The Government of India has introduced a new system called the Agnipath Scheme for the registration of unauthorized personnel at three branches of the Indian Army. There will be no other way to join the army without the Agnipath Scheme. Agniveers, a new military Rank for recruits using this process, will be the name given to those recruited.

The Central Government did not issue a white paper before implementing the new hiring method. Parliament and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence did not discuss the plan. Prior to the announcement on June 15, the public was unaware of the program. Efforts to do so will begin in September 2022 after it has been approved by the Indian government in June 2022. Long periods of previous system, pensions, and other benefits will not work under this scheme.

The program is open to men and women between the ages of 17.5 and 21. (23 years as a one-time waiver for the 2022 year). The recruitment of the Indian Army, Navy, and Airforce will be done twice a year through this program. The vacancies that will be created will be below the senior level.

The only way to join the army would be through the Agnipath Scheme. Employees employed by Agniveers will serve as four years comprising six months of training followed by 3.5 years, with a salary of Rs. 4.76 lacs per year for the first year that can be upgraded to Rs.6.92 lacs per year by the end of the 4th year, and employees should carry 30% of the salary allocation as a contribution to the chamber estimated at Rs. 11.71 lacs, exempt from income tax to be received by employees at the end of four years of service.

The day after the launch, violent protests erupted in various Indian states as army supporters who were unhappy with the new system demanded the abolition and destruction of public property, causing extensive damage to public infrastructure. The movement of more than 300 trains was affected by the burning of 12 trains on June 17. 11 trains were diverted and 90 were suspended due to cancellation or delays.

For the past three years, there have been no recruits. Recruitment in the Indian Army was suspended due to the outbreak of COVID-19. As a result, the Army's working capacity began to decline due to the annual staff shortages.

Up to 25% of Agniveers selected from applicants for the mid-exam examination will be selected by the general category on the basis of merit and performance shown over the four years, with fixed pay scales and pension benefits in accordance with existing rules applicable to Agniveers. after retiring from work. The Indian Army pension scheme does not include those who leave the army before they can serve for four years. The Indian government expects to fill 45,000 to 50,000 positions a year with the help of this program.

Opposition groups in India have called for the program to be suspended and for it to be debated in Parliament.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) said it strongly endorsed the:
"Agnipath 'program which undermines the interests of the Indian state. pensions, severely disrupting the quality and effectiveness of our armed forces. "

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav called the plan "negligent" and could "kill" the future of the country.

A Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) official said people returning after four years of work would create gang warfare in the country.

Congress has not called for the country's interest or security, and has called for the program to be postponed.

Congress member Rahul Gandhi said the center would be forced to postpone the Agnipath recruitment process and the Prime Minister would have to apologize to the country's youth.

The leader of the opposition party in Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said:
"There are far-reaching consequences and this was not fully considered during the preparation of the plan. Over time, this policy will have a negative impact on the security of our country,"

He said. It seems that the government is interfering with the country's security with the aim of saving money through salaries, pensions, salaries and halving military power. "

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said:
"This is an insult to the Army. Deception with the youth of the country. This is an insult to the Army. Deception with the youth of the country.

Following the launch of the program on June 15, 2022, some provinces saw violent protests against retreats and vandalism, including buses and trains, in protest of the new policy. A total of 200 trains were disrupted, 35 were canceled, and 13 were suspended before they could reach their destination due to the protests.


Award Winning Article Is Written By: Mr.Aviral Srivastava

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