AGNIPATH SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Policies)

Context: Bihar's regional parties JD(U) and LJPRV have urged a review of the Agnipath scheme while poised to become significant allies for the ruling party in the upcoming Lok Sabha.

Agnipath Scheme

• About: A central government scheme for youth to give entry into the Indian army. 
• Period: To serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years.
• Agniveer: Under this scheme, the youth joining the army called them Agniveer.
• Age group: Candidates between the age group of 17.5 to 21 years are eligible to apply for the scheme.
• Completion Benefits: Upon completing their service, recruits will receive between Rs. 11 lakh and Rs. 12 lakh, including interest and contributions, under the tax-exempt "Seva Nidhi" package. Recruits must contribute 30% of their monthly salary to Seva Nidhi, with a matching contribution from the government.
• Maximum limit: Every year 45,000 to 50,000 soldiers will be recruited annually, and most will leave the service in just four years. Out of that only 25% will continue for 15 years.

Objective: 

• Youthful profile: To enhance youthful profile of the Armed Forces so that they are at their fighting best at all times with increased risk-taking ability.
• Effective use modern technology: To attract young talent from the society to effectively exploit, adopt and use emerging modern technologies with enhanced technical thresholds of intake while leveraging Technical Institutions of the country.
• Opportunity: To provide an opportunity to the youth who may be keen to serve the Nation in uniform albeit for a short period of time.
• Qualities: To provide abilities and qualities such as discipline, dynamism, motivation and work-skills so that the youth remain an asset.