The government Tuesday unveiled its new Agnipath scheme for recruiting soldiers across the three services. The new defence recruitment reform, which has been cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security, will come into effect immediately, and the soldiers recruited under the scheme will be called Agniveers.

The Scheme's goal is to encourage young people to serve in the military for four years.

Agniveers will be the name given to the youth who are chosen for the programme.

They will receive a monthly package that includes risk and hardship allowances.

After a four-year engagement, they will receive a one-time Seva Nidhi package.

It will not be subject to income tax.

The Agnipath Scheme will have a favourable impact on the Armed Forces' Human Resources Management.

They would be paid a monthly salary of Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 plus any applicable allowances.

There will be no entitlement to benefits such as gratuities or pensions.

During their service in the Indian Armed Forces, they would be covered by a Rs 48 lakh life insurance policy.

Around 25% of Agniveers will be recruited as regular cadres in the Armed Forces.

The age limit for eligibility would be between 17.5 and 21 years, and they will be chosen through all-India competitions.

Source: The Indian Express