Rajnath Singh calls Agnipath scheme golden opportunity for youth to join defence system

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Central government’s decision to sanction the ‘Agnipath’ plan on Friday, saying it provides a wonderful chance for young people to join the defence system and serve the country.

On June 14, the Union Cabinet authorised a recruiting plan for Indian youngsters to serve in the Armed Forces, with those chosen becoming known as Agniveers. Agnipath permits patriotic and ambitious young people to serve in the Armed Forces for four years.

In a statement, Rajnath Singh said ” Central Government’s Agnipath initiative provides a wonderful chance for the country’s young to join the defence system and serve the country.”

“Many young people were unable to join the army because of a two-year delay in the recruitment procedure. This is a proven truth. As a result, with the Prime Minister’s consent, the administration has decided to raise the age restriction for the recruitment of Agniveers from 21 to 23 years, bearing in mind the future of the young and demonstrating sympathy to them “he remarked.

Defense Minister further added that “Government has granted this one-time exception. Many young people will be immediately eligible to become Agniveers as a result of this. In a few days, the hiring process will begin. I urge all young people to prepare for military service and to take full advantage of it.”

Notably, Singh has been in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday on a two-day visit.

However, the government recently introduced the Agnipath Scheme in an effort to reform the recruiting procedure for the Armed Forces. With the new military recruitment programme facing opposition, Centre has decided to modify the maximum age restriction for recruiting Agniveers.

Centre declared on June 16, 2022, that the Agniveer upper age restriction for recruitments via the Agnipath Scheme has been raised to 23 years from 21 years, as a one-time waiver.