Agnipath Row: Amid Violent Protests, Indian Air Force Shares Details On New Recruitment Scheme

"Agnipath is a new HR Management scheme for Armed Forces. Candidates inducted through this scheme will be called Agniveers," said the IAF's detailed document on recruitment process.

Indian Air Force (IAF) soldiers march past during the 89th Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Force Station on the outskirts of New Delhi. (File Photo)

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Amidst the outraging protests against the central government's Agnipath recruitment scheme, the Indian Air Force has released the recruitment process. 

"Agnipath is a new HR Management scheme for Armed Forces. Candidates inducted through this scheme will be called Agniveers. These Agniveers once enrolled into the Indian Air Force, will be governed under the Air Force Act 1950, for a period of four years. Endeavour will be made to enroll candidates as Agniveers from all parts of the nation, utilising contemporary technology (online STAR exam and associated testing methods), specialized rallies and campus interviews at recognized technical institutes such as Industrial Training Institutes, NSQF etc. Agniveers would form a distinct rank in the IAF, different from any other existing rank," wrote the IAF in its detailed document on the recruitment police. 

The Indian Air Force releases details on 'Agnipath' recruitment scheme

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— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2022

The IAF specified that for recruits below 18 years of age, "the enrolment form will need to be signed by the parents/guardians, in accordance with extant provisions."

The document also gave a brief on what the future of Agniveers be like after they are discharged from the duty after four years. 

It said, "based on organizational requirements and policies promulgated by the IAF, Agniveers who have exited will be offered an opportunity to apply for enrolment in the IAF in the regular cadre. The skills gained by each Agniveer will be captured in a certificate to form part of his resume."

It also added, "These applications will be considered by a centralized board in a transparent manner and not more than 25% of the strength of the specific batch of original Agniveers will be enrolled in the IAF based on performance during their four-year engagement period as Agniveers."

It also added that "Agniveers will not have any right to be selected for further enrolment into the Armed Forces," adding "Selection will be the exclusive jurisdiction of the Government. The enrolment as airmen into the regular cadre of Indian Air Force except for Medical tradesmen, will be available only to those personnel who have completed their engagement period as Agniveers."

The Agniveers will be given the Seva Nidhi package after the completion of four years, " which shall comprise their contribution (into the Agniveer Corpus Fund) and matching contribution from the Government and interest on the accumulated amount. In case of individuals who are subsequently selected for enrolment into the IAF as regular cadre, the ‘Seva Nidhi’ package to be paid to them will comprise only of their contribution including accrued interest thereon. The ‘Seva Nidhi’ will be exempt from Income Tax."

It also said, "In case of Agniveers exiting before the end of their engagement period in their own request, the ‘Seva Nidhi’ package to be paid to them will comprise only their contribution including accrued interest thereon."