Agnipath scheme: All you need to know!

What is Agnipath scheme?

The government of India announced the “Agnipath” scheme on June 14, 2022, to encourage the youth of India to join the defence services and fulfil their dream of serving the nation. It is a “tour of duty” style scheme that offers the young Indians an opportunity to get admission into any of the nation’s three defence forces, Army, Navy, or Air Force for a period of four years. It is a pan-India scheme that allows applicants from all over the country. Under this scheme, personnel will be recruited for positions below the rank of commissioned officers and are called as “Agniveers”

Overview of the scheme:

Scheme name	Agnipath Yojana
Beneficiary	Indian youth
Service areas	Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force
Vacancies	46,000 (2022-23)
Age limit	17.5 to 21 years
Service period	4 years
Official website(s)	https://joinindianarmy.nic.in/

Objectives of the scheme

• To provide an opportunity to the Indian Youth who are willing to serve in the Indian Armed services.
• To strengthen the Armed Forces’ youthful profile so that they are always at their most combat-ready and capable of greater risk-taking.
• To instil in the next generation the ethos, camaraderie, dedication, and collaboration of the Armed Forces.
• To impart skills and attributes like discipline, dynamism, motivation, and work ethics to the youth so that they will become an asset to the nation.

Eligibility and selection process

Candidates whose age is between 17.5 to 21 years are eligible to apply. It is merit-based selection process through centralized, transparent, and rigorous system. Candidates will be recruited upon meeting the educational, physical, and medical requirements needed for the different roles offered.

Highlights of the scheme

• It’s a pan-India merit-based admission process where young Indian citizens from any part of the country, regardless of their gender, religion, or cast can apply.
• Candidates recruited under this scheme are called as Agniveers.
• The service duration for Agniveers is 4 years which includes a 6-month training period.
• After the mandatory service period of 4 years, 25% of candidates will be offered permanent jobs based on merit and organizational recruitment while the remaining 75% will have to retire.
• The soldiers will get a salary package of  INR 4.76 lakhs in the 1^st year of service which will increase up to INR 6.92 lakhs in the final year of service
• After completion of their tenure of 4 years, each soldier will get INR 11.71 lakh as Seva Nidhi Package which is tax-free
• They will also be provided a non-contributary life insurance cover of 48 lakh during the service period.
• On completion of the tenure, all Agniveers will be provided skill gained certificate and credits for higher education.

What is the future of the retired Agniveers?

The Ministry of Education announced that it will recognize the Agniveers in-service training and will provide 50% of credits for the graduate degree program designed by the IGNOU. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), and University Grants Commission have all duly recognized the program’s framework. IGNOU will issue degrees under the UGC nomenclature, and these degrees will be accepted for work and study both in India and outside.

Why online degrees are ideal for retired Agniveers?

Online degrees can be the best choice for retired as well as in-service Agniveers and other defence personnel who have retired/planning to retire early and looking to get into civilian workforce due to various reasons. As the recruitment age for Agniveers is 17.5 to 21 years, they are bound to lose the valuable academic time during which they can complete their graduation.

For these candidates, an online degree will be the ideal choice as they can pursue it without having to quit their service/job. After completion of their 4-year service tenure they can use this degree for finding jobs in civilian workforce. Candidates can also choose to enrol for an online degree even after completion of their service in defense and find employment post completion of the degree. Here are some of the many benefits of online degrees:

Flexibility: Online degrees allow defense personnel to study and complete coursework from anywhere, at any time, making it a convenient option for those who may have demanding schedules or unpredictable deployments.

Personalized attention: In many cases, online programs offer more individualized attention from instructors and advisors, which can be beneficial for military personnel who may need extra support as they transition to civilian life.

Access to a wider range of programs: Online programs often offer a wider range of degree options and specializations than traditional on-campus programs, allowing military personnel to pursue the program that best fits their career goals.

Career advancement: Pursuing an online degree can help defence personnel demonstrate their commitment to personal and professional growth and open up new opportunities for career advancement in the civilian sector.

Cost-effectiveness: Online programs can often be more cost-effective than traditional brick-and-mortar programs, allowing defense personnel to further their education without incurring significant debt.

Access to vast resources: Many online programs offer access to a wide range of resources, such as online libraries and career services, that can help defence personnel in their transition to the civilian workforce.

Networking opportunities: Online programs can also provide opportunities to network with other military personnel and veterans, who may have valuable insights and connections in the civilian job market.

Online degrees provide a flexible and convenient way for defense personnel to gain the education and skills necessary to transition to a successful civilian career but it is important that they choose the right institute/university. The prestigious institutes and universities like Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal institute of Technology (MIT), and T.A. Pai. Management Institute (TAPMI) of the Manipal Group have been providing UGC-entitled online UG, PG degrees, and domain-specific certification courses that are on par with the degrees and certifications offered by regular colleges in terms of curriculum, teaching staff, placement assistance, etc. Candidates can enroll of any of the available degree or certification progress and pave way for a successful career in the domain of their choice.