The Agnipath scheme stands out for its visionary approach to a new method of recruiting, the first novel way since Independence. Our armed forces take a lot of pride and responsibility in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence in the resettlement of the superannuating personnel. The same approach is naturally expected for the departing Agniveers and the Short Service Commissioned officers too. This article explores the nation’s commitment to the Agnipath scheme. Agniveers post-service will significantly contribute to building national security resilience in the form of young reservists as also create in the civil sector a talent pool for the next generation of defence entrepreneurs and most likely infuse better discipline in society.
As a whole of national approach, there have been commitments made by numerous business houses and different ministries, including apex-level ranking officers of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The nation has heard of demands made about fundamental rights, and now the time has come for the citizens to display their seriousness in performing duties in the national interest.
Vision Of The Agnipath Scheme
The Agnipath scheme was conceived with foresight to derive multiple advantages; use national human capital for multiple advantages in the military and in civil society, and rejuvenate the armed forces by recruiting young, relatively better educated, dynamic individuals, termed as Agniveers. This infusion of youth for a four-year term into the military enhances its youthful profile, increases the intake of better individuals who want to contribute to the nation rather than demand government jobs for life, and augments the services with those young personnel who have a higher adaptability quotient. The four-year tenure implies that this duration offers an opportunity to many young people to fulfil their duty to the nation in uniform and then revert to their families, pursue their higher studies or seek a career in the civil sector based on their combat experience, personality transformation, and with an advantage over others due to the military grooming. The current generation has a different thought process, majority of them do not want to continue with one career for a lifetime. This is a reality that the older generation has to accept.
Comprehensive Training And Skill Development
A cornerstone of the Agnipath Scheme is its optimum training programme with the use of simulators and making the most of the time available. Agniveers undergo rigorous time-bound training, including military skills, sub-unit level tactics, appropriate technical proficiency and specialised trades as per organisational requirements. This customised training ensures that Agniveers are prepared for military service and fit into their roles in the subunits with guidance from seniors. The combat experience and military ethos exposure are bound to be unique, which is not available anywhere except in the military. This exposure and grooming would give them an edge over other competitors after their departure from the military.
Skill Certification And Educational Equivalency
To facilitate a smooth transition to civilian life, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s Directorate General of Training (DGT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This MoU ensures that the skills acquired by Agniveers during their training and service are formally certified. These certifications facilitate their employability in the public and private sectors for their second innings. For those who enter the service after Class 10, the programme offers a 12th-grade equivalency certificate based on the skills attained during their active service for the nation, further improving their civilian career prospects.
Financial Stability And Support
Indian society, especially in the lower middle class, finds it difficult to cater to the educational expenditures for children. Most of the soldiers come from this segment. They get a job between the age of 17 and 18 years as Agniveers. Their financial liability is thus taken care of and the family is assured either of their young son getting permanently absorbed, or that he will exit with a financial package after four years. This package would be a good amount for the second innings as a stepping stone if utilised judiciously. Such an amount the family could never have provided for their son.
Financial security is a critical aspect of the resettlement process for Agniveers. The Agnipath scheme provides a significant financial package that ensures Agniveers can transition to civilian life with self-esteem, confidence, and relative stability. Compared to others of his age group who could not join the Agnipath scheme, this is a distinct advantage to the departing Agniveer.
Seva Nidhi Package
Upon completing their service, Agniveers receive a Seva Nidhi package amounting to approximately Rs 12 lakh. This fund would accrue from their savings and government contributions and would serve as a financial assurance that can be used to pursue higher education, which otherwise would have been an unfulfilled dream, start a business for which this amount can be seed money, or support their family or even join ancestral vocations like agriculture or family business, even if it is a small venture. This financial security allows Agniveers to plan their future without immediate financial pressures for their parents.
Loan Facilitation For Entrepreneurship
To encourage self-employment and entrepreneurship, Agniveers are eligible for financial loans facilitated through banks. This initiative supports their entrepreneurial aspirations and helps them integrate into the economic fabric of society. Agniveers with entrepreneurial ambitions and temperament can leverage this support to start their ventures, contributing to economic growth and innovation. Young minds are creative and are capable of taking risks at a young age.
Employment Opportunities And Industry Partnerships
The Agnipath scheme positions Agniveers for success in the civilian job market through various employment initiatives and partnership offers by industry leaders. Manufacturing sector, infrastructure sector and service sector are growing at a fast pace in the nation. In the national vision and mission to be a $5 trillion economy – and with a firm action plan to be a developed and secure nation by 2047 – the job market will be vibrant albeit for those who are skilled, hard-working and adaptable. Agniveers stand to be well poised in this competition without any age disadvantage. On the contrary, the Agniveers will have a relative advantage over their peers from the civil sector.
Priority Hiring In CAPFs And Private Sector
One of the most significant measures is the announcement of a 10% reservation in the recruitment for the CAPFs, specifically for former Agniveers. This move, which exempts them from the mandatory physical test required for other aspirants, greatly boosts their post-service career prospects. Similar assurances are expected from state governments and their police departments. These Agniveers will be much better than the freshers that they would be training. The Agniveers would have a head-start with their incomparable combat experience and quality military training, which no state police department can provide.
Additionally, many private firms have pledged to prioritise hiring ex-Agniveers, recognising the value of their disciplined, combat-oriented and professionally-military-trained background.
State Government Initiatives
State governments are also contributing to the efforts. For instance, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced several measures benefiting Agniveers, including age relaxation in state public services recruitment, horizontal reservation, and subsidies to industrial units employing Agniveers. This support from state governments ensures that Agniveers have multiple avenues for employment and career advancement. The nation expects other state governments to emulate the good example set by a few state governments.
Academic Agreements
Academic agreements like those with Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya allow Agniveers to undertake distance-learning courses. These courses cover various disciplines, from retail management to water purification, providing Agniveers with valuable academic qualifications that enhance their employability. Many other universities are working out programmes for these Agniveers.
Social and Psychological Support – Counselling Services
The psychological well-being of Agniveers is a priority under the Agnipath scheme. Transitioning from a structured military environment to civilian life can be challenging, and the scheme ensures that Agniveers have access to the necessary support systems. With time, more action will become visible. The scheme provides access to counselling services that address the emotional and psychological needs of Agniveers. These services are crucial in helping them cope with the changes and challenges of civilian life, ensuring they remain mentally and emotionally healthy.
Peer-Support Networks
Establishing peer-support networks allows Agniveers to connect with fellow ex-servicemen, share and also learn from experiences, and benefit from mutual support. These networks play a vital role in easing the transition and fostering a sense of community.
Fostering Defence Entrepreneurs
The Agnipath scheme has the potential to foster a new generation of defence entrepreneurs, who are crucial in building the nation’s defence industrial base to boost its national security. It has the ingredients to replicate the success of the Israel and South Korean models. Some thought-provoking policy initiatives can be thought of, e.g., the military can patronise manufactured products or services of Agniveers. The Finance Department will have to be sensitive to these requirements rather than following the age-old L1 criteria.
Funding Opportunities From MoD
The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative aims to support the development of defence technologies and indigenisation by local talent by engaging start-ups through open challenges. The problem statements are issued by the armed forces. Winning pitches can secure grants of up to Rs 25 crore, with half of it to be raised by the start-up. Departing Agniveers would have handled military equipment and would know the organisational demands. Thus they would be most suited to be a part of the quality improvement and indigenisation campaign. Israel benefits from this talent pool and is known as the start-up nation.
Strengthening National Security Through ‘Atmanirbharta’
The Agnipath scheme plays a crucial role in enhancing national security. By fostering defence entrepreneurship and innovation, the scheme supports India’s goal of self-reliance in defence. Agniveers, with their unique blend of military training and entrepreneurial spirit, are poised to drive this transformation.
A Forward-Looking Initiative
The Agnipath scheme is a forward-looking initiative in the national interest. It will bring about a quality change in attitudes in the military and civil society. Experience will reveal lessons for improving the scheme. The whole nation’s approach and action are needed. After all, it is the nation’s military.
Lt Gen. Vinod Khandare (Retd) is the Principal Adviser to the Ministry of Defence.
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