1 Lakh Agniveers Enrolled In Indian Army, Recruitment Underway For Another 50,000

New Delhi: Army has enrolled more than nearly 1 lakh Agniveers to their ranks and around 70,000 have been deployed to its units, an official said on Sunday. 

Indian Army's Adjutant General Lt Gen CB Ponnappa also mentioned that in the year 2024-25, around 50,000 vacancies have been released for which the recruitment process is underway.

"Since June 2022, the scheme was launched and then we had the first batch that was recruited and enrolled, in December 2022-January 2023. Approximately, 1 lakh Agniveers have been enrolled in the Army. This also includes around 200 women, approximately 70,000 have already been dispatched to the units and are performing extremely well in the battalions. This includes around 100 women police also,"  Lt Gen CB Ponnappa was quoted as saying to news agency ANI.  

The official further stated that Agniveers are undertaking all the actions operational and other professional duties just like any other sepoys or sepoys recruits on the ground. 

What is Agnipath Yojana and Who are Agniveers ?

The Government had launched Agnipath scheme on June 15, 2022 to recruit both male and female aspirants into ‘below the officer’s rank’ cadre of the three services for a period of four years as Agniveers. Candidates between the age group of 17.5 to 21 years are eligible to apply for the scheme

CISF and BSF Set Aside 10% Constable Jobs for Former Agniveers

Earlier, in a significant move aimed at empowering Ex-Agniveers, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Border Security Force (BSF) announced special recruitment benefits for them.CISF Director General, Neena Singh stated that the CISF has made all arrangements to recruit Ex-Agniveers.

"CISF has made all arrangements to recruit Ex-Agniveers. Ten percent of constable posts have been reserved for them and they will also be given relaxation in the Physical Efficiency Test," CISF Director General, Neena Singh said.

“There is also relaxation in age, there is a five-year relaxation in age for the first batch and three years of age relaxation afterward. Recruitment of Ex-Agniveers will benefit CISF as it will get the capable, dedicated and disciplined workforce, which will further enhance the efficiency of its operations, while Ex-Agniveers will also get an opportunity to serve in CISF," she added. 

(With Inputs from ANI)