Agniveers will be skilled citizens, says Northern Army Commander

Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, on Wednesday said that the Agnipath scheme is a transformational reform for the army that would provide the country with skilled, motivated and patriotic youth.

The army commander said that on completion of the four-year period, Agniveers will go to society as a disciplined, dynamic, motivated and skilled workforce for employment in other sectors including corporate and industry, central para military forces and public sector units to pursue their career in jobs of their choice.

“It is a win-win situation for all and Agniveers would act as a bridge between the army and society…they would play a role in nation building and even fight street crime, especially against women as responsible citizens of the country,” said Dwivedi while addressing a presser in Srinagar.


The Lt Gen said this scheme would attract young people in J&K, put them on the right track and ensure that they don’t go astray. “Our effort in four years is that we show them the right path…Our Moulvis would train them and make them understand the Quran so that they take the right path,” said Dwivedi. He also informed that the youngsters would be trained in local RR units to ensure that they get enrolled whenever there is a vacancy.




The scheme aims to harness the ‘Skill India’ initiative by enrolling ITI diploma holders and with other necessary skills for certain technical trades.

“Agniveers will carry a unique resume as they will be issued Agniveer skill certificates, get credits for facilitating higher education and financial package to start a new enterprise,” he said. Besides this, 25% of the Agniveers, after completion of four years, would be offered an opportunity for enrolment into the permanent cadre of the armed forces and future recruitment into the armed forces would be done through the Agnipath scheme.

The commander said this initiative would reduce the average age of the Indian Army from 32 to 26 years that will increase technological threshold and optimise the duration of recruit training to ensure better availability of soldiers in the field army for deployment in active duties.

He said this initiative would prepare the army for big data analysis and artificial intelligence warfare as youngsters would be equipped enough to prepare for these ‘wars of future.’

“Violence has shifted to the virtual world and Agniveers would be skilled to handle modern equipment and weapons,” he said adding, “50% of our population is below 25 years and this youth bulge has to be guided in the right direction.” The commander said youth should not volunteer for the Agnipath scheme just for the sake of a job, but look at it through the prism of ‘passion and determination.’