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The Agnipath Scheme
Far from being driven by a vision for the reform of the armed forces, the Agnipath scheme is an outcome of compulsions born out of severe financial and strategic shortcomings. It could have a destabilising impact on the military’s ethos, war-preparedness, and the ability of its leadership to stand by their personnel.
There are four key highlights of the Agnipath scheme. One, the defence services will recruit 46,000 personnel annually in the age group of 17 and a half to 21 years for four years. Of these, 25% will be selected for permanent induction and 75% will be released from service with a government-recognised Class 12 certificate. The selected 25% will start their military careers afresh—the four years of Agnipath will not be counted.
Two, upon selection, the Agniveers will undergo 26-week training, roughly six months at the respective regimental centres before deployment (with effective service of three and a half years) into their field areas. The current training period for recruits is 42 weeks.
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