Agnipath scheme: Key changes made by Centre for 'Agniveers'


Key Amendments to Agnipath Scheme: Amid outrage and violent protests, the central government has rolled out several amendments and support measures in the recently unveiled  Agnipath recruitment scheme into the armed forces.

This has been done to calm down the protestors because protestors in several parts of the country are of the view that, this scheme will limit the opportunities for permanent jobs in defence forces, that provide fixed salaries, pensions along with other benefits.

About Agnipath scheme:

  • Under the scheme, youths will be enrolled for four years in service.
  • After completion of the tenure, 25% of Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted into the regular cadre.
  • 75% will be demobilized with a generous exit package of Rs 11.71 lakh,.
  • They will be given priority in government services like CAPFs, and state police forces.

What are the amendments?

The lists of amendments made in the Agnipath scheme are as follows:

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the reservation of 10 percent of the job vacancies in Ministry of Defence for Agniveers who meet the requisite eligibility criteria.
  • It would be in addition to existing reservation for ex-servicemen.
  • The 10 percent reservation will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard and defence posts, and all the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (HAL, BEL, BEML, BDL, GRSE, GSL, HSL, MDL, Midhani, AVNL, AWEIL, MIL,YIL, GIL, IOL, TCL).
  • The Centre has decided to increase the upper age limit in the eligibility criteria of Agnipath scheme from 21 years to 23 years for the recruitment cycle of 2022.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced a 10 per cent reservation in vacancies and upper age limit for recruitment in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles for Agniveers after completing four years.
  • Thus, the upper age limit for CAPFs now stands at 26 years.
  • For the first batch of Agniveers, the age relaxation will be of five years taking it to 28 years.
  • The Directorate General of Shipping under Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) along with Indian Navy has announced a system for the smooth induction of the Agniveers into the Merchant Navy.
  • The National institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) under Department of school education, has announced that it will start a special programme, to enable 10th pass Agniveers to further their education and obtain 12th class pass certificate through customized courses.
  • A three-year skill-based bachelor’s degree programme for Agniveers will be launched by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in order to recognize the skill of the Agniveers and to equip them for various job roles in the civilian sector.
  • Skill India and the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship will work collaboratively with the Armed Forces to train students in additional skills to make them better suited for civilian jobs.

 


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