Service chiefs mount defence as protests over Agnipath rage

The three service chiefs on Friday mounted a defence of the Agnipath recruitment model for the short-term induction of soldiers in the military, arguing that it presented an opportunity to the youth to serve the nation, and military service would equip them with skills for subsequent employment, even as tens of thousands of angry defence aspirants ignored appeals for calm and intensified their protests across the country demanding that the scheme be rolled back.

- Rahul Singh

The Agnipath model, announced by defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday in the presence of the chiefs, has replaced the legacy system of recruitment with the aim to lower the age profile of the three services, ensure a fitter military and create a technically adept war fighting force capable of meeting future challenges. The recruits will be called Agniveers.

Army chief General Manoj Pande said people had perhaps not fully understood the contents and implications of Agnipath, leading to apprehension about the scheme. "Once they understand the contents, they will realise it is good for them and the armed forces," he said.

Pande said units and formations of the army were ready to embrace the change, and efforts were being made to spread awareness about the scheme down to the last soldiers. He said the announcements made by the government; different state governments, corporate houses and other agencies over the last two days on giving Agniveers priority in employment should reassure the youth and allay their concerns.

The Agnipath scheme, cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security earlier this week, seeks to recruit soldiers, including women, for only four years with a provision to retain 25% of them in the regular cadre for 15 more years after another round of screening, enhance the operational preparedness of the armed forces, and create a skilled and dynamic work force for employment in other sectors. There is now no other avenue for recruitment for personnel below officer rank (PBOR) in the army, air force and navy.