Indian Army's agneepath scheme

• The recently announced, but yet to commence, Tour of Duty (ToD) scheme for Indian Army soldiers, under the codename of ‘Agnipath’, has created much debate in the country, particularly among the veterans.
• The centre is in the final stage of finalising the Agnipath recruitment scheme, under which the youth can enlist in the army for three years.

Background

• The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the recruitment of soldiers in the Indian armed forces, leaving over 1.25 lakh vacancies in the three services.

Tour of Duty (ToD) scheme

• Background: The scheme was being pushed by the late Chief Of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.
• About: It involves recruiting soldiers, which will be called Agniveers, for a fixed period of three years.
• It will be a voluntary engagement.
• It is also known as the Agnipath entry scheme.
• It is for youths who “do not want to make defence services their permanent vocation, but still want to experience the thrill and adventure of military professionalism”.
• Benefits to Soldiers: The soldiers would be given a payout along with priority in recruitment to certain government jobs, including the central armed police forces.
  • An effort is also on to nudge corporate India into hiring such ex-ToD recruits for specific lines of work in the private sector on a priority basis.
• Benefits to Government: Tour of Duty’, will help not only resolve the issue of shortages of personnel but also reduce the burden of pay rises and pensions.
  • As per the original ToD proposal, the “prospective life-term saving” in the cost of engagement of a single jawan who leaves after 17 years of service with pension and other benefits, as compared to a ToD jawan will be Rs 11.5 crore.
  • The cumulative money saved in pay and gratuity payouts can consequently be used for the much-needed military modernization.

Objective

• It will provide an opportunity to those youth who have a desire to serve to the nation but are unable to do so due to the current norms of service.
• It will allow youth to enlist in the Indian Army for three years as of now. It may get extended to the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy later.

What will happen to Agniveers after the end of their 3-year term?

• The defence forces will have the option of retaining some of the young soldiers and they will be allowed to re-enlist and continue in service.
• The soldiers relieved of service after their 3-year term will be assisted in getting placed in civilian jobs.
• As per reports, several corporates have shown interest in employing the 'Agniveers'.

Significance

• Reduction in defence pensions: It is a move towards reducing the burgeoning pension bill as well as revenue expenditure in terms of salaries and other costs.
  • The cost of a jawan, with his training and other expenses, would come down to Rs 80-85 lakh, which would help in releasing funds for military modernisation.
• Plugging shortages: The defence establishment is hoping that the Tour of Duty scheme will help in resolving the issue of lack of manpower in the Indian Army.
  • This is significant in the current climate where the nation is facing a serious threat from China as well as Pakistan at the borders.
• Attractive and prime recruit: A young man who would retire as a ToD jawan would be a very attractive and prime recruit for the government sector and corporates.
• Technology Up gradation: Students from prestigious institutes like IITs who are highly technical will be attracted to the Army for a short period to help them expand the technology in the Army.
• Opportunity for India’s youth: to experience military life without having to join the armed forces on a long-term basis.

Drawbacks

• The regular terms of service in the Indian Defence Forces require the candidates to undergo fitness tests and several other exams before being allowed to enlist in the training academies.
• The recruits undergo training for at least a year before being posted in the field.
• The Agnipath scheme will however have no entrance test for the youth.
• The recruits enlisted under the scheme may have to undergo longer training to get them ready for field posting, effectively for at least two years for a three-year term.
• Another major issue is the performance review of the Agniveers, how will their work be judged against the regular cadre.

Exam track

Prelims Takeaway

• Tour of Duty (ToD) scheme
• Chief of staff Committee

Mains Track

Q. The Tour of Duty (ToD) scheme is a novel step in fulfilling the dreams of many patriots to join the Indian Army. However, it is inflicted with many bottlenecks that need to be resolved as soon as possible. Comment and suggest some measures for addressing the same.