Agnipath scheme: 'Recruitment through regimentation to continue, Agniveers eligible for gallantry awards'

NEW DELHI: Recruitment under Agnipath scheme will be carried out under objective and transparent selection process. Agniveers will also be eligible for gallantry awards.
During a tri-services media briefing, officials from the Army, Air Force and Navy clarified many such details vis-à-vis the Agnipath route for recruitment to the armed forces.
The session was addressed by Lt Gen Anil Puri, additional secretary, Department of Military Affairs; Air Marshal SK Jha, Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel (AOP), and Vice-Admiral Dinesh Tripathi.
They asserted that the recruitment process will remain unchanged and the traditional regimentation system in the military will continue.
Lt Gen Puri said that the forces have been successful in bringing down their age profiles, a process long overdue, and Agnipath scheme is a right step in that direction.
"No other country in the world has the demographic dividend as that of India. 50% of our youth is under the age group of 25 years. Army should make the most of it. We have to be reflective of this demographic dividend," he said.
"Someone spread the rumour that old-timers of the Army will be sent to the Agniveer scheme. This is proven to be a fake information," he added.
Detailing how induction of young blood through Agnipath will be of advantage, Lt Gen Puri said "Aginpath scheme balances three things, first youthful profile of the armed forces, technical savvy and adaptable people joining the Army, third makes the individual future-ready."
Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha dispelled notions that Agnipath scheme might be a compromise on the quality of intake into the forces.
"There is absolutely no change in the process of induction, entry-level qualification, examination syllabus, or medical standards. All enrollments in Air Force will take place only through Agniveer Vayu," he said.
"The combat capabilities and readiness of the Indian Air Force are non-negotiable. The Indian Air Force and GoI will do everything that is required to keep us combat-worthy and combat-ready," he added.
The Agnipath scheme will help attract the best talents help compress training timeline without compromising on quality, Vice-Admiral Tripathi said.
Lt Gen Puri reminded that there is no place for arson and violence in the armed forces and all applicants for 'Agnipath' will have to give an undertaking that they were not part of any violence.