‘Army to get its Agniveers by mid-2023’: Army Chief on new recruitment scheme

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Amidst the announcement of a brand new recruitment scheme resulting in violence at a number of locations within the nation the armed forces have introduced initiating the method to induct the primary batches of Agniveers.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Friday mentioned, “Training of first Agniveers will begin in December 2022, active service to commence in middle of 2023”

Talking concerning the course of to increase the recruitment base, “The decision of the Government has been received to grant a one-time waiver, increasing the entry age of recruitment to 23 years, for the recruitment cycle of 2022.” Pande mentioned.

The COVID-19 pandemic had led to digital halt on inductions. While the Army recruited jawans in 2019-2020, and there was no entrance since then. On the opposite hand the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force have each recruited within the earlier two years.

Sources within the Army confirmed {that a} notification relating to the Agnipath recruitment might be issued in two days.

Speaking on the problem Air Force Chief Air Chief marshal VR Chaudhari mentioned, “I am pleased to inform that the upper age limit for the first induction has been increased to 23 years,” and “This change would permit a larger section of the youth to enrol Agniveer. The selection process for the Air Force will start from Jun 24,” he mentioned.

The authorities lately introduced the Agnipath Scheme beneath which the youth might be inducted into the Armed Forces initially for 4 years. Once the 4 yr service is over all of them will depart and a re-induction course of might be held to absorb 25 p.c from them to function everlasting cadre of the forces. As per the federal government goal of the scheme is to make the navy youthful.

It is since then that protests in opposition to the scheme began.

Speaking on the matter Admiral R. Hari Kumar mentioned, “I didn’t anticipate any protests like this. We worked on the Agnipath scheme for almost a year & half…It’s single biggest Human Resources Management transformation in Indian military…Protests are happening due to misinformation and misunderstanding of the scheme”

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, the Agnipath initiative is meant to assist the Armed Forces keep a younger profile. It will present younger individuals who wish to put on the uniform an opportunity by recruiting younger expertise from the society who’re extra in sync with present expertise developments and returning expert, disciplined, and motivated personnel to society.

“This decision will provide an opportunity for many of our young, energetic and patriotic youth who, despite the COVID pandemic, were preparing to join the recruitment rallies, which couldn’t be completed in the last two years due COVID restrictions.” The Army Chief mentioned.