Agneepath Scheme – Considering the ever-increasing unemployment rate, the Government of India has launched the Agneepath Scheme for recruitment of non-commissioned posts into various Armed Forces. The Government of India approved the scheme in June 2022. This scheme brought a good opportunity for young Indians to serve our nation. In this article, you will get all the useful information about the Agneepath Scheme/Agnipath Scheme. 

What is Agneepath Scheme 

Agneepath scheme is a recruitment scheme for non-commissioned posts in the Indian Armed Forces. Under this scheme, every year, 46000 soldiers will be recruited into the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force for a tenure of 4 years. In these four years, the first 6 months will be of training, and then 3.5 years will be of active service. 

All the candidates selected under this scheme will be called Agniveer. This scheme will provide young individuals an opportunity to serve the Indian Armed Forces with attractive salary benefits. 

Agneepath Scheme Details

Key Features of Agneepath Scheme

• Four-year service in the Armed forces.
• Great opportunity of employment to youth aged 17.5 to 21 years.
• Compulsory retirement to 75% Agniveers.
• Permanent enrollment to 25% Agniveers in Armed Forces Cadre after 4 years of service.
• Selected candidates get an attractive Sewa Nidhi Package.
• Priority recruitment in other services like Govt Jobs and Army Jobs after retirement.

Why did the Government of India launch the Agneepath scheme?

The Government of India has launched the Agneepath scheme for two major reasons. First, to maintain age balance in the armed forces. At present average age of army officers is around 32 years, which would be much less after the implementation of Agneepath scheme. More than half of the army personnel would be young. 

The second reason for implementing the Agneepath scheme is to reduce pensions laid on the Armed Forces. The current defense budget is around 5.25 trillion, out of which 55% goes into salary and pension only. 1.2 trillion is spent on pensions only. The main purpose is to cut out the pension expenses. 

Agneepath Scheme Recruitment Wings

Recruitment under the Agneepath Yojana shall be made for the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. The eligibility age criteria, educational qualification criteria, and other terms and conditions are almost similar for all the Armed Forces. Interested candidates will have to apply separately for any of their recruitment.  

Under the Agnipath scheme, Agniveers shall be recruited for the following Armed Forces: 

1. Indian Army
2. Indian Navy
3. Indian Air Force

Agneepath Scheme Indian Army / Indian Army Agneepath Scheme

Agneepath scheme aims at attracting young and talented individuals to the Indian Army. These Agniveers will serve the nation for 4 years. After this period, all the candidates will get a chance to apply for permanent enrollment in the Indian Army. The Indian Army will select up to 25% of candidates for permanent Duty, and the rest 75% will be released with a Sewa Nidhi Package.

The recruitment under the Agneepath scheme for the Indian Army shall be made for the following posts: 

• Agniveer (General Duty)
• Agniveer (Tradesman)
• Agniveer (Technical)
• Agniveer (Technical- Aviation and Ammunition Examiner)
• Agniveer (Clerk and Storekeeper)

Agneepath Scheme Indian Army selection process

The recruitment process for Agniveers will be conducted in two phases. 

Phase I- Phase I of the selection process will consist of an Online Common Entrance Exam at Computer Based Test Centres spread across India. 

Phase II- In Phase II of the selection process, the candidates have to go through a Physical Fitness Test consisting of a 1600-meter run, push-ups, pull-ups, long jump, high jump, etc. 

Agneepath Scheme Indian Air Force

Recruitment of young male and female candidates through the Agnipath scheme to the Indian Air Force is a great initiative by the Government of India. This scheme will provide them an opportunity to learn about various aspects of the Indian Air Force, including fighter squadrons, transport squadrons, and helicopter squadrons. These Agniveers will be trained in a variety of aviation skills, such as aircraft maintenance, air traffic control, and flight operations. 

The recruitment under the Agnipath Yojana for the Indian Air Force shall be made for the following posts: 

• Airman 
• Airman Tradesman
• Airman Nursing Assistant 

The list of specific trades that Agniveers may be trained for in the Indian Air Force is as follows: 

• Aircraft Technician
• Avionics Technician
• Electrical Technician
• Mechanical Technician
• Armament Technician
• Communication Technician
• Air Traffic Controller
• Firefighter
• Medical Technician
• Administrative Assistant
• Logistics Assistant

Agneepath Scheme Indian Air Force selection process 

Candidates who have successfully registered for recruitment in the Indian Air Force through Agneepath Recruitment will have to go through a two-phase selection process. 

Phase I- Physical Fitness Test- This test will consist of a 1600-meter run, push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. After that, Physical Fitness and medical examinations will be held.  

Phase II- Phase II of the selection process will consist of an Online Entrance Exam at Computer Based Test Centres spread across India. 

Agneepath Scheme Indian Navy

Recruitment of Agniveers under the Agneepath scheme in the Indian Navy is a great opportunity for young and talented minds to serve their country by joining the Indian Navy, with a possibility of permanent enrollment after a tenure of 4 years. Under the Agneepath scheme, Agniveers in the Indian Navy will be trained in a variety of naval skills, including seamanship, navigation, and weapons handling.

The recruitment under the Agneepath scheme for the Indian Navy shall be made for the following posts: 

• Sailor
• Sailor Tradesman
• Sailor Nursing Assistant

Agneepath Scheme Indian Navy selection process 

Candidates who want to join the Indian Navy through Agneepath Recruitment will have to go through a two-phase selection process. 

Phase I- Physical Fitness Test- This test will consist of a 1600-meter run, push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. After that, Physical Fitness and medical examinations will be held. 

Phase II- Phase II of the selection process will consist of an Online Entrance Exam at Computer Based Test Centres spread across India. 

Agneepath Scheme Eligibility Criteria

A candidate who wants to apply for recruitment under the Agniveer Scheme must meet these general eligibility criteria for different posts as given below: 

Agniveer Education Qualification

Education Qualification Agniveer in Indian Army

Education Qualification Agniveer in Indian Air Force

Education Qualification Agniveer in Indian Navy

Note:- Candidates who have appeared in class 10th or 12th Board exams and are awaiting declaration of results are also eligible to apply, provided they fulfill all other qualifications required. Such candidates, however, shall only be selected when they produce the original mark sheet during Phase II of the recruitment process.

Agneepath Scheme Age Limit

Only unmarried male or female candidates who are between the age group of 17.5 to 21 years are eligible to apply under the Agneepath scheme. 

Agnipath Scheme Salary | Agniveer Salary

Agniveers shall be given a one-time Seva Nidhi package comprising their monthly contribution along with a matching contribution by the Government on completion of their engagement period, as indicated below:- 

Agneepath Scheme Application fee

Applicants will have to pay Rs. 250/- to Apply online for Agniveer Vacancy in all 3 Armed Forces of India. 

Agneepath Scheme Pros And Cons

There are various advantages as well as disadvantages associated with the Agnipath Yojana:

Agneepath Scheme Advantages

• Opportunity of employment to 46000 youths every year
• Job at the early age of 17.5 years 
• A handsome amount of salary
• Various skills will be taught during the service period.
• Certificate of Service/ Agniveer Skill Certificate
• A lump sum amount of around 11 Lakhs on retirement 
• Non-contributory insurance cover of Rs. 48 Lakh
• Up to 25% of Agniveers will be enrolled in the regular cadre of Armed forces.
• Retired Agniveers can get bank loans under a special scheme, which will be beneficial for them to pursue further studies or start a business, etc. 

Agnipath Scheme Disadvantages | Agneepath Scheme Issues

• Service period of only four years/ compulsory retirement after four years
• No gratuity or regular pension benefits
• No job security after four years of service
• After retirement, they will have to search for a new job again
• It will not be easy for them to compete with fresh graduates for jobs in technical fields
• A person who has dropped his studies at the age of 17-21 will not be qualified enough for other jobs, so he will have to complete his higher education first 
• Martyr’s families would not get the same security as that of the Commissioned Officers
• After retirement, when an Agniveer applies for another job, he will have to face the question of why he could not manage to be among those 25% who were enrolled in the regular cadre of the Armed Forces

Agneepath Scheme After Retirement

Agniveers have to leave their jobs after four years of service. When Agneepath soldiers leave their jobs after four years, they will get a lump sum amount of around 11 Lakhs from the Government’s Seva Nidhi Scheme. 30% of this amount shall be deducted from the monthly salary of Agniveers. No regular pension shall be provided to them. 

Agneepath Scheme For Girl 

The Agneepath scheme launched in the year 2022 is also applicable to female candidates who are interested in joining the Armed Forces.  

Agneepath Scheme Apply Online

Young Boys and Girls who are interested in Agnipath Scheme can Apply online for it by following these steps:

Step 1: Visit Army/Air Force/Navy Official website, for which you want to apply.

Step 2: In the ‘Main Menu’ go to “Agnipath/AgniveerVayu/Become an Agniveer” option.

Step 3: Now register for Agnipath Scheme on related site.

Step 4: Fill in all the required information correctly in registeration form and Create Password also.

Step 5: Upload Required Documents, Photo and Signature.

Step 6: Now “Preview” Your registration and submit it.

Step 7: After registration you can apply for your desired Agniveer post by loging in your account.

Agneepath Scheme Notifications

To check official notifications for Agniveer Recruitment through the Agneepath scheme, visit the following listed official websites of the Indian Armed Forces:

Indian Army- www.joinindianarmy.nic.in 

Indian Navy- www.joinindiannavy.gov.in 

Indian Air Force- https://agnipathvayu.cdac.in 

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