Army chief to make recruitment schedule announcement on Agnipath soon

Amid nationwide protests against the Agnipath scheme, the Army Chief General said that the recruitment process for the plan will be announced soon.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande said the Agnipath system will provide an opportunity to youth who were planning to join the defence forces.

The government has decided to issue a one-time waiver, raising the recruiting entry age to 23 years, for the 2022 recruitment cycle.


Speaking on government's decision to raise the age limit, General Pande said the decision will provide opportunities to youth who have lost out on recruiting rallies in the last two years because of the COVID pandemic.




Courses on drone technology and management, armoured vehicles management, submarine and shipping industry are some of the skill sets that are being discussed to be included in the plan. . "The idea is to open up pathways for them at various levels -- academic, self-employment and entrepreneurship. Skilling, education and training courses are being planned in discussions with the armed forces," an ET report quoting a senior official said.

It is envisaged that the skills Agniveers may have acquired in service will be given academic credits that can help acquire further national certifications that will help in landing them jobs, attuned to industry needs.