Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran, AOC-in-C, Western Air Command, today said that the ‘AGNIPATH’ scheme is a transformative reform in the armed forces recruitment process which will not only a youthful profiling of the Armed forces but also provide a platform for the youth to don the military uniform and become confident and disciplined citizens. The Agniveers will be imparted military skills and experience that will instil discipline, leadership qualities and patriotism among the Agniveers apart from military skills and experience. Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran said this while addressing a press conference at Air Force Station, Jammu.
Air Marshal Prabhakaran said that this scheme will bring about a transformational shift towards a more tech savvy armed force in the country and will provide an opportunity to the youth tuned with the contemporary technological trends. The nation will be benefited by the infusion of highly inspired Agniveers with deeper understanding of self-discipline, diligence, adequately skilled and will be able to contribute in other sectors, he added.
Air Marshal informed that the enrolment for Agniveers will be based on ‘All India All Class’ basis and the eligible age will be from 17.5 to 21 years. Agniveers will meet the medical eligibility conditions laid down for enrolment in the armed forces as applicable to respective categories/trades, he added.
Air Marshal Prabhakaran also informed the media that the Agniveers will be offered an opportunity to apply for permanent enrolment in the Armed Forces as 25% of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in regular cadre of the Armed Forces for which applications will be considered in a centralised manner based on objective criteria including performance during their four-year engagement period.
While addressing the media, Air Marshal said that the Agniveers after the completion of their four years of service in military will be infused into the civil society where they can contribute immensely towards the nation building process. He further said that the Agniveers, on completion of their four-year tenure will be mature and self-disciplined with the realisation to excel professionally and personally.
With respect to the monetary benefits, Air Marshal Prabhakaran informed that the Agniveers will be provided with the attractive financial package for four years and would have adequate re-employment opportunities for those returning to society with armed force profile who can emerge as role models for the youth. He further informed that on completion of the engagement period of four years, Agniveers will be paid one time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package which shall comprise their contribution including accrued interest thereon and matching contribution from the Government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution including interest. Moreover, the ‘Seva Nidhi’ of approximately Rs 11.71 lakh would aid the Agniveer to pursue his/her future dreams without the financial pressure, he added.