Agnipath scheme: Union cabinet unveils new armed forces recruitment plan

The Union Cabinet today approved a new short-term recruitment policy for Indian youth to serve in the armed forces. Termed Agnipath, the scheme will enable youngsters aged 17.5 to 21 to be inducted into any of the three services as “agniveers” for a period of four years.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the Agnipath recruitment scheme as a “transformative initiative” that will bring about a huge change and open up opportunities for the nation’s youth.

Singh said the Agnipath scheme will strengthen India's security while also providing a youthful profile to the Armed Forces.

The soldiers recruited under Agnipath will be released from service after four years, though the new system will have a provision for retaining around 25 per cent of them after another round of screening.