Thread by @shona_sassy

New recruitment scheme 'Agnipath' has stoked a major debate. While govt has termed it transformative, the lawmakers in opposition have questioned the intentions of the govt. Protests were held by youth at various places in the country. Whats the process & the concerns
THREAD👇

It provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the youth to serve their country & contribute to national development. The Armed Forces would be younger & more vibrant.The Agniveers will have opportunity to train in the best military ethos in civil society & institutions,

As well as improve their skills and qualifications. This will make well-disciplined and skilled youth with military ethos in the civil society.

The new system would help bring down the average age of the armed forces. In the Army, the average age would drop from 32 to 26.

This move comes in a bid to slash the ballooning salary and pension bills.

Agnipath is a pan India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen & sailors. All those recruited under the 'Agnipath' scheme will be called 'Agniveers'.

The ‘Agniveers’ ll get a monthly salary of ₹ 30k-40k, 25% ll be inducted into regular cadres of armed forces to serve another 15 yrs. Remaining 75% ll be demobilised after 4 yrs getting a ‘Seva Nidhi’ exit package of ₹ 11.71 lakh, half of which ll be their own contributions.

1st yr salary package of ₹ 4.76 lakh with upgradation of up to ₹ 6.92 lakh in 4th yr.There’s also a non-contributory insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh. Provided the individuals receive a Agniveer skill certificate which will assist in post release job opportunities.

The Agnipath scheme will also be “progressively opened” for women based on service requirements.

100% candidates can apply on volunteer basis to enrol in regular cadre. For all Agniveers who achieve martyrdom, full payment of unserved service years will be given.

● They ll be entitled to awards, medals & insurance cover like the regular cadre of soldiers, airmen & sailors.
● Corpus of ₹ 10.04 lakhs plus accrued interest exempted from Income Tax, aftr 4 years. Death Compensation
● Non-contributory life insurance cover of ₹ 48 lakhs.

● Additional Ex Gratia of ₹ 44 lakhs for death attributable to service.
● Pay for unserved portion upto 4 yrs including 'Seva Nidhi' component. Disability Compensation
● Compensation based on the % disability laid down by medical authorities.

● One time ex-gratia of ₹ 44/25/15 lakhs for 100%/75%/50% disability respectively.

Govt will help rehabilitate soldiers who leave the services after 4 yrs.They will be provided with skill certificates & bridge courses. Agniveer skill certificate ll assist in post release jobs.

To enhance the future career prospects of the ‘Agniveers’, Ministry of Education has announced the launch of a special 3 yr skill-based bachelor's degree programme that will recognise the skill training received by them during their tenure in the defence establishments.

Army, Navy and Air Force will sign a Memorandum of Understand (MoU) with IGNOU for the implementation of the programme.
The degree will be offered by the IGNOU & will be recognised both in India and abroad for employment and education.

MHA announced Agniveers ll get priority when recruiting for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) & Assam rifles. States including UP, MP & Haryana announced preference will be given in state police forces and related services after completing 4 years in service

Eventually all the states will follow the suit & center ll also come up with plans to enhance career opportunities. At the age of 23 having corpus fund of 11-12 lakhs will encourage entrepreneurship or can do any other job of their choice or can also apply for regular Army cadre.

Why the youth is protesting?
◆"Agnipath" scheme proposes the recruitment of jawans on a contractual basis for a 4yr period followed by compulsory retirement for most without gratuity & pension benefits.
◆Due to the closure of Army recruitment for the past 3 yrs due to Covid

◆ 'No recruitment' by the armed forces despite aspirants having passed the requisite physical tests.

◆ Apprehensions tht like contractual hiring in Railways & lateral entry in othr guv depts, Agnipath 'll be used to do away with constitutionally sanctioned reservation benefits

I request to @HMOIndia @DefenceMinIndia that you have brought wonderful scheme and its beneficial for the nation and the youth as well. Please promote it & stop the misinformation campaign against Agnipath. #AgnipathRecruitmentScheme

The age of eligible candidates is 17.5 to 21 yrs.