As PM Modi Interacts With First Batch of Agniveers, Govt Gives Out Details on Future of Agnipath Recruits

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday interacted with the first batch of Agniveers from all three services of the armed force via video conferencing, a day after Army Day was observed on Sunday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also virtually attended the exercise.

The PM said that the Agniveer policy will be a game changer in strengthening our Armed Forces and making them future ready. Discussing the new fronts of contactless warfare and challenges of cyber warfare, he said technologically-advanced soldiers will play a key role in our armed forces, as per a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The PM also expressed happiness at how women Agniveers are adding pride to the Naval forces, and said that he looks forward to seeing women Agniveers in all three forces, as per the statement.

Under the Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14 last year, the three services are recruiting youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years and 21 years for four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

For 2022, the upper age limit was extended to 23 years.

While opposition parties have criticised the exercise, the government has defended it saying it will make the armed forces more youthful and cater to its current needs.

As per the government, while many will be recruited as permanent cadre after four years, the rest will get several benefits including a financial package of about Rs 12 lakhs, priority under bank loan schemes and bridging courses of choice for those wishing to study further.

Additionally, Agniveers will be given priority in the CAPFs, Assam Rifles and police and allied forces in several states. Several major companies in sectors like IT, security and engineering have also announced preference in hiring will be given to Agniveers, as per the government.

Read all the Latest India News here