Thread by @nsitharaman

1/My heartiest congratulations and gratitude to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi and Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh for announcing this historic package – Agnipath - which is a transformative scheme that will change the profile of the armed forces. #BharatKeAgniveer

2/The Scheme will give an opportunity to the youth between the ages of 17.5 and 21 years to receive military training and serve the nation for a period of 4 years, with a provision of voluntary retention after this period, based on merit. #BharatKeAgniveer

3/The advantages of the Scheme are manifold to the armed forces, to the nation, and to the Agniveers. The armed forces will get a youthful profile, with personnel that are younger, fitter, diverse, and more trainable in a changing technological environment. #BharatKeAgniveer

4/The nation will benefit from the availability of a well-disciplined & skilled youth with military ethos in civil society, which will go a long way in nation-building. #BharatKeAgniveer

5/The Agniveers will get an opportunity to serve the nation, imbibe the military discipline, ethos and skilling, thereby improving their future prospects, a good financial package with several benefits, and a unique résumé. #BharatKeAgniveer

6/At the end of 4 years, Agniveers can leave the service with heads held high,and revert to society as disciplined, trained, skilled citizen. A special package has been created for Agniveers by the @DefenceMinIndia & @FinMinIndia, called the Seva Nidhi package. #BharatKeAgniveer

7/Two highly progressive aspects of Agnipath is that it is open to both men and women, as per the service requirement, and it includes a system that would be put in place to give 12th class certificate to the Agniveers. #BharatKeAgniveer