Agnipath Scheme
About
- The Agnipath Scheme allows youth (male/female; 17.5 to 21 years old) to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years.
- The scheme, launched in 2022, was aimed at recruiting personnel below officer ranks — soldiers, airmen, and sailors who are not commissioned officers — to the Indian Armed Forces.
- The scheme provides an avenue to Indian youth to get recruited in the Armed Forces for a short duration and also enhances the youth profile of the Armed Forces.
- These recruits (called ‘Agniveers’) would form a distinct rank in the armed forces, different from any other existing rank.
Benefits
- On completion of the engagement period of four years, Agniveers will be paid a one-time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package, comprising 30 percent monthly contributions from their salaries, a matching contribution from the government, and interest earned.
- At the end of this tenure, upto 25% of Agniveers can join the services on a permanent commission (another 15 years), subject to merit and organisational requirements.
- There will, however, be no pension or gratuity benefits for these recruits.