Amid protests, EAM S Jaishankar extends support for Agnipath scheme

New Delhi, Jun 17: Hailing the Centre's decision increasing the age of recruitment for Agniveers, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar shared his views about the scheme through twitter. He said the decision shows the govt's understanding of how sensitive the issue of defence aspirants is.

 

 

 

 

Speaking about Indian govt's new Agnipath Scheme for the armed forces, and hailing the govt's initiative, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said, "Modi Government’s Agnipath Scheme is an opportunity for India’s youth to join the defence forces and serve the nation." He further added, "PM Narendra Modi’s decision of increasing the age limit for Agniveers shows sensitivity towards those whose dreams were impacted due to the COVID 19 pandemic."

 

 

 

 

 

In a recent update about the scheme, although the Central govt has not yet confirmed any date, the India Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande announced that the training of Agniveers will begin in December and that their active service will begin in mid - 2023. He informed that COVID 19 halted the army recruitment for over two years. In 2019 - 2020, the army recruited jawan and there has been no entry since then. At the same time, both the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force had recruited for the last two years.

 

 

In an earlier update it was informed that announced that it has been decided that there will be an increase in the upper age limit for recruitment under the "Agnipath" scheme to 23 years from 21 years for the year 2022, amid protests against the new scheme of recruitment of soldiers into the armed services.