Indian Army Presents Proposal To Raise Annual Intake Of Agniveers To 50%

New Delhi, 10th July 2023: The Indian Army has put forward a proposal to address the personnel shortage by increasing the annual intake percentage of Agniveers. Currently, the intake stands at 25 per cent per batch, but sources have revealed that a proposal has been submitted to the central government to raise it to 50 per cent.

In addition to this, suggestions have been made to relax the age criteria and increase the number of joinings. This proposal is deemed necessary due to the current situation. While a significant number of personnel retire each year, the rate of recruits has been irregular, particularly due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This proposal aims to fulfil the required numbers in the Indian Army.

Previously, retirements and subsequent joinings per year helped bridge the personnel gap. However, retirements remain at approximately 60,000 personnel annually, while the number of joinings has been affected.

In 2022, the Agnipath scheme was introduced, and the army inducted 40,000 Agniveers in two separate batches. After four years of service, the top 25 per cent of candidates will be granted permanent status. However, this alone will not be sufficient to address the shortage.

Discussions regarding the proposal are ongoing, and it is important to formulate and implement rules and regulations for Agniveers undergoing training. Currently, the army faces several challenges during the training period. One such challenge is the decreasing number of candidates, as some choose to leave midway to secure jobs elsewhere. Although there are no existing regulations, suggestions have been made to have candidates reimburse the expenses incurred during training. This measure aims to ensure that only those who are genuinely committed to joining the army undergo training.

Furthermore, instances of excessive medical leaves have resulted in candidates being dismissed from training. While the Agnipath scheme will prove beneficial in the long run, there are initial challenges that need to be addressed, and these concerns have been brought to the attention of high-ranking officials.

Sources indicate that the Indian Army is facing a shortage of approximately 1.5 lakh personnel. If the proposed measures are accepted, they can help alleviate this pressing issue.