The proposal, which will come into effect immediately, was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on Tuesday morning.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh and chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force on Tuesday announced a significant reform on how soldiers across the three services will be recruited under the new Agnipath scheme which will come into effect immediately. Soldiers recruited under the scheme will be called Agniveers. A report in the Indian Express says.
“This is a major defence policy reform introduced by the Government to usher in a new era in the Human Resource policy of the three services. The policy, which comes into immediate effect, will hereafter govern the enrolment for the three services,” the government said in a statement.
The proposal was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security on Tuesday morning. Moving forward it will make the permanent force levels much leaner for the over 13-lakh strong armed forces in the country.
“This is a major defence policy reform introduced by the Government to usher in a new era in the Human Resource policy of the three services. The policy, which comes into immediate effect, will hereafter govern the enrolment for the three services,” the government said in a statement.
Under the scheme, most Indian soldiers will leave the service in just four years, after completing a Tour of Duty. Of the 45,000 to 50,000 recruited annually, only 25 per cent will be allowed to continue for another 15 years under permanent commission.
The move will considerably reduce the defence pension bill, which has been a major concern for governments for many years.
He said the Agnipath recruitment scheme is a transformative initiative and has been brought to strengthen India’s security. Defence minister said this will give more opportunity for employment and these trained men will an asset in the corporate world.
All earning during service will be exempt of income tax and in case of death of soldier, there will be a Rs 1 crore payout. The scheme is a part of the government’s efforts toward reducing expenditure and the age profile of the defence forces.
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