Agniveers will be recruited in all three services: Award-medals will be available like permanent soldiers, but will not get pension; First recruitment rally in 90 days

A new scheme has been launched for the recruitment of large numbers of youth in the three branches of the Indian Army – Army, Navy and Air Force. Under this scheme, the youth will have to serve in the Defense Force for only four years. The government has taken this step to reduce the budget of salary and pension. Along with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, the three army chiefs have announced this plan by holding a press conference. The first recruitment rally will be held in 90 days.

The Agneepath Recruitment Scheme prepared by the Department of Military Affairs was earlier named 'Tour of Duty'. Under this scheme, more soldiers will be recruited for short-term. The department itself will also implement it. The government has introduced this scheme to cut its expenses and to increase the number of youth in the Defense Force.

Every year 45 thousand youth will be recruited

Every year about 45,000 youth will be inducted into the army under Agneepath. These youths will be between the ages of 17.5 to 21 years. They will get a chance to serve in the army for four years. Out of these four years, the soldiers will be given basic training for 6 months. The soldiers will be given 30 thousand to 40 thousand salary and other benefits. They will be entitled to get awards, medals and insurance cover like permanent soldiers of the three services. The insurance cover will be Rs 44 lakh.

25% Agniveers will get a chance to serve further

After the completion of four years, only 25% of 'Agniveers' will be recruited into the permanent cadre. Those soldiers who want to serve in the army even after four years, they will get a chance on the basis of merit and medical fitness. The soldiers who will be selected for the permanent cadre will have to complete a tenure of 15 years. The first four years will be under contract, so its pension will not be available.

Those 75% Agniveers who will be out of this scheme will be given a service fund package. This package of Rs 11-12 lakh will be partly funded by the monthly contribution of Agniveers. Apart from this, they will be helped to start another career through skill certificates and bank loans.