<h5>What is the Agnipath scheme?</h5>  <p>Agnipath is a new scheme by the Indian Government. It will be responsible for the recruitment of youngsters into the Indian Armed Forces. The Indian Armed Forces have three branches - the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force.
A total of 46,000-50,000 men and women between the ages of 17.5 to 21 years will be recruited through this scheme each year. They will be called Agniveers.
</p> <h5>How did people join the Armed Forces before the Agnipath scheme?</h5>  <p>Prior to the Agnipath scheme, the way that the Indian Armed Forces recruited soldiers was very different.
Exams were held to determine which of the candidates applying to join the Armed Forces were the most suitable. The selected candidates would join the Armed Forces for fifteen years. During this time, most of them would rise to high positions, like officers, within the Armed Forces.
After fifteen years of service, they would retire and receive pensions and other benefits from the Government throughout their lives.</p> <h5>How is the Agnipath scheme different?</h5>  <p>Agniveers will serve in the Armed Forces for four years, including a six-month training period.
After four years, most of the Agniveers will have to leave the Armed Forces and go back to regular life. They will receive a salary every month and a lump-sum amount of Rs. 11.71 lakhs after their four-year service period is over, but no other pension or financial benefits.
Only twenty-five percent of the 46,000 youngsters recruited will be considered to stay on with the Armed Forces full-time. They will be eligible to receive the pensions and benefits that the army offers.</p> <h5>Why did the Government come up with the Agnipath scheme?</h5>  <p>To cut down the costs of salaries and pensions that full-time soldiers had to be paid. Since 2020 alone, the Government has had to set aside Rs. 3 lakh crores to pay for pensions. This year, the Government has set aside Rs. 1.1 lakh crores out of the total defence budget of Rs. 5.2 lakh crores only for pensions.</p>
<p>This is eating into the military’s ability to upgrade itself. Creating a segment of temporary soldiers who won’t need to be paid pensions will help the Government save a ton of money which it can then use to modernise the military.</p>
<p>Money is not the only reason behind the Agnipath scheme. The Government wants to recruit youngsters to create a younger and fitter army.
</p> <h5>How have the people responded to the Agnipath scheme?</h5>  <p>There’s a mixed reaction from the people. For people who thought that serving in the army for fifteen years is too much, this is a perfect opportunity. This way they get to experience army life and learn important skills.</p>
<p>Others aren’t that happy with this scheme. Protests have broken out in many parts of the country to object to it. It is their understanding that the youth join the Armed Forces because it assures a life of prestige and stability for them. Their objective is to serve their country for many years, rise through the ranks to become officers and retire with pensions and additional benefits.</p>
<p>Now, Agnipath employs them for only four years, after which they have to face an uncertain job market all over again. Do you think temporary soldiers are a good or bad idea for the Indian Armed Forces?
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The Government’s new way of recruiting people into the Armed Forces has made some people happy and others very unhappy. Let’s learn more about it.

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