Agnipath Scheme would affect a youthful profile to the Army
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 15
The Indian Army saw no fresh recruitment of foot soldiers for two consecutive years in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, the military establishment had to suspend fresh recruitments owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and it was assumed recruitment would restart the next year. It did happen as mass recruitment rallies, including in Nagaland, were conducted in military cantonments in 2021 across the country where young hopefuls turned up for the physical tests. But for the ones who passed the initial tests, the ‘calling letters’ did not come their way as anticipated even after more than a year.
The answer to that came on June 14 in the form of a new recruitment policy— Agnipath Scheme, for the armed forces, which was announced by the Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh.
The Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing), in a media release on June 14, said, “This is a major defence policy reform introduced by the Government to usher in a new era in the human resource policy of the three services. The policy, which comes into immediate effect, will hereafter govern the enrolment for the three services.”
While it has had its share of criticism, the military establishment has maintained that the new recruitment policy would only bode well for the Indian armed forces.
Addressing a press conference today at the Rangapahar Military Station, in Dimapur, Maj Gen RS Guraya, Chief of Staff, 3 Corps Headquarter, said that it, besides bringing down the average age of soldiers in the India Army, will pave the way towards a balanced representation of India’s diversity.
He said, “Change is law of nature. If you don’t change, you break. We have to embrace change. And we have to move with the time. Yes, there will be difference of opinions. Everyone in this has country opinion... We have considered this Agnipath and agniveer proposals for quite some time. Deliberations have happened with all stakeholders. The pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages have been discussed and only then the decision at the government level has been taken. I feel we must give it a chance.”
He further said that the new policy would “reflect the true demography of the nation… ensuring that we have representation from all districts of the country.” Presently, about 70 percent of the Indian Army comes from just 168 districts of the total 775 districts. “We want to ensure that there is equal representation by all states, by all the resident of the nation,” he added.
He estimated that the Agnipath Scheme would gradually reduce the average age of the army from 32 to 26 years over the next 7-8 years affecting “youthful profile” of the Army. As informed during the announcement, fresh recruitment rallies are set to start in 90 days.
The new recruits or ‘Agniveers,’ under the new scheme, will serve for a period of 4 years. After the 4-year tenure, they will have the option to continue as “permanent cadre” but only after passing certain criteria. The re-absorption limit however has been set at 25 percent. Those who do not make the cut will retire with assure contributory pension benefits.
According to him, the capability of the Indian Armed forces during the implementation and stabilization of the scheme, the Army’s operational capabilities and preparedness will be fully maintained.
“We are confident this new change will bring new vigour and confidence in the India Army and make it stronger, more capable and stride with the future,” he said.
Queried on the fate of candidates, who passed the physical tests during the recruitment rally in 2021, he said, “I will not be able to answer this question. We will get back to you on this.”
The PRO (Defence), Kohima later informed that instruction with regard to the 2021 recruitment rally in Dimapur is being awaited.
