Agnipath Scheme: Centre To Prioritise 'Agniveers' For Jobs In CAPF, Assam Rifles After Completing 4 Years

The move is aimed to bring down the ballooning salary and pension bills amid criticism that the move will adversely impact the professionalism, military ethos and fighting spirit of the armed forces.

New Delhi: A day after the government announced Agnipath recruitment scheme for the defence forces, Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday announced that his ministry has decided to give priority to 'Agniveers' who have completed four years under the 'Agnipath' scheme in the recruitment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles, reported news agency ANI. The home minister further added that the scheme is a ‘transformative initaive’, and will increase ‘employment opportunities’.

"With this decision taken by the Home Ministry under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the youth trained by the 'Agnipath' scheme will be able to contribute to the service and security of the country. Detailed planning work has been started on this decision," Shah said, according to news agency ANI.

Shah also shared details about the Agnipath recruitment scheme while welcoming the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheme that aims to transform armed forces.

"Agnipath scheme is a visionary and welcome decision by Prime Minister Modi ji for the bright future of youth. In this context, today the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to give priority to Agniveers who have completed four years under this scheme in the recruitment of CAPFs and Assam Rifles," Shah said in a series of tweets in Hindi.

Unveiling the Agnipath scheme, defence minister Rajnath Singh said Indian youngsters will be provided an opportunity to serve in the armed forces as Agniveer. The 'Agniveers' will be given a good pay package and an exit retirement package after a service of four years. After four years, only 25 per cent of the Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre based on merit, willingness and medical fitness.

This move is aimed to bring down the ballooning salary and pension bills amid criticism that the move will adversely impact the professionalism, military ethos and fighting spirit of the over 14-lakh strong armed forces.

 'Agnipath' is a pan India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen and sailors. The scheme provides an opportunity for youth to serve in the regular cadre of the armed forces.

Those retained will serve for a full term of another 15 years. The first four years, served under a contract, are not likely to be taken into consideration for the fixation of the final pensionary benefits. The other 75 per cent 'Agniveers' will be demobilized, with an exit or "Seva Nidhi" package of Rs 11-12 lakh, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans for help in their second careers.