Context:
The ruling-party government’s ambitious Agnipath scheme, announced in June 2022, has been facing opposition from various political parties and Armed Forces veterans. Ongoing concerns highlight the scheme’s impact on military recruitment and the welfare of soldiers.
Relevance:
GS II- Government policies and Interventions
Dimensions of the Article:
- What is the Agnipath Scheme?
- Issues Associated with the Agnipath Scheme
What is the Agnipath Scheme?
- Definition of Agniveer: The term “Agniveer” translates to “Fire-Warriors” and signifies a new military rank.
- Purpose: The scheme aims to recruit army personnel below officer ranks, such as soldiers, airmen, and sailors who are not commissioned officers, into the Indian Armed Forces.
- Duration of Service: Recruits, called Agniveers, serve for 4 years. After this period, up to 25% can join on a permanent commission (another 15 years), subject to merit and organizational requirements.
- Eligibility: All sailors, airmen, and soldiers, except the medical branch’s technical cadre, are eligible for recruitment under this scheme.
- Age Criteria: Candidates aged 17.5 to 23 years can apply. The upper age limit was increased from 21.
- Gender Inclusion: Girls within the given age limit are eligible, although there is no specific reservation for women under this scheme.
- Benefits in Case of Death: Families receive a combined sum of ₹1 crore, including the Seva Nidhi package and the soldier’s unserved salary.
- Disability Compensation: Agniveers can get up to ₹44 lakh based on the disability’s severity, provided it results from or worsens due to military service.
- Pension: Agniveers do not receive a regular pension after their 4-year service, unlike traditional soldiers. Only the 25% selected for permanent commission are eligible for a pension.
- Objective: The scheme aims to keep the armed forces young and reduce the number of permanent soldiers, thus lowering the government’s pension expenses on defense forces.
Issues Associated with the Agnipath Scheme
- Compensation: The scheme offers a one-time payment of ₹11.71 lakh after 4 years but no gratuity or pension.
- Discontent: This has led to widespread dissatisfaction among aspirants seeking job security and pension benefits.
- Inadequate Term: The 4-year term is seen as too short, potentially resulting in recruits lacking the same motivation and training as permanent soldiers.
- Training Concerns: The brief duration may be insufficient to adequately train and skill soldiers, possibly leading to a deficit in experience and skills within the armed forces.
- Age Limit: The upper age limit of 23 years has excluded many youths who missed recruitment opportunities during the pandemic.
- Limited Absorption: With only 25% getting permanent absorption, the scheme may worsen the already high youth unemployment rate.
- Economic Challenges: This issue is compounded by wider economic difficulties, including rising inflation and inequalities.
- Lack of Consultation: Critics argue that the scheme was rushed without adequate consultation, possibly as a political move before elections. The absence of endorsement from defense forces raises further concerns.
- Cost-Cutting Measure: The scheme is viewed as a governmental effort to reduce defense pension expenditures, prioritizing financial savings over long-term force building.
-Source: The Hindu
