Context:
The Passing Out Parade of the third batch of Agniveers was held recently.
Agnipath Scheme:
- Launched in – 2022
- Ministry – Ministry of Defence
- Aim – To bring paradigm changes in the Human Resource Management of the Indian Army.
- Coverage –
- Applicable to Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force
- However, it is applicable only for personnel below officer ranks
Agniveers:
- Agniveers – 17.5-year-old to 21-year-old youth selected to serve in Indian Armed Forces for 4 years.
- Training period – 6 months
- Remuneration – 30,000-Rs 40,000 per month, and they are entitled to risk and hardship allowances.
- Selection for regular cadre – Up to 25% of Agniveers in each batch will be selected to serve for another 15 years.
- ‘Seva Nidhi’ package – To be paid to Agniveers on completion of the engagement period of 4 years
- Under the package, Agniveers contribute 30% of their monthly emoluments, and the government contributes the same amount.
- On completion of 4 years, they will receive around Rs 11.71 lakh (with interest) from the package, and this will be exempt from income tax.
- Pension – Do not receive any pension benefit
- Women Agniveers – Scheme had also opened doors for recruitment of women as Agniveers to the IAF and Navy.
Source: Economic Times
Previous Year Question
Consider the following in respect of the (IONS):
1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2008
