'Josh' & 'Jazba': Cabinet clears Agnipath scheme for recruitment of youth in armed forces

Hyderabad: The Union Cabinet on 14 June approved a recruitment scheme called Agnipath that will allow Indian youth to serve in the armed forces. Youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers, and they will be allowed to serve in the armed forces for four years.

The government hopes to attract young talent who are more in tune with contemporary technological trends and "plough back skilled, disciplined and motivated manpower into the society."

"As for the armed forces, it will enhance the youthful profile of the armed forces and provide a fresh lease of 'Josh' and 'Jazba' whilst at the same time bring about a transformational shift towards more tech-savvy armed forces – which is indeed the need of the hour," the government said in a press release.

The implementation of the scheme is likely to bring down the average age profile of the Indian armed forces by about 4-5 years.

The government plans to recruit 46,000 Agniveers this year. Recruitment rallies will commence in 90 days.

Compensation and benefits

Agniveers will be given an attractive customised monthly package along with risk and hardship allowances as applicable in the three services. On completion of the engagement period of four years, they will be paid one-time 'Seva Nidhi' package of Rs. 11.71 lakh that will comprise their contribution, including accrued interest thereon, and a matching contribution from the government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution, including interest.

The 'Seva Nidhi' will be exempt from Income Tax. Agniveers will not be entitled to gratuity and pensionary benefits but will be provided non-contributory life insurance cover of Rs. 48 lakhs for the duration of their engagement period.

Upon the completion of four years of service, based on organisational requirements and policies promulgated by the armed forces from time to time, Agniveers will be offered an opportunity to apply for permanent enrolment in the armed forces. The individuals, selected for enrolment in the armed forces as regular cadre, would be required to serve for a further engagement period of minimum 15 years and would be governed by the existing terms and conditions of service of junior commissioned officers/other ranks in the Indian Army and their equivalent in the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force and that of non-combatant enrolled in the Indian Air Force, as amended from time to time.