Agnipath Recruitment Is Expected To Increase To 59,000 In The Next Four Years, And Agniveers May Get Skill Ministry Certificates

According to senior government officials, recruitment to the Indian Armed Forces under the newly announced Tour of Duty or Agnipath scheme is expected to gradually expand over the next four years to almost 59,000 soldiers, airmen, and sailors, up from about 46,000 in the first year.

The system, which would replace present recruitment processes for the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force (IAF), was unveiled by defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday and lauded as “transformational.” Within 90 days, recruitment rallies for the services will commence.

In the first year of the programme, the Army will induct about 40,000 soldiers, the Navy 3,000 sailors, and the IAF 3,000 airmen.

According to current projections, the total intake in the second year will likely increase to around 46,500, with the Army and Navy’s numbers remaining nearly 40,000 and 3,000, respectively, but the IAF’s number increasing to around 3,500.

There are intentions to recruit around 52,400 young people in the third year, with approximately 45,000 joining the Army, 3,000 joining the Navy, and 4,400 joining the IAF.

In the fourth year, the Armed Forces expect to induct roughly 58,800 young people, with the Army taking about 50,000, the Navy 3,500, and the IAF 5,300.

The higher intake will help to address the deficit in Armed Forces personnel that has been generated over the last two years while recruiting has stopped.

Skill development ministry to issue elaborate certificates

The three services will develop a centralised digital database on the Agniveers or soldiers who join the plan to track and retain a record of the skills they learn over their four-year term.

“In addition, the services will create a thorough assessment system for the Agniveers, which will help measure their performance,” a source said.

When the Agniveers are released after four years, the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship is expected to be enlisted to issue an intricate skill-set certificate showing their competency, according to sources.

On Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the federal government’s various states and ministries are striving to ensure that Agniveers get preference in jobs once their term ends, showing a whole-of-government commitment to the scheme. He had stated that the complete picture would be revealed in a few days.

Following this, home minister Amit Shah announced on Wednesday that Agniveers who have completed their four years of duty will be given preference for jobs in paramilitary forces and the Assam Rifles.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Agnipath Yojana is a progressive and welcome initiative for the youth’s bright future.” In this context, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) has decided to grant Agniveers who finish four years under this plan precedence for recruitment in CAPFs (central armed police forces) and Assam Rifles,” he tweeted.

The strategy will recruit all sailors, airmen, and soldiers, with the exception of the medical branch’s technical cadre.

When they are released, they will be given a contribution-based financial package known as Seva Nidhi. When they are released after four years, they will be rewarded with higher educational credits, lateral absorption, and other bridging courses, according to the government.

The initiative will induct young people between the ages of 17.5 and 21 into the Armed Forces for a four-year period. After that period, up to 25% of them can apply voluntarily to join the services on a regular basis, depending on merit and organisational requirements.

It will gradually open to men and women, depending on service-specific requirements. They will be enrolled on a ‘all-India, all-class’ basis. They will have their own rank in the Armed Forces, with their own insignia.

The initiative will induct young people between the ages of 17.5 and 21 into the Armed Forces for a four-year period. After that period, up to 25% of them can apply voluntarily to join the services on a regular basis, depending on merit and organisational requirements.

It will gradually open to men and women, depending on service-specific requirements. They will be enrolled on a ‘all-India, all-class’ basis. They will have their own rank in the Armed Forces, with their own insignia.