Government relaxes upper age limit for Agnipath recruitment to 23 years

The defence ministry on Thursday extended the upper age limit for Agnipath scheme to 23 years from 21 years for the year 2022 amid widespread protests against the new model for enrolment of soldiers into the three services. However, the entry age remains fixed at 17 and a half years.

The decision was taken as no recruitment had taken place in the last two years.

"Cognizant of the fact that it has not been possible to undertake the recruitment during the last two years, the government has decided that a one-time waiver shall be granted for the proposed recruitment cycle for 2022," a defence ministry spokesperson said.

The move comes amid ongoing protest in different parts of the country due to the new recruitment scheme. The government had recently issued a clarification asserting that not only the new model will bring in new capabilities to the armed forces but will also open up avenues for youth in the private sector as well as help them in becoming entrepreneurs with the aid of the financial package.

Protests have been going on in some districts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh against the 'Agnipath' recruitment scheme of the Central government.

The government had recently announced the radical and far-reaching 'Agnipath' scheme, deploying defence minister Rajnath Singh and the three service chiefs to deflect criticism that it will undermine the armed forces' professionalism, ethos, and fighting spirit, as well as potentially lead to the militarization of civil society.

The process of recruiting 46,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen this year will begin on a "all-India, all-class" basis under the Agnipath scheme, which was authorised by the PM-led cabinet committee on security.

(With inputs from PTI)