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Introduction
Everyone needs a good job to fulfill their dreams and comforts of life. As the job opportunities are decreasing and unemployment level is at its peak, the announcement of Agneepath Scheme is definitely a good news for the unemployed youth of India.
The Agneepath Scheme was passed by the Union Cabinet in May 2022 which was later announced by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on 14 June 2022. Under this scheme, youth will be recruited for for Indian Army, Navy or Air Force according to their merit.
Every year around 46,000 candidates will be recruited as Agniveer under this scheme.
The service period of Agniveers will be only 4 years with 6 months training. After 4 years, only 25% of the soldiers will be placed permanent based on their performance while others will be sent home with their service fund.
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Why is it required?
One of the main reasons for starting Agneepath Scheme is to lower the median age of our security personnel. As India has mountainous border both China and Pakistan, forces with a lower age group will perform better in such areas. With the advance technological infusion in the defence, we need to come up with a future-ready fighting force.
Another reasons – are to cut the army's expenditure which is more than half the yearly defence budget allocated for pensions, increase budget for research and development, and reduce the problem of unemployment which is increasing day by day.
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Eligibility Criteria & Selection
The age limit for joining the army under the Agneepath scheme is from 17.5 years to 21 years. Candidates must have 10th and 12th degrees. Medical standards will be the same as those set by the government for recruitment in the army.
The selection of Agniveers will be done through army rallies. These rallies will be organized across the country at an interval of 90 days, and on the basis of that, they will be selected into the Indian Army.
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Advantages/benefits
Agniveers will get many benefits under this scheme. In the first year of service, they will be given 30,000 per month which will later be increased to 40,000 by the end of service.
Only 70% of the salary will be given in hand, the remaining 30% will be deducted for the “Service Fund” package.
The Service Fund package will be tax free and given to them after 4 years of service. The package amount (approx. 12 lakhs) will be the sum of their salary deducted as well as equal contribution including interest paid by the government.
During the four years of service, they will be provided life insurance of 48 lakhs and in case of death, the family will be given 1 crore.
They will also be awarded with certification of their training which will help them in other future aspects.
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What will happen after four years of service?
After four years of service, only 25% of the soldiers will be placed permanent based on their performance.
Rest of them will be sent home with their service funds and certificates.
They can use these certificates to apply for work in other types of the private or corporate world.
In some states, such Agniveers will be given first priority in the police service.
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Disadvantages/concerns
They will not get pension benefit under this scheme.
As they will join the force at the age when they could prepare for another jobs, after leaving the force, other jobs will be out of their reach and they will be left behind their peers.
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Possible solutions/way forward
After completing 4 years of service, the Service Fund which is approx. Rs. 12 lakhs can be used for starting a new business.
Government should help in providing loan on priority basis to Agniveers to start a big start-up.
Government should also extend some benefits like education and medical facilities to Agniveers after completing the tenures of four years which is given to present forces personnel.
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Conclusion
After the announcement of this scheme, people have started presenting their views and opinions. Many are praising the plan while others are against the scheme.
The scheme may prove to be advantageous for the youth to gain experience. But the government should make sure to address all the worries of the youth so that they don't have to compromise with their careers again.
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