After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, NDA allies JDU and LJP (Ram Vilas) expressed concerns over the Agnipath scheme.
The Indian Army has reviewed the Agnipath scheme and has made several recommendations to improve it. These include increasing the percentage of Agniveers, who join regular service after completing 4 years, from the current 25 percent to 60-70 percent.
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Review and Concerns
After the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, NDA allies JDU and LJP (Ram Vilas) expressed concerns over the Agnipath scheme. They urged the government to review it. The Indian Army has now conducted a review to ensure smooth inclusion of Agniveers and maintain “operational efficiency.”
Suggestions for Improvement
Sources in the defence and security establishment mentioned that the usefulness of the Agnipath scheme is being evaluated by the armed forces and the defence ministry. The Indian Army suggested increasing the service period from 4 years to 7-8 years. Additionally, they recommended increasing the entry age for Agniveers in the technical field to 23 years. They also suggested that ex-gratia should be provided for disability during training and that exit management should be handled by a professional agency. Moreover, if an Agniveer dies in war, their family should receive a subsistence allowance.
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Purpose and Concerns
The Agnipath scheme was initially launched to reduce the pension bill and boost youth recruitment in the armed forces. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of training and expertise among newly recruited soldiers. Sources indicate that if the recruitment from the Agnipath scheme is stopped, the Indian Army will face a significant shortage of personnel below officer rank. This shortage could take more than a decade to fill. Therefore, improving the Agnipath scheme is necessary to recruit soldiers faster and provide comprehensive training. This will help in creating a young force profile without compromising operational capabilities while reducing the pension bill.
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Addressing Experience Issues
A source mentioned, “The experience issue can be resolved with a slight change. Personnel recruited under the old recruitment scheme generally retired at the age of 35. Those who were promoted to the rank of Subedar Major retired at the age of 52. They were experienced and fully trained in every operational skill and drill.” By extending the service period and increasing the inclusion percentage, the Army aims to ensure that Agniveers gain sufficient experience and training.
In conclusion, the Indian Army’s recommendations for the Agnipath scheme focus on enhancing the inclusion and training of Agniveers to maintain operational efficiency and address concerns related to the lack of experience and expertise among new recruits.
