*Paromita Das
The man behind the weapon, not the weapon itself, determines the outcome of any war. The Indian Armed Forces are battle-tested units that have proven their worth in a number of conflicts. Those forces that do not reform and upgrade themselves, on the other hand, become obsolescent. As a result, it’s critical to keep the armed forces’ reform and upgrade cycle going at all times. The recent Agnipath scheme will be a game-changer in terms of not only bringing transformational reforms to the Armed Forces but also a societal behavioural change.
India is currently declaring “KarShapath- Agnipath, Agnipath, Agnipath.” It’s not a Bollywood scene, but a step toward a more developed future for India’s Armed Forces. However, a few people are baffled as to how India could change so quickly. The ongoing protests against the Agnipath scheme in various Indian states are actually a demand to push India back into its current comfort zone. However, we must recognize that comfort is incompatible with development.
The Indian government recently announced the “Agnipath Scheme,” a military recruitment reform. It is a scheme for army personnel recruitment in three branches of the Armed Forces. This plan aims to transform India into a nation with a strong military. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Indians to honor their service to the army.
The origins of the Agnipath concept
The launch of the Agnipath scheme is not a groundbreaking concept. In reality, it began its journey in the year 2020. Former CDS General BipinRawat, who was concerned about rapidly rising pension bills and revenue expenditure on salaries and other costs, came up with the idea. “Tour of Duty,” which dates back to the 2020s, was created to recruit jawans for a three-year term. General BipinRawat pushed for the Agnipath scheme, citing the need for our military force to develop a much younger and fitter cadre for the Short Service period.
“We are working on ideas to make Short Service Commission more attractive,” former CDS General BipinRawat said earlier, emphasizing the importance of the “Tour of Duty” concept. The SSC may have added financial incentives as well as avenues for officers leaving the military to become professionally armed for civil jobs.” The purpose of the Tour of Duty programme was to recruit physically fit young people to serve in the Indian army as volunteers. Originally, the scheme was intended to recruit young Indians to serve as Jawans and Officers. Initially, recruits were to be trained for a year before being inducted into a three-year Army service.
“We do not accept change,” said former CDS General BipinRawat, earlier. You won’t even be aware that the war has begun.” These were his words for the dream that resulted in the Indian military being strengthened. CDS BipinRawat, in an opinion piece on officer recruitment and shortages, stated that the army is attempting to make the SSC more “lucrative” for officers who are eventually edged for permanent service.
“For an officer who will only serve for 14 years, you don’t want to give him a pension, what can you do for them?” CDS Rawat had said, citing the need for the Army to make alternate arrangements for post-retirement jobs. Is it possible for you to provide him with training that will enable him to stand on his own two feet? At one point, we considered forcing him to pursue a one-year MBA. Can we make someone who joined the service with a BTech degree do a two-year MTech? Alternatively, can we offer him an ECHS (ex-servicemen contributory health scheme) to cover his medical (expenses)? The military will have to come up with a way to entice him (the applicants) to join the service.”
The foregoing statements demonstrate how dedicated former CDS BipinRawat was to transforming the Indian military into a benefit to the entire country and leading India to the status of a superpower.
What is the Agnipath scheme, and how does it work?
Individuals interested in joining the Defense Forces must go through a recruitment process as part of the scheme. The plan calls for more fit and younger troops to be stationed at our borders. It includes the appointment of 25% of Agniveers to the Armed Forces’ permanent cadre. While the remaining 75% will have the opportunity to plan their various career paths. The Agniveers will also receive a financial package worth Rs 12 lakh as part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. On the other hand, the scheme is currently mired in controversy over its impact on the Armed Forces’ professionalism. It will also be lacking in cohesion and regimentation, according to critics.
Agnipath Scheme will be beneficial to the country
The center announced the Agnipath scheme for youth recruitment in the Armed Forces in an effort to transform the Armed Forces’ Human Resources Management. All youth between the ages of 17.5 and 21 will be able to participate in the Agnipath Scheme on a voluntary basis. As a result of the scheme, the average age of the armed forces will be drastically reduced, from 32 years to 26 years. This will result in more agile and fit personnel in the armed forces, bolstering the nation’s security.
The program will strike a delicate balance between young and experienced military personnel. Furthermore, the brief military service will instil patriotism, teamwork, improved physical fitness, ingrained loyalty, and universal youth availability in critical situations such as internal, external, or natural threats.
Agnipath Scheme is a win-win situation for youth
Aside from the opportunity to serve in one of the most prestigious professions, the youth will be well compensated during their service. The starting monthly salary will be around Rs 30000, increasing to Rs 40000 by the end of the service. After four years of service, the candidate will receive around 11.71 lakhs in the form of a SevaNidhi Package, plus interest. Furthermore, many states and organizations are developing their own Agniveer benefits. The UP government has apparently stated that Agniveers will be given priority in UP Police and allied forces jobs.
The Home Ministry has also made similar announcements. The Agniveers will be given first priority in the recruitment of CAPFs and Assam Rifles, according to the statement. More states are launching priority initiatives for Agniveers. A senior government official also stated that these Agniveers will be given all of the assistance they require in furthering their education or starting a business. “Those who want to be entrepreneurs will get a financial package and a bank loan scheme,” the official said.
Those who want to continue their education will be given a class 12 equivalent certificate and a bridging course. Those seeking jobs in CAPFs and state police will be given first priority. They are also being given opportunities in other sectors.”
Furthermore, the army’s experience will provide a fantastic platform for young people to learn skills such as self-defense, sports, discipline, time management, and physical fitness.
However, bringing major reforms to a large democratic country like India has always been difficult. The ongoing anti-scheme protests are a combination of a lack of credible information about the scheme and political disinformation to gain political advantage from it. As a result, when the correct information is disseminated, the unfounded and misinformed protest will fade away.
Overall, the scheme will prove to be a major game-changer that will only increase the military’s effectiveness and society’s ethical upliftment.
The dominance of some sections of our society is alarming in the midst of all the backlash and protests in almost every state of India. They’re deliberately stoking fire in order to wreak havoc on the government. People have been protesting Agnipath for a long time. The country must choose between standing with one of the most coveted Army officers and standing with an unruly mob posing as nationalists.
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