Agnipath Scheme

Context: After the election results, NDA allies, raised the issue of Agnipath and called for a discussion on it. The government is open to changes and discussions are on.

About Agnipath Yojana: 

• Launched in: 2022
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Defence
• Aim: To ensure a youthful profile for the forces.
• Eligibility: 17.5 to 21 years.
• Key features: Replaces the permanent recruitment process in the armed forces.
• It is a new human resource management scheme for the Armed Forces. Candidates inducted through this scheme will be called Agniveers.
• Agniveers are recruited for four years on the completion of which, up to 25% would be selected into the regular ranks on a permanent basis.
• The Army is inducting 40,000 Agniveers per year and the Navy and Air Force are recruiting around 3,000 Agniveers each. 
• Agniveers during their tenure can get class 12 certificates or a Bachelor’s degree in addition to other skill certificates and when leaving after four years will get a lumpsum amount but are not eligible for pension. 
• On completion of the engagement period of four years, Agniveers will be paid a one-time ‘SevaNidhi’ packagewhich shall comprise their contribution including accrued interest thereon and a matching contribution from the Government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution

Benefits of Agnipath Scheme

• For Youth: Allow young people to get employed, support their family and wear the uniform. It will inculcate values of discipline, sacrifice, teamwork, physical fitness, ingrained loyalty for the country and brotherhood. They will be provided with adequate re-employment opportunities for those returning to society and could emerge as role models for the youth. Agniveers will get preference in PSUs, and State Governments’ jobs.
• For the society: After serving the tenure, youth will be able to contribute to other sectors more effectively. Trained personnel will be available to boost national security in times of external threats, internal threats and natural disasters.
• Keeping the Army youthful
• Aims to reduce average age of Indian army. Presently, more than 60% of men are above 30 years of age.
• Currently, number of junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and equivalent ranks is disproportionately higher due to regular promotions.
• Recruiting ever greater numbers simply to keep the armed forces youthful is unsustainable. Agnipath will help keep in check the absolute numbers while ensuring a constant stream of young recruits.
• Modernizing Military
• Provide army with youthful tech savvy soldiers.
• Across the globe, there is a trend towards reduction in the number of personnel and emphasis on increasing capital expenditure on modern weapons and equipment.
• China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) underwent a massive demobilisation from 1980s onwards, bringing down total numbers from 4.5 million to about 2 million, with focus on modernisation.
• In many modern armed forces, service period ranges from 2 to 8 years with options for active and reservist service.
• Israeli army has service of 30 months and 22 months respectively for men and women yet enjoys a reputation for being among the best in the world. USA and UK have shorter duration contracts. France has short duration contracts of between one and 10 years depending on specialisation
• Budgetary Constraint: Ballooning salary and pension bills have placed enormous stress on the availability of funds for military modernisation.
• Modern Warfare: Contactless warfare in the digital era means that future wars will be fought with artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, stand-off weapons, cyber space and space based ISR (Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance) playing a key role. Agniveers will inject additional skill sets into the armed forces, besides bringing down the average age by 4-5 years.
• Changes colonial set up of army: In the colonial era, British used a divide-and-rule policy, including in armed forces. Mixed regiments based on AIAC intake are in keeping with the changing times.
• The 25% conversion rate to regular soldiers may worsen the shortage.

Criticism

• No pilot project to test the scheme
• Will dilute professionalism, military ethos & fighting spirit
• Takes 7-8 years to become a fully trained combat-ready soldierAgniveers will be risk-averse, with Lead to the bulk looking for a second careerWill hit the basic ethos of 'Naam, Namak and Nishaan' (reputation of battalion, fidelity & ensign/colours) for which soldiers fight
• Lead to militarisation of society with around 35,000 combat-trained youth being rendered jobless every year.
• The Army faces a personnel shortage, as 60,000 annual retirements and only 40,000 new recruits yearly, a deficiency exacerbated by the COVID-19 recruitment halt for over two and a half years.
  • The 25% conversion rate to regular soldiers may worsen the shortage.

Way forward

• For enhancing intake numbers, increasing the permanent recruitment from 25% to at least 50%.
• Increase the age limit for entry though the technical route from 21 to 23 years to attract enough technically qualified individuals.
• The Indian Army suggested increasing the service period for Agniveers from 4 years to 7-8 years.
• Agniveers should receive a contributory pension plan, a generous gratuity, and compensation for any disabilities incurred during training.
• Comprehensive training and skill programs should be provided to help Agniveers smoothly transition into civilian life.

National unity, camaraderie and bonding, including in armed forces, should not be predicated on caste, community, religion, language or provincial affiliation but on the more equitable notion of being a patriotic Indian. Agnipath scheme attempts to address this requirement.