‘Agniveers will have many career options’

Ranchi: Agniveers selected under the Centre’s Agnipath scheme will have access to several amenities with 25% of them to be absorbed in the armed forces after completion of the scheme in four years, Army veterans said here on Monday.
Brigadier (retd) B G Pathak said, “The remaining 35% of the recruits will have the advantage of job reservation while applying for defence public sector units and CAPFs.”
He added, “Those recruited under the central scheme will have a relaxation of four years during recruitment of PSU jobs.”
Other retired officers, Brigadier (retd) Niranjan Kumar and Colonel (retd) Rakesh Kumar briefed about the scheme and the various career options the recruits will have to allay the fears of those protesting against the scheme.
The veterans also emphasised that several additional announcements were made by the Centre and some states to address the concerns of youths.
They said the minimum qualification age for the scheme will be increased from 21 to 23 for the first year to provide a fair opportunity to those who have missed the past two years owing to the pandemic. Additionally, those recruited will be honoured for life as Agniveers. After four years, they would also receive easy loans to set up business. The Agniveers will receive a 10% reservation in CAPF and Assam Rifles jobs as well as a 10% reservation during recruitments for the Indian Coast Guard, defence civilian posts and 16 defence PSUs.
The Centre will offer the Agniveers a three-year bachelor’s degree certificate.
Elaborating the degree programme, Brig. Pathak said, “Agniveers, who join after completing their Class X, will receive a certificate of completing Class XII. The Centre is working on making arrangements with the universities which will award Agniveers their Class XII degree completion certificate. Those who join after Class XII will receive a bachelor’s degree if they opt for it. They have the option of applying for a one-year certificate course, a two-year diploma certificate or a three-year bachelor’s degree certificate. The degree certificate will be from IGNOU.”