Army amends Agnipath scheme for broader scope, recruit people with skills

The Army has tweaked the Agnipath scheme to widen the eligibility criterion for Agniveers. The Agnipath scheme will now be open to pre-skilled youth, and ITI/Polytechnic graduates in the technical category as it is looking to recruit skilled Agniveers for technical branches. Under the amendment, the special impetus will be given to those with vocational training and to skilled candidates as it would help reduce the time spent on training.

According to the notification released on February 16, candidates who have passed Class 10 can apply to be recruited as an Agniveer (general duty in all arms). Candidates who have passed Class 12 can apply for the technical posts in all arms. Those who have passed Class 12 with a minimum of 60 percent marks can apply for the position of an Agniveer clerk.

Candidates who have passed at least Class 8 can apply for the Agniveer Tradesman posts. Now, those who have ITI-Polytechnic degrees can apply to the technical branch of the army after tweaks to the recruitment rules. The changes are expected to widen the scope and make the scheme open to more candidates.

The scheme was launched last year to recruit soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of the armed forces. All recruits will be hired only for a four-year period. The launch of the scheme saw widespread protests against it across the country, with agitators burning trains and holding sit-in protests.