Agnipath military recruitment scheme

Highlights:

• The Indian government has introduced the Agnipath Military recruitment scheme, a 4-year tenure scheme for the defense troops.
• The scheme will facilitate the induction of more troops for shorter-term tenures. 
• The scheme has been planned and is being implemented by the Department of Military Affairs.

• ‘Agnipath’ is a short-term service youth recruitment scheme for the armed forces that operates across India. Agniveers will be the name given to those chosen for the scheme, and they will serve in a variety of terrain such as deserts, mountains, land, sea, and air.
• Approximately 45,000 people between the ages of 17.5 and 21 will be inducted into the service for a four-year period under the scheme. 
• The recruitment process will begin in the next 90 days, with the first batch expected to be completed by July 2023.
• In a one-time waiver, the Central government has increased the upper age limit for the Agnipath scheme from 21 to 23 years (First Batch only).
• The selection will be made using a centralised online method. 
• Agniveers will be required to have the same educational requirements as normal officers in the armed forces.
• Women will be inducted in the ‘Agnipath’ scheme as well.
• After four years, Agniveers would be given the option to voluntarily apply for registration in the permanent cadre. 
• These applications will be evaluated based on merit and service performance. 
• It’s possible that up to 25 per cent of submissions will be accepted.
• Agniveers will be hired for four years under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme and will get intensive military training. 
• They will be given a monthly wage of Rs. 30,000 to Rs.40,000 per month, plus allowances.