Agnipath Scheme

✦Key Features

• 4-year service as Agniveer in Army, Navy, or Air Force
• 75% Agniveers retire after 4 years; 25% offered permanent commission based on merit
• Seva Nidhi: ₹11.71 lakh corpus on exit (Agniveer''s ₹5.02 lakh + Government''s ₹5.02 lakh + interest)
• Pay: ₹30,000/month (Year 1) to ₹40,000/month (Year 4); 30% contribution to Seva Nidhi
• Special priority in CAPF, state police, and PSU recruitment for ex-Agniveers
• Age limit: 17.5-21 years (Army); 17.5-23 years (extended in 2022 for first batch)
• First batch: 40,000 Agniveers inducted in 2022; scheme continues annually

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Age between 17.5 years and 21 years (extended to 23 for the first batch in 2022).
• Educational qualification of 10th or 12th pass, depending on the role.
• Must be an Indian citizen.
• Meet prescribed medical and physical standards.

★Benefits

• Opportunity to serve the nation and gain military training.
• A 'Seva Nidhi' financial package of approximately Rs 11.71 lakh upon exit.
• Preference in recruitment for various central and state government jobs post-service.
• Skill development and certification, enhancing employability.
• Life insurance cover and disability compensation.

▶Application Process

• Online application through the official websites of the respective armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force).
• Shortlisting based on eligibility criteria.
• Physical fitness test and medical examination.
• Common Entrance Examination (CEE).
• Merit-based selection and enrollment.

₹ Budget Allocation

17600

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% Central Government (Ministry of Defence)

Historical Context

The 'Tour of Duty' concept was initially proposed to allow short-term military service for civilians. Agnipath is a formalization of this to modernize the force structure post the 1999 Kargil Review Committee recommendations on the age profile.