Education news
Agnipath Scheme: 75% Agniveers to Get 2-Year Extension Before Regular Army Recruitment
· Source: Amar Ujala
Under a new Union Cabinet decision, 75 percent of Agniveers will now receive a two-year service extension beyond their initial four-year term. After finishing six years of service, candidates wishing to stay in the armed forces can apply for regular recruitment through the prescribed selection process.
Cabinet Approves Service Extension for Agniveers
Following a new decision by the Union Cabinet, 75 percent of Agniveers will get an opportunity to serve for two additional years. Previously, the initial service duration under the Agnipath scheme was fixed at four years, including the training period, with a provision to retain only up to 25 percent in regular service based on merit and armed forces requirements. After completing six years, Agniveers who wish to continue can apply for regular recruitment by completing the designated selection process.
First Batch Timeline and Retention Statistics
By December 2026, the four-year tenure of around 18,300 Agniveers from the first batch will be completed, representing about 75 percent of the 24,400 Agniveers recruited in that initial intake. In the Indian Air Force, a decision was taken last month to retain 712 Agniveers in regular service out of the 2,850 personnel in the first Agniveervayu batch.
Recruitment Categories Across Armed Forces
The Agnipath scheme encompasses non-officer rank recruitment across the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force under several categories:
- Indian Army: Agniveer General Duty (GD), Agniveer Technical, Agniveer Clerk/Store Keeper Technical, Agniveer Tradesman, and Agniveer recruitment for Women Military Police.
- Indian Navy: Agniveer SSR (Senior Secondary Recruit) generally requiring 12th pass with Mathematics and Physics or specified engineering diplomas, and Agniveer MR (Matric Recruit) for 10th pass candidates for roles such as Chef, Steward, and Hygienist.
- Indian Air Force: Recruits are termed Agniveervayu, with entry options categorized under Science subjects and Other than Science subjects.
Salary and Seva Nidhi Package Details
The Agnipath scheme includes annual pay increments, with 30 percent of the monthly package contributed to the Agniveer Corpus Fund and matched equally by the Central Government. Agniveers are entitled to receive a Seva Nidhi package of approximately Rs 11.71 lakh upon finishing four years of service.
Questions
What is the new service tenure rule for Agniveers?
A new Cabinet decision allows 75 percent of Agniveers to serve for an additional two years, making it a total of six years of service before applying for regular recruitment.
When was the Agnipath scheme initially approved?
The Union Cabinet approved the Agnipath scheme on 14 June 2022.
How much payout is provided under the Seva Nidhi package?
A Seva Nidhi package of approximately Rs 11.71 lakh is provided upon completing four years of service.
What are the eligibility criteria for Agniveer SSR and MR in the Indian Navy?
Agniveer SSR requires passing 12th grade with Mathematics and Physics or recognized engineering diplomas, while Agniveer MR requires a 10th-grade pass.
Written in English by Disha Stars from the Amar Ujala report (read the original in Hindi). Check dates and links on the official website before you act.
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