Current Status of Agnipath Scheme
In a significant development amid ongoing debates over the Agnipath policy, a top Indian Army officer reported that approximately one lakh Agniveers have joined the force, with 70% currently serving in various units. Lieutenant General Channira Bansi Ponnappa, the Army’s Adjutant General, disclosed these details to news agency ANI.
Details of the Recruitment
The Agnipath scheme, launched in June 2022, saw its first batch recruited and enrolled by December 2022-January 2023. According to Lieutenant General Ponnappa, around 200 of the one lakh Agniveers are women, with 100 female police personnel included. The recruitment process for the 2024-25 cycle is ongoing, with 50,000 vacancies announced for the current year.
Opposition parties have frequently criticized the Agnipath policy, accusing the central government of creating “two different classes” of soldiers. However, Lieutenant General Ponnappa refuted these claims, emphasizing that Agniveers undertake all operational and professional duties alongside other recruits, wearing the same uniform and fully integrated into their units.
The Agnipath Scheme
The short-service Agnipath scheme allows aspirants, both male and female aged 17.5 to 21, to join the armed forces for four years as Agniveers. After this period, no more than 25% of a retiring batch will be selected for the permanent cadre. Quotas have been announced for retiring Agniveers in various central and state government services, including the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
In the recent general elections, the ruling BJP performed poorly in northern states, which traditionally have a high number of youths joining the armed forces. The Agnipath policy is believed to have contributed to this outcome. A BJP ally has already called for a review of the scheme, reflecting its contentious nature and impact on the party’s electoral performance.
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