Recently the government has unveiled the Agneepath scheme for the recruitment of soldiers in all the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force).
Today Current Affairs
Agneepath Scheme:
It allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the armed forces for a period of four years.
Under this scheme, the youth joining the army will be called Agniveer and the youth will be able to join the army for some time.
Under the new scheme, about 45,000 to 50,000 soldiers will be recruited annually and most will leave the service in just four years.
However, after four years only 25% of the batch will be re-admitted to their respective services for a period of 15 years.
Eligibility criteria : The Hindu Analysis
It is only for personnel below the rank of officer (who do not join the army as commissioned officers).
Commissioned officers are the highest rank officers of the army.
Commissioned officers hold a special rank in the Indian Armed Forces. They are often commissioned under the sovereign power of the President and are officially instructed to defend the country.
Candidates between the age of 17.5 years to 21 years will be eligible to apply.
Purpose : The Hindu Analysis
It aims to provide an opportunity to the patriotic and motivated youth to join the armed forces with ‘Josh’ and ‘Passion’.
This is expected to reduce the average age profile of the Indian Armed Forces by about 4 to 5 years.
The scheme envisages that the average age at present in the Armed Forces is 32 years, which will be reduced from 6-7 years to 26 years.
Benefits to Agniveers : The Hindu Analysis
Agniveers on completion of 4 years of service will be paid a lump sum ‘Seva Nidhi’ package of Rs.11.71 lakh which will include interest earned by them.
They will also get a life insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh for four years.
In case of death an amount exceeding Rs.1 crore including salary for the unpaid tenure.
The government will help in the rehabilitation of soldiers who leave the service after four years. They will be provided with skill certificates and bridge courses.
Related concerns:
Difficult to find another job : The Hindu Analysis
In the first year of the ‘Agneepath’ scheme, about 45,000 soldiers in the Army, Navy and Air Force will be recruited on short-term contracts of four years. Apart from 25% of them, the rest will have to be released from military service after the completion of the contract.
Four years of service would mean that other jobs would be out of their reach after that and soldiers who completed four years would not be eligible for re-service.
No Pension Benefit : The Hindu Analysis
Jawans appointed under the Agneepath scheme will be given a lump sum amount of little more than Rs 11 lakh at the end of their four-year term.
Although they will not receive any pension benefits, in such a situation it will be necessary for most to find another job to support themselves and their families.
Training remaining unused : The Hindu Analysis
The army will lose experienced soldiers.
Soldiers joining the Army, Navy and Air Force will be given technical training to support ongoing operations but these men and women will be out of service after four years, which can create a void.
Importance of such a step for the country:
Future Ready Soldier : The Hindu Analysis
It will create “future ready” troops.
More job opportunities:
This will increase employment opportunities and due to the skill and experience gained during the four years of service, such soldiers will get employment in various fields.
Highly Skilled Workforce : The Hindu Analysis
This will also lead to the availability of a highly-skilled workforce for the economy, which will lead to productivity gains and overall GDP growth.
Here we mention all information about Agneepath Scheme Today Current Affairs.
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