Agnipath scheme: Checkmate the false narrative as it’s a game-changer for India and the defence forces

SHARE:

The Agnipath scheme was announced on 14 June 2022 as a new model of recruitment in the defence forces, wherein a new category of entrants known as Agniveers will be inducted for a period of four years, including the training period of six months. These personnel, though recruited under respective service acts, will form a different rank altogether.

The scheme is a game-changer on multiple counts, though a false narrative is being built that this has been launched to save the defence pension. While outgo on pay and pension remains a concern in the realms of the defence budget as more than 50 per cent outgo on these two leaves a marginal budget for capital procurement, the scheme being solely linked to saving the defence pension is far from the truth, though some incidental benefits will accrue.

Some analysts have calculated the savings on account of pension and the figures indicate that the saving is very marginal for a country like India which has just invested to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore on the S-400 missile defence system alone, besides being the third largest defence importer in the world. This narrative, therefore, needs to be quelled. It will then put us in an open and objective frame of mind to analyse the scheme and come out with its value points, including the likely challenges if any.

The scheme aims to change a lot in the defence forces, besides attempting to transform the youth of the nation. Youth in India is going to be one of the biggest game-changer, if suitably utilised. While a number of countries in the world are having a larger percentage of ageing population, India is at the cusp of a population dividend in the form of ‘youth bulge’. But this will be to our advantage only when this youth is having nationalistic feelings, motivated, skilled and disciplined. In absence of these qualities, they will become a liability, especially when confronted with unemployment, poverty and social divide on various counts.

When the National Cadet Corps was raised on 15 July 1948, a number of deliberations were undertaken to find the best organisation suited for nurturing the NCC and the ultimate choice was the defence forces. It is to the credit of the defence forces that they assumed this responsibility at a time when the India-Pakistan war of 1947-48 was still ongoing. It was due to this primary reason of youth connecting better to the defence forces, necessary transformation responsibility is given to the school and college-going children to our defence forces. Is there any input to suggest that the capacity of the defence forces was adversely affected due to this nation-building exercise? There is none.

***

Also Read

Agnipath scheme has its reasons, but government should have initiated it as a pilot project

How's the josh? Why Centre's new Agnipath recruitment programme for soldiers is considered revolutionary

Education ministry to recognise in-service training received by 'Agniveers' as credits for graduation

***

Now a new challenge has come up for the nation wherein certain value sets have to be imbibed in the youth to become the game-changer for the national growth. Due credit must be given to the architects of the Agnipath scheme as it has created a win-win situation wherein it is doing major good to the defence forces while addressing the concerns of the youth in the process. Adorning the uniform for the first time is a moment of immense pride and is truly an unforgettable moment. The youth joining as an Agniveer will be able to serve the nation even if it is for a period of four years, they will be reasonably well paid as compared to their civil counterparts, they will be able to experience and feel the diversity of this nation which is our biggest strength, they will be entitled to risk coverage during their service, they will be skilled, given additional educational qualifications, a handsome severance package of Rs 11-12 lakh (which will be tax free), besides getting the chance for permanent absorption up to the strength of 25 percent which is a reasonably high percentage of selection given the current national dynamics. Besides, these people will be in a better condition to compete on merit in CAPF/State Police Forces/ other government jobs. Undoubtedly, their profile will improve in every domain as compared to their current status.

As far as the defence forces are concerned, they will have multiple advantages. Average age profile will come down from the current 32 years to close to 26 years in the next few years. Overall motivation level and competition will improve, giving distinct advantages to the units. Those 25 per cent re-inducted will be the best amongst the lot and will be highly capable individuals. They will be able to fight the future wars more efficiently while handling sophisticated weapons and the equipment. Being adept with modern tools of automation, at least in its functional use, they will be able to efficiently function in a networked environment.

A scheme which has been curated for the good of the defence forces and the nation is unnecessarily getting flak and is getting stuck in a wrong pension-saving narrative. India has been assisting Sri Lanka with billions of dollars and to think that an inefficient scheme has been brought in to save the pension nullifies the narrative altogether, especially when pittance is being saved. The real motive of the scheme needs to be appreciated and conveyed, as against adding apprehensions in the young minds.

The writer is a retired Army veteran. Views expressed are personal.

Read all the Latest News, Trending NewsCricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Also Read

[TRENDING]_$type=ticker$count=9$cols=4$cate=0$color=#0096a9$sp=3500

[RECENT]_$type=list$author=hide$comment=hide$va=0

Name

'Badhaai Do' movie,1,'The Kerala Story',2,'Zeeshan Maggie Point',1,"kerala story",1,@preganest,1,100W SuperVOOC Charging,1,90s actress,1,Access to Diabetes Care,1,accident,2,Actor Salman Khan,1,Actress Priyanka Chopra,1,Air India,1,Air Quality,1,Alia Bhatt,1,All-Round Performance,1,Amazon,1,Anushka Sharma,1,App-Based Taxis,1,Arjun Tendulkar,1,Arshia Goswami,1,Article,4,Atlee Kumar,1,back pain,1,Bageshwar Dham,1,bank holiday schedule,1,bank offers,1,Barbed wire,1,BH registration,1,BH-Series,1,Bhopal,3,Bhupesh Baghel,1,Bike Rider Agastya Chauhan,1,birthday,2,BJP,2,Bobby Deol,1,bodyguard missbehave,1,BOE screen.,1,Bollywood,2,Bollywood Actor,1,Bollywood Couple,1,Bollywood Diwali,1,Bollywood Journey,1,Bollywood Stars,1,borrowing,1,Box Office Collection,1,Boxing Champion Mary Kom,1,bribery allegations,1,budget.,1,Bundelkhand,1,Business,24,camera setup,1,Career,1,Career Growth,1,Career Setbacks,1,Cash for Query Case,1,Celebrity Celebrations,1,Celebrity Diwali,1,Chhatarpur,1,Chhattisgarh Election,1,Chinese Stocks,1,CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan,6,codecanyon,3,Comedian,1,Congress,2,Congress MLA Omkar Singh Markam,1,Controversial Movie,1,converting to Islam,1,Counterclaims,1,couples goal,1,creativity,1,Cricket,1,Crime news,1,Deadlifts 60 kg,1,Deendayal Antyodaya Rasoi Kendras,1,Deepika Padukone,1,Defamatory Posters,1,defense personnel,1,Delhi airport,1,Delhi Fire Service,1,Delhi metro,1,Delhi Police,1,Delhi Pollution,2,Development Scheme,1,Devotees,1,Dhanteras,1,Dhanteras 2023,1,Dharmendra,1,Dhirendra Shastri,2,Diabetes Awareness,1,Diabetes Epidemic,1,Diabetes Prevention,1,Diamond jewelry,1,Diesel Vehicles,1,Disastrous Plastic Surgeries,1,discounts,1,District hospitals,1,Diwali 2023,4,Diwali a National Holiday,1,Diwali Announcement,1,Diwali bank holidays,1,Diwali Celebration,1,Diwali deal,1,Diwali Gift,1,Diwali Moments,1,Diwali offers,1,Donatella Versace,1,DPR,4,Dubai woman,1,early signs,1,Earnings Growth,1,Education / Employment,3,Eid Party,1,Eight-Year-Old,1,Election Commission,1,Election Promises,1,election year,1,Elections 2024,2,Enchanting Moments,1,Entertainment,21,Environment,1,Environmental Measures,1,Family Celebration,1,Fan Frenzy,1,Fan Reactions,1,Fan Reactions.,1,Fashion,1,Female Engineer Uber Driver,1,Festive deals,1,Film 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan',1,Filmfare Awards 2023,1,Filmy Proposal,1,Financial Benefits,1,financial transactions,1,Fire Incidents,1,Firecrackers,1,Fireworks,1,first water metro,1,fiscal deficit,1,Food,2,free earbuds,1,free food grain scheme,1,Gajakesari Rajyoga,1,Gemini,1,Global Health,1,Global Market Outlook.,1,Gold savings,1,Goldman Sachs,1,Government,1,government employees,1,Government spending,1,Govinda,1,Griha Lakshmi Yojana,1,Hakuto-R,1,health sector,1,Healthcare Awareness.,1,Hero,1,Hindu Heritage.,1,Historic Revival,1,Hong Kong,1,iconic career.,1,IIFA 2023,1,IIT Indore,1,Inauguration,1,India,4,India news,4879,Indian festivals,1,Indian Muslim,1,Indian news,8,Indian road tax,1,Indian Shares,1,Indore,3,Indore court,1,instragram,1,Insulin Discovery,1,Investment Opportunities,1,IPL,1,IPL 2023,2,IT,1,Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra,1,Jammu and Kashmir,1,Jewelry discounts,1,Jiah Khan,1,Job,1,Kamal Nath,1,Kanya Vivah-Nikah Yojana,1,Karan Kundra,1,Kareena Kapoor,1,Katrina Kaif,1,Kiara Advani,1,Kidney failure,1,kidney health,1,kidney issues,1,kidney symptoms,1,KL Rahul.,1,Kochi,1,Krishna Priya,1,Kupwara,1,Latest news,1,leaked design,1,legal inquiry,1,Life Changing tips,1,Lifestyle,12,Lifstyle,1,Lok Sabha Ethics Committee,1,loss of cat,1,Love Jihad,1,Love Story,1,Lucknow,1,Lucky Zodiac Signs,1,Maa Kali',1,Madhya Pradesh,23,Mahakal lok,1,Mahakaleshwar temple,1,Mahtari Vandan Yojana,1,Mahua Moitra,1,main,19,Make in India,1,Man naked and garlanded with shoes,1,Mantralya,1,Market Trends,1,Mata Sharda Temple,1,Material Happiness,1,medical attention.,1,Men wearing skirt,1,Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023,1,Mexican Giant Turtle,1,Mir,1,MIT,1,mobile phone,1,modular kitchens,1,Moon,1,Movie Premiere,1,MP Election 2023,1,MP Weather Update,2,multi-state travel,1,Mumbai,2,Munawwar Farooqui,1,National,162,National Paper Airplane Day 2023,1,national security,1,Navlakha,1,Neelam Kothari,1,Netherlands,1,News,1,Nick Jonas,1,Northeastern University,1,Nothing Phone (1),1,ODI Wicket,1,Ola,1,One Nation One Number Plate,1,OnePlus 11 5G,1,opposition members,1,Osho,1,Paramilitary Forces,1,Parenthood,1,Pennsylvania,1,Personal Life Controversies,1,pet parrots,1,plants mango saplings,1,PM Narendra Modi,3,politics,4,Pollution Crisis,1,Pradeep Mishra,1,pricing,1,private companies,1,Priyanka Chopra,1,Profession,1,Prosperity,1,PTI – The Siasat Daily,3,Rachit Agarwal,1,Ranbir Kapoor,1,Rashid rover,1,Realme GT 5 Pro,1,Realme Narzo N53,1,record-breaking century,1,regional variations,1,relationships,1,Religious Significance,1,renewable energy sector,1,Reserve Bank of India,1,Revival Efforts,1,rib pain,1,Romantic Photos,1,Royal deaths,1,Rs 70 lakh,1,Russia Ukraine ongoing conflict,1,Sadar Bazaar,1,Safety Measures.,1,Sagar,1,Sagittarius,1,salman khan,3,Sanatan Dharma,1,Sara Tendulkar,1,Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Park,1,Shah Rukh Khan,1,Shah Rukh Khan's Airport Video goes viral,1,Shalini's Unconventional Divorce Photoshoot,1,Shubam Gill,1,Shubham Gill,1,Sidharth Malhotra.,1,Sir Frederick Banting,1,Six-month-old Infant Dies,1,smartphone,2,Snapdragon processor,1,Snapdragon processor.,1,Social Dynamics,1,social media,2,Social Media Reactions,1,Sooraj Pancholi,1,South Actresses,1,South Africa,1,South Indian Cinema,1,South Indian Comedian,1,specifications,2,Spending husband's money,1,Sports,17,stomach pain,1,storage options,1,Structural Growth,1,subsidies,1,Summer Season,1,Supreme Court,1,Sushant Singh Rajput,1,T20 World Cup,1,Tarek Fatah,1,Taurus,1,tax collection,1,Tech,5,Tejasswi Prakash,1,Temples,1,Tensions,1,Theater Chaos,1,Tiger 3,1,Tilak Nagar,1,Top jewelers.,1,Transport Department,1,Trending,3,Trinamool Congress,1,tweet,1,Uber,1,Ujjain,1,Ukraine Defence Ministry,1,University of Glasgow,1,urban housing,1,US-Canada Border,1,US-India Visa,1,vehicle registration.,1,Vicky Kaushal,1,video viral,2,Viral news,1,Viral Sexy Video,1,viral video,4,Virat Kohli,1,Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir,2,Water crisis,1,Wedding Anniversary,1,WiFi,1,Wildlife,1,Wired Food Combinations,1,Women Empowerment,1,World Diabetes Day,1,World News,2194,youth,1,youtuber,1,
ltr
item
Agnipath scheme: Checkmate the false narrative as it’s a game-changer for India and the defence forces
Agnipath scheme: Checkmate the false narrative as it’s a game-changer for India and the defence forces
ASE News
https://www.asenews.page/2022/06/agnipath-scheme-checkmate-false.html
https://www.asenews.page/
https://www.asenews.page/
https://www.asenews.page/2022/06/agnipath-scheme-checkmate-false.html
true
8343353446356446311
UTF-8
Loaded All Posts Not found any posts VIEW ALL Readmore Reply Cancel reply Delete By Home PAGES POSTS View All RECOMMENDED FOR YOU LABEL ARCHIVE SEARCH ALL POSTS Not found any post match with your request Back Home Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat January February March April May June July August September October November December Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec just now 1 minute ago $$1$$ minutes ago 1 hour ago $$1$$ hours ago Yesterday $$1$$ days ago $$1$$ weeks ago more than 5 weeks ago Followers Follow THIS PREMIUM CONTENT IS LOCKED STEP 1: Share to a social network STEP 2: Click the link on your social network Copy All Code Select All Code All codes were copied to your clipboard Can not copy the codes / texts, please press [CTRL]+[C] (or CMD+C with Mac) to copy Table of Content