(Image source from: x.com/GajrajCorps_IA)

The controversial Agnipath recruitment is now on the news again. The recruitment of young people as Agniveers was facing severe backlash from the opposition as the retention rate is only 25 per cent. Agnipath Scheme: this is an opportunity to serve the nation as Aginveers through enrolment into the armed forces. The recruitment is based on the pan India merit-based and with a tenure of four years. Based on merit and organizational requirement up to 25 per cent Agniveers will be selected through a central, transparent, rigorous system after four years.

The age limit for the Agniveers to apply is 17 years to 21 years. Candidates will be enrolled under the respective service act for the service duration of four years including the training period. Training will be rigorous in the existing centres. Agniveers should serve the nation in varied terrains from mountains to deserts, on Land, Sea or Air. The first year package will start approx. at Rs 4.76 Lacs and upgrade up to the government Rs 6.92 Lacs. The money will also have exemptions from income tax. Not only these, the corpus of approx. Rs 11.71 Lacs after four years will be awarded with income tax exemption. The death compensation will be of Rs 48 Lakhs. Disability also will have an ex gratia of Rs 44/25/25 Lacs depending on the disability.

After all these exciting offers many youngsters are joining the forces and heading back with empty hands as the recruitment percentage is only 25 per cent.

Government is considering making changes in the emoluments and entitlements for Agniveers. Now the percentage of recruitment from 25 per cent is expected to increase up to 60 to 70 per cent. The Indian army also suggested from 4 years to 7 years. BJP faced severe criticism over the scheme from their allies. JDU and LJP has requested the government to review the scheme over the time period and also over the recruitment percentage of Agniveers.

Last month, Lieutenant General Channira Bansi Pannappa said that Agniveers are performing extremely well in the battalions and he said the Indian army has already recruited 1 lakh Agniveers into the army. As per the data, approximately 70000 agniveers have already been appointed to the units and performing well in battalions.