The Agneepath scheme in the army will recruit 'Agniveer' for four years

- A radical change in the recruitment of soldiers in the country

- Benefits to firefighters: Rs. 11.71 lakh, insurance cover of Rs. 48 lakh, Rs. 1 crore

New Delhi: The Union government on Tuesday unveiled a 'Agneepath' scheme to radically change the recruitment process in all three wings of the Indian Army. Under the scheme, 'Agniveer' personnel will be recruited in the Army, Navy and Air Force on short-term contracts. The scheme aims to reduce the burden of rising salaries and pensions on the army as well as attract young people to the army through attractive pay scales. Under the scheme, firefighters will be recruited in the army for a period of four years. After the Cabinet Committee headed by Prime Minister Modi approved the recruitment scheme, the Defense Minister presented details of the new initiative.

The scheme was announced by the presidents of the three wings of the army in the presence of the defense minister at the Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi. Lieutenant Anil Puri said that the scheme would reduce the average age of the army. At present this age was 3 years, which will be reduced to 3 to 4 years. Under the Agneepath scheme, the youth will get a good career in the army. The firefighters will be recruited for four years. This year, 5,000 firefighters will be recruited in 90 days. Out of the soldiers recruited under this scheme, 3% of the soldiers will be recruited in the army on a permanent basis. Under this scheme, firefighters will be given six months training.

He said that under this scheme, both young men and women would get the opportunity to join the army. The age for application of Agnivir will be from 18.5 years to 21 years. However, the rules of medical and physical fitness for firefighters will be the same as for other soldiers. Under this scheme 10th and 12th standard pass youths will be given the opportunity to be recruited as firefighters in different posts.

Anil Puri said that in the first year of his four-year career as a soldier, firefighters will get an annual package of Rs 2.5 lakh, which will increase to Rs 3.5 lakh by the end of the fourth year. That means Agnivir's monthly salary in the first year is Rs. 50,000, out of which Rs. 21,000 will come into his hands. The remaining amount will be deposited in a separate fund and the government will contribute the same amount. Then in the second, third and fourth year the salary of firefighters was Rs. 3,000, Rs. 5,500 and Rs. 20,000. Each firefighter will receive a service fund package of Rs. 11.61 lakh, which will be tax free.

However, firefighters will not get the benefits of graduation and pension. He was paid Rs. 2 lakh life insurance cover. After completing four years of service, the firefighters will be awarded the 'Firefighter Skill Certificate', which will help them get another job after serving in the army. In addition, firefighters will be given the opportunity to apply for permanent recruitment in the Armed Forces, depending on the needs and policy of the Army.

Army Chief General Manoj Pandey said that the new process will radically change our recruitment process. However, no compromise will be made with the physical, medical and professional criteria and norms for recruitment of soldiers. Currently, the Army recruits young men for an initial period of 10 years under the Short Service Commission, which can be extended up to 15 years. The government's intention behind the new recruitment process is to reduce the burden of salaries and pensions.