New Delhi: The Indian government is considering significant modifications to the Agnipath recruitment scheme, aimed at increasing the retention percentage of Agniveers in the armed forces. Defence sources informed India Today that these potential changes include adjustments to both the retention rates and the compensation and entitlements for Agniveers. The proposed revisions are in response to criticism and protests that the scheme has faced since its introduction.Opinion of expertsAt present, only 25% of Agniveers are retained after their initial four-year term, a figure deemed insufficient by military experts. Retaining only one-fourth of Agniveers is too low to maintain the desired combat strength on the ground, said a top Defence source. The Army has recommended increasing the retention rate to around 50% to better address its needs and sustain operational effectiveness.Ongoing delibirationsSenior Defence Ministry officials have confirmed that discussions are underway to implement these changes. The Army has already submitted recommendations to the government based on internal feedback and surveys conducted within various units. The goal is to enhance the Agnipath schemes effectiveness and address the concerns raised by Army aspirants and opposition parties.Background of the schemeThe Agnipath Recruitment Scheme was launched by the Indian government in June 2022. This scheme was introduced as part of the broader objective to modernize and streamline the Indian Armed Forces. It aims to create a more agile and technologically advanced military force by recruiting young individuals on a short-term contract basis. The primary goals of Agnipath are to reduce the age profile of the armed forces, lower the long-term pension liabilities, and enhance operational efficiency.Political reactionsThe Agnipath scheme, introduced in 2022, was designed to streamline the armed forces and reduce the defence pension bill by recruiting personnel on a short-term contract basis. However, the scheme has faced nationwide protests and opposition demands for a rollback. Additionally, internal BJP reports suggest that the party experienced setbacks in recent Lok Sabha elections in regions with high defence personnel concentrations.
