Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Lt Gen Anil Puri said on Tuesday that no change has been made in the recruitment process under the Agnipath scheme. The regimental procedure will remain unchanged.

Addressing a press conference held by the Ministry of Defense here, Lt Gen Puri said, “We will take an undertaking and the candidates will have to give a certificate that they were not involved in any arson or sabotage.

He said the Agneepath scheme balances three things, first the youth profile of the armed forces, technical knowledge, and people who are friendly to join the army, and third, preparing the person for the future.

He said it is a matter of security of our country. Somebody spreads a rumour that old army personnel will be sent under the Agniveer scheme, this is fake information. No other country in the world has the same demographic dividend as India. 50% of our youth are below 25 years of age. The army should take maximum advantage of this.

Enrollment in Air Force through Agniveer Vayu

Air Marshal SK Jha said that starting from 2% in the first year, Agniveers are being inducted gradually. In the fifth year, this number will increase to around 6,000 and in the 10th year, it will be around 9,000-10,000. Every enrollment in the Indian Air Force will now be through Agniveer Vayu only. There can be no compromise on the combat capability and preparedness of the Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force and the Government of India will do everything to make us war-worthy and war-ready. There is no change in the procedure of admission, entry-level qualification, syllabus of the examination, or medical standards. All the nominations in the Air Force will be done through Agniveer Vayu only.

Online registration for Navy starts from 1st July

On behalf of the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said that our recruitment calendar was fixed for June 25, but it will start from tomorrow- June 22. Online registration will start on 1st July. As per DG Shipping Order for Agniveers, after 4 years of training, they can directly join Merchant Navy.

“Let us tell you that earlier on June 19, the Army had held a joint press conference regarding the Agnipath scheme, in which Lieutenant General Anil Puri had made it clear that the Agnipath scheme of recruitment of soldiers in the army would not be withdrawn. He had said that this is a progressive step and it is very important to do so to protect the country. So there is no question of withdrawing the Agneepath scheme,” Vice Admiral Tripathi contended.