How India plans to make its armed forces younger and fitter

Dubai: India is revamping its recruitment process for military personnel below officer rank, in an effort to make its troops fitter and younger on the front lines. Under the new system announced on Tuesday, men and women between the ages of 17 and a half and 21 will be brought into the armed forces for a maximum of four years.

Here’s a look at the new Agnipath scheme.

The Agnipath (path of fire) scheme announced by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday is a recruitment programme for Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces.

The youth selected under this scheme will be known as ‘Agniveers’ and about 46,000 will be recruited this year.

The Agniveers will form a distinct rank in the three services, and will also wear a distinct insignia as part of their uniform.

"The scheme will increase employment opportunities and aim to create a youthful profile of the Armed forces," Defence Minister Singh said.

Military officials said the new system would help bring down the average age of the armed forces.

In the Indian army, the largest of the three services, the average age would drop to 26 from 32, Army chief General Manoj Pande, said.

The move is designed to attract young talent and create ‘future ready’ soldiers.

"There won't be any compromise on the skillset of Agniveers. We will deploy Agniveers on borders," General Pande said.

"Agnipath scheme aims to bring a paradigm shift in recruitment in armed forces. The scheme will help ensure optimum balance between youth and experience in the Army."

Analysts said the move would bring down the armed force's pension costs, which along with salaries, form the largest chunk of the defence budget.

Recruitment will begin within 90 days under the scheme which will bring ‘all India, all class’ recruitment to the services. The armed forces will conduct recruitment rallies at various campuses. Enrollment will be done through an online centralised system for all three services.

Under the new system, men and women between the ages of 17 and a half and 21 will be recruited into the armed forces. The recruits will train for six months and serve in the military for three and a half years.

During this period, the Agniveers will be imparted with various military skills and experience, discipline, physical fitness and leadership qualities.

At the end of the tenure, 25 per cent of the recruits are expected to be retained in the armed forces. These soldiers, selected for enrolment in the Armed Forces as regular cadre, will be required to serve for a further engagement period of at least 15 years.

The others will be infused into the civil society where they can contribute towards the nation building process. The skills gained by each 'Agniveer' will be recognised in a certificate to form part of his unique resume.

Traditionally, soldiers serve for about two decades with years of interspersed training and then retire with a guaranteed pension.

Agniveers will be offered a salary package of Rs 476,000 in the first year which goes up to Rs 692,000 in the final year.

During this period, 30 per cent of their salary will be set aside under a Seva Nidhi programme, and the government will contribute an equal amount every month.

The one-time 'Seva Nidhi' package of Rs 1.17 million on release after four years will be exempt from Income Tax.

The recruits will not be entitled to gratuity and pension.

Agniveers will be provided non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs 4.8 million for their terms in the armed forces.

India has one of the world's largest armed forces with some 1.4 million personnel.

- With inputs from agencies