Agnipath: A Transformative Scheme of Epic Magnitude

In a departure from the age-old recruitment policy, the Central Government announced introduction of Agnipath scheme in June 2022. It was made applicable to all fresh recruitment of soldiers, sailors and airmen. All recruits would be known as Agniveers.

To start with, the government planned to recruit 40,000 Agniveers in 2022. Intake of Agniveers would increase progressively till the required ratio of 50:50 of regulars and Agniveers is achieved.

It has been estimated that the scheme will help reduce the average age of the armed forces from the present 32 years to 24-26 years.

Agnipath provides a four-year tenure with no gratuity or pension benefits. At the end of four years, up to 25 percent willing Agniveers will be absorbed in the regular cadre. Other Agniveers will be given priority for employment in various state-owned entities and in state police forces. In Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles, ten percent seats will be reserved for Agniveers. Even Home and Defence Ministries will reserve ten percent jobs for them.

The entry age for enrolment is 17.5 to 21 years. Recruitment is carried out on ‘All-India-All-Class’ basis. Candidates for Agniveer General Duty positions should have successfully completed Class 10 or Matriculation. They must satisfy laid down physical and medical standards. The scheme requires Agniveers to be unmarried at the time of recruitment. Further, they will not be permitted to marry during their entire tenure of four years.

Agniveers get a monthly composite salary of Rs 30,000 in the first year, progressively increasing to Rs 40,000 by the fourth year. In addition, they get all authorised allowances. During the period of service, 30 percent of the salary is deducted from the Agniveer’s monthly pay towards the Seva Nidhi corpus. The Government of India also contributes an equivalent amount. At the completion of four years period, an Agniveer gets a tax-exempted amount of Rs 10.04 lakhs plus accrued interest (around Rs 11.71 lakhs in total) from the Seva Nidhi.

All Agniveers get an “Agniveer Skill Certificate” highlighting the skills and competency levels gained by the individual during the service. The individuals who enrol after passing 10th Standard, receive a Class 12 Certificate.

In case of demise as a battle casualty, the emoluments that the NoK would receive include Rs 48 lakh non-contributory insurance, Rs 44 lakh ex-gratia and his Seva Nidhi credits – the total sum adding up to close to Rs one crore.

The Criticism

Reforms are always resented, especially by habitual dissenters and compulsive critics. For, status quo provides a sense of security whereas reforms mean deviation from the old well-treaded path. In the case of Agnipath, criticism is generally centred on three issues. These are discussed hereunder.

Short tenure of four years is considered to be the most dissuasive aspect of the scheme.

It must be recalled that prior to 1965, colour service was only seven years and nearly two-third strength retired without pension. To support their families, most discharged soldiers went back to agriculture or took up other vocations. Life was tough for them, as most of them had little education and starting afresh at the age of 27-30 posed considerable challenges.

In contrast, Agniveers will complete their engagement at the comparatively young age of 21.5 to 25 years. Being unmarried, they would have limited family responsibilities. Up to 25 percent will be absorbed in the Army while vast opportunities exist for the others for employment in various government entities. Even the private sector has declared that they would give preference to Agniveers. Thus, availability of a second career will never be an issue.

Moreover, all Agniveers will have a minimum 12th class certificate. They can enrol for special courses announced by the National Institute of Open Schooling to acquire additional skills. Those with entrepreneur flair can start a business with Sewa Nidhi of Rs 11.71 lakhs. The government will help all such start-ups.

Many critics have highlighted the fact that NoK of a martyred Agniveer will get less amount than regular soldiers. Non-grant of the status of ex-servicemen is another sore point.

It is agreed that NoK of a martyred Agniveer will get less emoluments than a regular. But it is an unfair comparison as the service conditions of the two streams are different. Even then, the package in the case of Agniveers is in excess of Rs one crore. Incidentally, martyred Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman’s family received a total amount of Rs 1.3 crores, including grants from the Army’s various welfare funds. In addition, his family will continue to receive full pay till the end of his 4-year service period.

As regards the status of ex-servicemen with associated privileges, it is not granted even to the Short Service Commissioned (SSC) officers.

Concerns have been expressed that the discharged Agniveers may become disgruntled and prove to be a threat to the society and national security as they would be well-versed with the use of firearms.

An Agniveer will never be a threat to the society or nation as military training instils a sense of discipline and nationalism in every soldier. Even earlier, soldiers got demobilised after seven years of service, they never took up arms to threaten nation’s well-being. It is simply beyond imagination that a soldier (Agniveer or otherwise) will ever misuse his training to harm the country. Apparently, the doubting sceptics are unaware of the impact of military service on human psyche.

An Appraisal

Attractiveness of any job is judged by its Applicant to Post Ratio (APR). It indicates the number of candidates aspiring for a given post. Under Indian Army Agniveer Recruitment Notification 2024, a total of 25,000 vacancies have been released. In response, over 12.8 lakh applications have been received – an impressive APR of 51.2. It implies that over 50 aspirants are vying for each post. Incidentally, it is 10 percent more than 11.3 lakh applications received in 2023. It shows that the popularity of Agnipath scheme is growing and the misplaced apprehensions peddled by the cynics are abating.

The Air Force seems to be doing even better. It has received 7.5 lakh applications for 3,000 vacancies – a whopping APR of 250.

In every recruitment, a number of vacancies are reserved under Unit Headquarter Quota (UHQ). These vacancies are meant for the sons of war widows, soldiers’ widows, serving soldiers and ex-servicemen, and brothers of serving personnel. Even UHQ has been getting over-subscribed. It goes to prove that Agnipath scheme is considered attractive even by the servicemen who are fully conversant with all aspect of service life/career.

When the first batch of Agniveers was under training at the Bombay Sappers Centre, I carried out informal interaction with the training officers and instructors to learn about their physical fitness, academic qualifications, enthusiasm, resoluteness and urge to excel. They were full of praise for the whole batch. According to them, all the Agniveers were highly motivated and demonstrated a distinct urge to do well in the Army. Despite the fact that they had to undergo rigorous training in a short period, there were no complaints or drop-outs.

Most Agniveers are highly educated – even graduates and post-graduates. They are fast learners and quick on the uptake.

During my recent visits to Kashmir (21-28 March 24) and Ladakh (29 Apr-07 May 24), I had an opportunity to interact with a large number of stakeholders to get first hand feedback on Agniveers. They were deployed in all arms and services in the high-altitude area. Every single officer (including Commanding Officers), JCO and NCO spoke high of their level of motivation and drive. In fact, most JCOs felt that there was no difference between the fighting prowess of a regular and an Agniveer.

Many purists have been voicing their apprehensions about the likely adverse effect of the scheme on the morale, ethos and regimental spirit. I made it a point to question the officers and JCOs on this issue. Not one had a negative statement to make. For that matter, most were effusive in their admiration of the way the Agniveers had got assimilated in their units in such a short time and become valued assets. In short, Agnipath scheme has had no adverse impact of any nature on the combat effectiveness of the units. On the contrary, due to their youthful profile, Agniveers are much sought after.

During casual interaction, all Agniveers appeared confident and gave convincing reasons for joining the scheme. All said that they had come of their own free will as they find the scheme highly rewarding. Many have already made up their mind to serve only for four years and thereafter embark on new ventures with a kitty of Rs 11 lakhs. All were very clear in their thinking and future plans. There was no confusion in their minds whatsoever.

Here are some interesting responses –

“Agniveer will be a badge of honour and I want to earn it.”

“For me, it will be a four-year adventure expedition and I am looking forward to it.”

“I am a post-graduate. With Seva Nidhi, I will take coaching for two years and thereafter appear for the civil services examination. Agniveer will make me a better aspirant.”

“I am a science graduate and want to start my own business of electronic switches. I do not have the capital. Seva Nidhi will provide the finance.”

“I want to be a regular soldier. If I fail to make the grade, I will do a professional course under the government’s scheme to acquire suitable skills for another career.”

“This scheme gives us an option to quit after four years if we so desire.”

When asked about the uncertainty of future career. The common response was, “If officers can come for five years, why this fear for us! In any case, no one is forcing us to join as Agniveers.”

Conclusion

As is apparent from the above discussion, Agnipath scheme is a resounding success, compulsive fault-finders notwithstanding. As the acceptance of the scheme gains further ground, the Army will attract more talent.

The Army is highly upbeat about it. Units are getting younger, spirited, better educated and tech-savvy soldiers who are putting in their best to secure a slot in 25 percent permanent absorption. As the final selection will be merit and performance based, the Army will get the cream as its permanent cadre.

The society and the country will benefit when Agniveers return after completing their tenure. They will contribute to nation building in myriad fields with their nationalist fervour and disciplined work-culture. Skills acquired by them during their army tenure will trigger muti-faceted development. They are going to prove to be an invaluable national asset.

Agniveers will form a distinct segment of the society. The society will look up to them with respect. In fact, they will be the role-models for other young men, inspiring them to join the scheme.

For Agniveers, enormous employment opportunities will open up. They will be much sought after, both by the public and the private sector enterprises, who will consider it a matter of pride and honour to have Agniveers on their rolls.

Opposition to Agnipath scheme was always expected from those quarters that are inimical to reforms and whose sole agenda is to oppose and impede progress. Their opposition to the scheme lacks judicious, rational and insightful reasoning. It is apparently based on some outlandishly preposterous misconceptions. One critic has gone to the extent of faulting the no-marriage condition. He feels that it is unfair to the youngsters who prefer to get married at the age of 20. How ridiculous can the opposition get!

In the recent past, it has been seen that some anti-national elements have been spreading the canard that Agnipath scheme is meant for the poor, backward classes and minorities; while regular recruitment is for the privileged. Nothing can be farther from the truth. For, there is no regular recruitment now. The only way to join the army is through Agnipath and it is open to all Indians without any consideration of caste, region and religion. Apparently, efforts are being made to sow seeds of dissentions through such disinformation.

Finally, true test of national leadership is not routine governance but ability to take bold and radical decisions to improve the system. Requirement of inventive policy initiatives and concrete action plans can never be fulfilled by the status-quoists. The government deserves credit for the long overdue reforms in the recruitment policy.

Article by

Major General Mrinal Suman

AVSM, VSM, PhD, commanded an Engineer Regiment in the Siachen-Kargil sector. He was also the Task Force Commander at Pokhran and was responsible for designing and sinking shafts for the nuclear tests of May 1998. He is a highly qualified officer – B Tech, MA (Pub Adm), MSc (Def Studies) and Doctorate in Public Administration. He is a prolific writer having published nine books and over 550 articles.