Agnipath Scheme

Introduction

• Agnipath scheme is a scheme in which selected candidates will get an opportunity to serve as Agniveer in the Indian Armed Forces.
• The period of service in the Indian Armed Forces under Agnipath Scheme is Four Years including training period.
• To become Agniveer, the candidate's age should be between 17.5 to 21 years.
• But the age limit for the first recruitment under Agnipath Scheme for the year 2022 is 23 years.
• This year 46,000 Agniveers will be recruited.
• The objective behind starting this scheme to give an opportunity to youth to serve in Indian Armed Forces.
• And imparting military discipline, motivation, skill and physical fitness.
• 25% of the total recruited Agniveer will have the opportunity to apply for permanent enrolment after four year of service based on merit and need.
• The Agniveers will be enrolled through online centralise system with specialised rallies and campus interviews from recognised technical institutions like Industrial Training Institutes and National Skills Qualification Framework.
• Enrolment will be based on All India All Class basis.
• The educational qualification for Agniveers for enrolment in different categories will remain the same. (Example :- For entry in General Duty (GD) soldier, the educational qualification is Class 10th).
• After recruitment, Agniveer will undergo rigorous military training at the existing training centres.

Benefits

The benefits under Agnipath scheme are as follows :-

1. Monthly Salary :-

   Year	Monthly Salary	In Hand Salary (70%)
   1st Year	Rs. 30,000/-	Rs. 21,000/-
   2nd Year	Rs. 33,000/-	Rs. 23,100/-
   3rd Year	Rs. 36,500/-	Rs. 25580/-
   4th Year	Rs. 40,000/-	Rs. 28,000/-

2. Allowances :-
   • Risk & hardship Allowance, and all other applicable allowances.
3. Seva Nidhi :-
   • The candidate will have to contribute 30 percent of his salary to the Seva Nidhi.
   • Same amount will be deposited by the government in the Seva Nidhi fund account of the candidate.
   • After 4 years, the amount contributed by the candidate and the government will be approximately 11.71 Lacs Rupees, which will be exempted from tax.
   • All this amount will be provided to the candidate after completing 4 year of service.
   • The distribution of Seva Nidhi Fund are as follows :-

     Year	Contribution by Agniveer Corpus Fund (30% of Salary)	Contribution to Corpus Fund by Government of India
     1st Year	Rs. 9,000/-	Rs. 9,000/-
     2nd Year	Rs. 9,900/-	Rs. 9,900/-
     3rd Year	Rs. 10,950/-	Rs. 10,950/-
     4th Year	Rs. 12,000/-	Rs. 12,000/-
     Total Contribution In Agniveer Corpus Fund	Rs. 5.02 Lakh.	Rs. 5.02 Lakh
     Amount received after 4 years	Rs. 11.71 Lakh.

4. Death Compensation :-
   • A non-contributory life insurance cover of Rs. 48 Lakh will be provided to each Agniveer.
   • In case of Agniveer's death during service, an ex-gratia of Rs. 44 Lakh will be given by the government.
   • Payment for the unserved portion up to 4 years including the 4 year amount of Seva Nidhi will be given by the Government on the death of Agniveer during his service.
5. Disability Compensation :-
   • Compensation on the basis of percentage of disability as decided by the Medical Officers.
   • The amount of compensation on the basis of disability percentage is given below :-

     Disability Percentage	Amount of Compensation
     100%	Rs. 44 Lacs.
     75%	Rs. 25 Lacs.
     50%	Rs. 15 Lacs.

Eligibility

• Applicant should be between the age group of 17.5 years to 21 years.
• The age limit is 23 years for only first recruitment of 2022, thereafter the age limit is 21 years.
• Candidate should be medically fit.

Number of Vacancy

Features of the Scheme

• Agnipath scheme is a short term employment scheme for the youths of India.
• Under Agnipath scheme youths will be recruited in the 3 wings of Indian Armed Forces (Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Airforce) as Agniveers.
• The employment tenure will be four years including training period.
• After four years, 25% of Agniveers will be selected to be enrolled in the Armed Forces as a regular cadre.
• This scheme will enhance the abilities and qualities of the youths.
• In future women will also inducted in the Armed Forces under Agnipath Scheme.
• Under Agnipath scheme Agniveers gets good financial package in which their 1st year annual package is approximately Rs. 4.76 Lakh.
• The 4th year annual package of Agniveer is approximately Rs. 6.92 Lakh.
• Other than that Risk and Hardship allowance, Ration, Dress, Travel allowance are also applicable in this scheme.
• Agniveer will also have to contribute 30% percent of his salary in Seva Nidhi Fund.
• The equal amount is contributed by the Government of India.
• After 4 years, an amount o Rs. 11.71 Lakh will be given to Agniveer which is exempted from tax.
• A non-contributory insurance cove of Rs. 48 Lakhs will also provided under this scheme.
• If in case, Agniveer got martyred or dead in the line of duty, then additional Ex gratia of Rs. 44 Lakh will be given to his family.
• If in service Agniveer got disabled then according to the percent disability laid down by medical authorities, a one time Ex Gratia compensation will be provided.
• One time ex-gratia of Rs. 44/25/15 Lakhs for 100%/75%/50% disability respectively as a disability compensation.

Important Links

• Agnipath Official Press Announcement.
• Official Website of Indian Army.
• Official Website of Indian Navy.
• Official Website of Indian Air Force.
• Agnipath English Leaflet(Guidelines).
• Agnipath Hindi Leaflet(Guidelines).
• Agnipath Information Booklet.
• Agnipath FAQs.