Just a day after Defence Minister Rajanath Singh announced the Agnipath recruitment scheme on Tuesday (June 14), the “transformative scheme” of the Indian Armed Forces caused outrage and protests in Bihar and other remote parts of the country.

While the government claims that the Indian Armed Forces recruitment scheme will increase employment opportunities by leveraging a wide range of skills from various sectors, the opposition refuses to acknowledge this.

Introducing the scheme at a summit in Delhi defence minister had said that “the Federal Council on Security has chosen to take a legendary decision today to authorise the revolutionary scheme of ‘Agnipath’.”

Though protests against the new recruitment scheme, known as the “agneepath yojana,” continue, here are some key features of the Agneetpath scheme:

What is the Agneepath Scheme 2022?

This programme involves a recruitment process for people with ranks below those of officers, with the goal of delivering fitter, younger troops to the front lines, most of whom will be on four-year contracts. It’s a game-changer for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, giving them a more youthful image.

Agneepath Scheme Eligibility Criteria

All three services will be enrolled through a centralised online system, with rallies and campus interviews conducted by recognised technical schools including Industrial Training Institutes and perhaps the National Skills Qualifications Framework, among many others.

Enrollment will be on a ‘All India, All Class’ basis, with ages ranging from 17.5 to 21 being eligible. Agniveers would then encounter the medical necessities for military enlistment in their respective categories/trades.

Class 10 is the minimum educational requirement for becoming a General Duty (GD) soldier, and Agniveers’ academic interests will continue to be popular for enrollment in a variety of categories.

Salary Package for Agneepath Recruitment 2022

The salary package for the first year is Rs 4.76 lakh, rising to Rs 6.92 lakh in the fourth year. The Seva Nidhi package costs around Rs 11.71 lakh after the release, along with interest (tax free) There is also a non-contributory insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh. Individuals who earn an Agniveer skill certificate will have an easier time finding post-release employment.

Terms of Service for the Agneepath Army

After four years of service, 25% of Agnives will be retained in the regular cadre on the basis of willingness, merit, and medical fitness.

They will then be re-elected for a 15-year term. While the remaining 75% of Agniveers will be demobilised, they will be given an exit package worth Rs 11-12 lakh, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans to assist them in their second careers.

Agneepath Yojana 2022: The Scheme’s Benefits

It offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for young people to serve there own country as well as contribute to the national development. The Armed Forces would be more energetic and youthful.

The Agniveers will be paid well and given the chance to prepare in the strongest military spirit in civil society and institutions also while enhancing their skills and experience. As a result, civil society will have well-trained and competent youth with a military mindset.

Agneepath Recruitment 2022: Female Reservation

Girls underneath the prescribed age category are eligible for agneepath admission, but specific reservation for women isn’t included in this scheme.

“For the modern era, the Agnipath scheme is a novel concept. An idea conceived in India and for India’s people. An idea that will have a positive impact on the human resource management of the armed forces,” the Indian Navy’s Admiral R Hari Kumar expressed his views on the Agnipath recruitment scheme.

He furthermore stated that women will be chosen through the scheme, and that the Indian Navy will now have sailors instead of only female officers.

Agneepath Army: Defense Budget

The military budget for 2022-23 was Rs 5,25,166 crore, with Rs 1,19,696 crore set aside for military pensions. The budget for revenue expenditure was Rs 2,33,000 crore. Expenditure for salaries and wages and establishment maintenance are included in the revenue expenditure.