look news india
The ambitious ‘Agnipath Scheme’ launched by the Central Government in June 2022 has now reached its most important milestone. The first batch of Agniveers recruited in the Army, Navy and Air Force are about to complete their stipulated tenure of 4 years. The exit window of the first batch of Navy and Air Force is scheduled in October-November 2026 and the departure of large batches of Indian Army is scheduled between December 2026 and January 2027. Under the rules, a maximum of 25 percent of the outstanding Agniveers from the total batch will be selected for further 15 years of full service as regular (permanent) cadre in the Armed Forces. The remaining 75 per cent of Agniveer will return to civilian life with a one-time financial package, specific certificates and future employment security options.
‘Seva Nidhi’ package will be provided as financial support to the outgoing firefighters after completing a successful tenure of four years. During 4 years, 30% amount has been deducted from Agniveer’s monthly salary and the same amount (30%) has been deposited every month in his corpus fund by the Central Government. In this way, the original contribution in 4 years becomes approximately Rs 10.04 lakh, on which adding the interest earned, the total package becomes approximately Rs 11.71 lakh. The biggest feature of this Seva Nidhi package is that it is completely tax-exempted. Apart from this, the facility of Priority Sector Lending and bank loans at concessional rates has also been ensured to the firefighters to start their own business or startup.
The Central and various State Governments have taken several major policy decisions to rehabilitate 75% of the fire fighters coming out of the armed forces. Under the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs, special provision has been made for reservation for ex-fire veterans in the posts of Constable (General Duty) in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF – BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) and Assam Rifles. Along with this, they will be given the benefit of relaxation in Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and special relaxation of 3 to 5 years in the upper age limit. Even at the state level, governments like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan have notified rules to provide 10% to 20% horizontal reservation and direct preference to ex-fire veterans in direct recruitment to their police forces, forest guards and jail warders.
The doors of education and corporate sector have also been kept wide open for the youth returning to the society after 4 years of military training and discipline. In coordination with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Skill Development, each Agniveer will be given a standardized ‘Agniveer Skill Certificate’, in which complete details of his technical proficiency, leadership ability, logistics and operational skills will be recorded. Youth admitted on the basis of 10th pass will be provided a special 12th class equivalency certificate through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). At the same time, for higher education, a 3-year in-service customized skill-based degree program has been arranged through Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Major corporate houses and private security agencies of the country have also formulated special hiring policies to provide direct employment to ex-firefighters in logistics, security, administration and aviation sectors.
Firefighters returning to civilian life are not eligible for monthly lifetime pension or gratuity like regular soldiers. However, during the service period of 4 years, he was provided a non-contributory life insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh. This combination of a capital investment of approximately Rs 11.71 lakh for the youth aged 22 to 25 years on completion of tenure, age relaxation and reservation in government jobs and specific military training provides a stronger and competitive platform to ex-Agniveers to start the second innings of their career as compared to other youth.