Agnipath scheme is a new methodology for the recruitment of soldiers in the Indian Armed Forces launched by the Government of India on 14th June 2022. Selected soldiers under this scheme will be known as Agniveers and will serve the Indian Armed Forces for a period of 4 years.
The Agniveers between the age group of 17 1/2 to 21 years will be recruited in the Armed Forces of India for the period of 4 years. After 4 years of service, Agniveers will go back to society and up to 25% of Agniveers of a specific batch will be recruited into the regular cadre based on their performance as Agniveers.
Agnipath Scheme: Selection Criteria and Enrolment
The candidates who aspire to become Agniveer and serve the Motherland have to fulfil certain conditions to join the Indian Armed Forces as Agniveers.
Age Limit: Candidates have to be in the age group of 17 1/2 to 21 years to join the forces as Agniveers. They will be enrolled for 4 years of service which will include a training Period.
Note: Upper Age Limit is 23 years for the 2022 recruitment only
Educational Qualifications: Educational qualifications required to be an Agniveer are 10+2/Intermediate Exam but for some specific trades 10th and 8th pass candidates are also allowed.
Medical Standards: Candidates must meet the Medical Standard laid down by the respective service for enrolment in the Indian Armed Forces.
Enrolment: Candidates will have to accept all the Terms and Conditions of the Agnipath Scheme. Personnel below the age of 18 years have to get their enrolment form signed by the Parents/guardians as per the current provisions.
Salary Structure and Allowances for Agniveers
Salary and Allowances paid to Agniveers are as follows:
| Service Year | Monthly Salary | In-Hand Salary | Agniveers Corpus Fund |
| 1st Year | 30,000 | 21,000 | 9,000 |
| 2nd Year | 33,000 | 23,100 | 9,900 |
| 3rd Year | 36,500 | 25,550 | 10,950 |
| 4th Year | 40,000 | 28,000 | 12,000 |
Agniveers will have to contribute their 30% of monthly salary to Agniveers Corpus Fund and the same amount will be contributed to Agniveers Corpus Fund by the Government of India.
Total Contribution in Agniveers Corpus Fund after four years will amount to 10.04 Lakh rupees excluding Interest.
Allowances: Agniveers are also entitled to various allowances like Risk and Hardship, Ration, Dress, and Travel Allowances as applicable.
Seva Nidhi Package: After the completion of 4 years of service, Agniveers will go back to society. Post-release 10.04 Lakh Rupees + Interest will be paid to Agniveers as Seva Nidhi Package (Tax-Free).
Compensation Provision in case of Death/Disability to Agniveers
Agniveers will get compensated for death if he attains Veergati in service of the Nation and also in case of Disability under the Agnipath Scheme. Lt General Anil Puri, additional secretary in the Department of Military Affairs said in a press conference on Sunday that Agniveers will get 1 crore Rupees compensation if he sacrifices his life in service of the nation.
Death Compensation-On Duty: Insurance Cover of Rs 48 lakhs, One-time Ex-Gratia Rs 44 Lakhs, and Full payment for the unserved period of the 4 years of service along with the Balance accumulated (as of date) in the individual’s
Seva Nidhi fund including interest and Government of India contribution.
Death Compensation-Off Duty: Insurance Cover of Rs 48 lakhs and Balance accumulated (as of date) in the individual’s
Seva Nidhi fund including interest and Government of India contribution.
Disability Compensation: Agniveers will also get compensated for Disability as per the provisions, on basis of the percentage of disability one has got. One time Ex-Gratia 44/25/15 Lakh Rupees for 100%/75%/50% disability will be paid respectively based on the percentage of disability.
Full payment for the unserved period of the 4 years of service along with the Balance accumulated (as of date) in the individual’s Seva Nidhi fund including interest and Government of India contribution.
Post Retirement Benefits to Agniveers
Seva Nidhi Package: Post-release Agniveers will be entitled to the Seva Nidhi package of approximately 11.71 Lakh rupees including interest (Tax-free).
Agniveer Skill Certificate: At the end of their service of years Agniveers will get a skill Certificate that will highlight the skills and level of competency acquired by them during the 4 years of service as an Agniveer.
Intermediate Certificate: Candidates who have enrolled themselves for Agnipath Scheme to Join the Armed forces after completing their 10th standard will get a 12th pass certificate which will be recognized across the country for employment and higher education.
Reservation for Agniveers:
- 10% reservation in Indian Coast Guard and Defence posts, and all 16 Defence PSUs.
- 10% reservation in Central Armed Police forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles.
- Preference to be given to Agniveers in State Police Recruitment by various State Governments.
Agniveer Recruitment Notification 2022
Agniveers recruitment in the Indian Armed Forces under the Agnipath Scheme will begin soon. Recruitment notifications are out by the Indian Air Force and Indian Army for the intake of Agniveers. Indian Navy will release the recruitment notification soon.
Indian Air Force: Indian Air Force released a notification for the recruitment of Agniveervayu under the Agnipath Scheme. Online registration for Agniveer intake in the Indian Air force commences from 24th June 2022 to 5th July 2022. Online Exam for Agniveer intake in the Indian Air Force will begin on 24th July 2022 onwards.
Indian Army: Indian Army released a recruitment notification on 20th June 2022 for the recruitment of Agniveers under the Agnipath Scheme in the Indian army. Online Rally registration commences on 1st July 2022 and the recruitment rally will begin in the 2nd week of August 2022. Combined entrance exams will be held on 16th October 2022 and 13th November 2022.
Indian Navy: Indian Navy will release the recruitment notification for the recruitment of Agniveers in the Indian Navy on 25th June 2022.
Note: For more detailed information refer to the official recruitment notification released by the respective services on their official website.
The Author’s Point of View on Agnipath Recruitment Scheme 2022
The Agnipath Scheme 2022 is a great initiative by the Government of India and the Indian Defence Services that will help the Defence Forces to recruit the best of the best soldiers in the Indian Armed Forces.
The Agniveers who will go back to society will be Military trained, disciplined, and skilled personnel. They can apply for the enrolment in Permanent cadre of the Armed Forces.
They can even join the public sector or private sector as per their wish or can start their own business with the help of the Seva Nidhi Package and the bank loan scheme is also available.
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In a war-like situation, these Military trained Agniveers can be called upon by their respective services back into the service. In this way, the Forces will not have to waste their time and energy training new cadets instead they will have a pool of already trained personnel.
Conclusion
Agnipath scheme is a new methodology for the recruitment of soldiers in the Indian Armed Forces launched by the Government of India on 14th June 2022. The Agniveers between the age group of 17 1/2 to 21 years will be recruited in the Armed Forces for a period of 4 years.
After 4 years of service, the Military trained, disciplined, and skilled Agniveers will go back to society, and up to 25% of Agniveers will be selected for enrolment in the permanent cadre of the Armed Forces.