New Delhi, 10th July 2023: In an effort to address the personnel shortage, the Indian Army has presented a proposal to the central government to raise the annual intake percentage of Agniveers from the current 25% per batch to 50%. This proposal comes as retirements remain steady at approximately 60,000 personnel per year, while the number of recruits has been impacted, particularly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The proposal also includes suggestions to relax the age criteria and increase the number of joinings to meet the required numbers in the Indian Army. Currently, the Agnipath scheme, introduced in 2022, has inducted 40,000 Agniveers in two separate batches. After four years of service, the top 25% of candidates will be granted permanent status. However, this alone will not be sufficient to bridge the personnel gap.
Ongoing discussions regarding the proposal also highlight the need to establish rules and regulations for Agniveers undergoing training. The army faces challenges during the training period, including a decreasing number of candidates who choose to leave midway to secure jobs elsewhere. Suggestions have been made to have candidates reimburse the expenses incurred during training to ensure a higher level of commitment from those undergoing training.
Additionally, excessive medical leaves have resulted in candidates being dismissed from training. While the Agnipath scheme holds promise for the long-term, it is crucial to address these initial challenges and bring them to the attention of high-ranking officials.
According to sources, the Indian Army currently faces a shortage of approximately 1.5 lakh personnel. If the proposed measures are accepted, they can play a significant role in alleviating this pressing issue and ensuring the strength of the Indian Army is maintained.
