Indian Army's Adjutant General Lt Gen C B Ponnappa on Sunday said that that one lakh Agniveers have already been enrolled in the force till now and around 70,000 of them have been posted to the units. General Ponappa also mentioned that in the year 2024-25, around 50,000 vacancies have been released and the recruitment process is ongoing.

"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," he said.

"Around 50,000 vacancies have been released in this year, 2024-25. The recruitment process is ongoing. They are undertaking all the actions - operational and other professional duties just like any other sepoys or sepoys recruits on the ground. They are completely integrated and assimilated into the units. They wear the same uniform and perform the same duty," General Channira Bansi Ponnappa added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/free-loans-10-job-quota-haryana-announces-bonanza-for-agniveers-741729">Also read:&nbsp;‘Interest-free loans, 10% quota in jobs,’ Haryana announces bonanza for Agniveers</a>

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.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Agnipath: India's new armed forces recruitment scheme

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"CISF has made all arrangements to recruit ex-Agniveers. Ten per cent 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," Neena Singh said.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Indian Army's Adjutant General Lt Gen C B Ponnappa on Sunday said that that one lakh Agniveers have already been enrolled in the force till now and around 70,000 of them have been posted to the units.

Indian Army's Adjutant General Lt Gen C B Ponnappa on Sunday said that that one lakh Agniveers have already been enrolled in the force till now and around 70,000 of them have been posted to the units. General Ponappa also mentioned that in the year 2024-25, around 50,000 vacancies have been released and the recruitment process is ongoing. "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," he said. "Around 50,000 vacancies have been released in this year, 2024-25. The recruitment process is ongoing. They are undertaking all the actions - operational and other professional duties just like any other sepoys or sepoys recruits on the ground. They are completely integrated and assimilated into the units. They wear the same uniform and perform the same duty," General Channira Bansi Ponnappa added. Also read: ‘Interest-free loans, 10% quota in jobs,’ Haryana announces bonanza for 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. Watch: Gravitas: Agnipath: India's new armed forces recruitment scheme × "CISF has made all arrangements to recruit ex-Agniveers. Ten per cent 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," Neena Singh said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India: 100,000 Agniveers already enrolled in army, reveals AG Lt Gen CB Ponappa

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday (Feb 26) wrote to Indian President Droupadi Murmu on the central government's Agnipath scheme — an initiative for the youth to join the armed forces on short-term basis.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday (Feb 26) wrote to Indian President Droupadi Murmu on the central government's Agnipath scheme — an initiative for the youth to join the armed forces on short-term basis. Kharge said he was writing the letter to President Murmu to highlight the gross injustice to almost 200,000 young men and women whose futures have become uncertain due to the ending of the regular recruitment process and imposing the scheme. There had been widespread protests in June 2022 after the launch of the Agnipath scheme but since then many youths have already joined the armed forces as Agniveers. The Congress president's letter to President Murmu comes at a time when general elections in India are just a couple of months away. “Recently I met them and they told me that between 2019 and 2022, almost two lakh young men and women were informed that they had been accepted into the three armed services: the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force," Kharge said. Also read | Agniveer dies in Siachen while on duty, Indian Army pays tribute "These young men and women had struggled against all odds to pass gruelling mental and physical tests and a written exam. Until 31 May 2022, they believed that they had fulfilled their dreams and were awaiting only their joining letters. On that day, their dreams were shattered by the Government of India's decision to end this recruitment process and replace it with the Agnipath Scheme," he added. 'Scheme is discriminatory' Kharge told Murmu that the scheme is discriminatory "among our jawans by creating parallel cadres of soldiers who are expected to work on similar tasks but with very different emoluments, benefits and prospects." The Congress chief added that the majority of Agniveers (the beneficiaries of the scheme) would be released into an uncertain job market after four years of service. "Our youth cannot be allowed to suffer in this manner. I appeal to you to ensure that NYAY and justice is done,” he added. My letter to the Hon’ble President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) highlighting the gross injustice to almost two lakh young men and women whose future has become uncertain due to ending of regular recruitment process and imposing Agnipath Scheme for the Armed Forces by the Union… pic.twitter.com/nZceaXpKs0 — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 26, 2024 × The Agnipath scheme was rolled out by the central government in June 2022 for short-term induction of the youth into the armed forces. The scheme provides for recruiting youth between the ages of 17.2 and 21 for a service of four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of the Agniveers for 15 more years. Some of the broad objectives of the scheme are: to enhance the youthful profile of the armed forces so that they are at their fighting best at all times with increased risk-taking ability; to provide abilities and qualities such as discipline, dynamism, motivation and work-skills so that the youth remain an asset; and to imbibe the armed forces' ethos, courage, camaraderie, commitment and teamwork in the youth. According to Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande, the scheme was finalised after extensive consultations. Congress hits out at Centre over scheme Apart from Mallikarjun Kharge, other Congress leaders also criticised the central government over the scheme. "Approximately 150,000 people who qualified all the phases of the Army recruitment process, their joining was denied after Covid. Today, they are unemployed... Then, you came up with the Agnipath scheme, even the defence experts are against this scheme... You played with the nation's security and with the youth's future," Congress leader Pawan Khera told the news agency ANI. Congress leader Sachin Pilot, meanwhile, said that the scheme was implemented in a hurry. #WATCH | Delhi: On the Agnipath scheme, Congress leader Sachin Pilot says, "Completely stopping the previous process of recruitment in the Army and conducting all the recruitments only through Agnipath, keeping only 25% of the total recruitments after 4 years and retiring the… pic.twitter.com/imCo4YJwYC — ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2024 × "Completely stopping the previous process of recruitment in the Army and conducting all the recruitments only through Agnipath, keeping only 25% of the total recruitments after 4 years and retiring the whole 75% is not at all a positive step for the Army," Pilot told ANI. (With inputs from agencies)

Youth cannot suffer: Congress chief writes to Indian president on 'Agnipath' scheme

In the first-ever comments since Nepal announced its decision to not send its soldiers to Indian Army,&nbsp;Nepal's Ambassador to India Shankar Prasad Sharma, in a&nbsp;conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Siddhant Sibal confirmed the decision.&nbsp;The Nepalese envoy stated&nbsp;his country would like more "understanding from the highest level".&nbsp;He further added that the government "would like to know more about Agnipath and Agniveer".&nbsp;

India earlier this year had announced the Agnipath scheme to recruit new soldiers in&nbsp;the Army. Under the scheme, the tenure of a soldier will be four years and only one-fourth will be retained after this period. Additionally, the Nepalese envoy also spoke on border issues and the cultural connect between the two countries.

WION: What was the aim of Teej celebrations?

Shankar Prasad Sharma​​​​​​: We would definitely like to strengthen the people-to-people relationship between the two countries. That is more sustainable which will help in strengthening other areas of partnership between the two countries. If we have a strong people-to-people bond, then nobody can separate them and then that will have a sustainable strong partnership between the two countries.

WION: Both India&nbsp;and Nepal have civilisation ties, roti beti ka rishta (family ties)..

SP Sharma: That is also going on, if we see today's crowd, many of these people, let's say the royal family of Nepal, they get married here in India. Some of these people get married in Nepal. At that level, the southern part of Nepal...it's much more, in terms of marriage and networking family relationships. That has continued. When you are in the same religion and the same culture, it's easier to have such relationships.

WION: How is the recruitment of Gorkhas under the Agnipath scheme going?

SP Sharma: No, they [Nepalese government] would like to know more about the Agnipath scheme. When we had a tripartite agreement long ago between India, Nepal and UK, we didn't have the provisions. Nepal would like to know more about it. They would like to have more clarity on this one because we have so many political parties in Nepal and they would like to consult with each other and know more.

WION: So, no recruitment happening under Agnipath&nbsp;scheme up until now?

SP Sharma: Yes, they had one schedule but that has been postponed.

WION: Did the Indian government take you in confidence?

SP Sharma: Yes and no. But Nepal would like to have more understanding from the highest level.

WION: How hopeful you are that the issue will be resolved?

SP Sharma: I am sure it will be. There are two issues, one is the understanding and implications to Nepal. Secondly, it is linked to political parties in Nepal and they have to have a consensus. I am sure something will come out.

WION: Indian Army chief is visiting Nepal, will it be discussed?

SP&nbsp;Sharma: I am sure they will.

WION: Any update on Border talks?

SP Sharma: No I think when both PMs visited each other's countries, there was a press release or press conference by the foreign secretary but many of these issues must be solved amicably and we hope they will start a dialogue soon and we will have some kind of solution.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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In the first-ever comments since Nepal announced its decision to not send its soldiers to Indian Army, Nepal's Ambassador to India Shankar Prasad Sharma, in a conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Siddhant Sibal confirmed the decision.

In the first-ever comments since Nepal announced its decision to not send its soldiers to Indian Army, Nepal's Ambassador to India Shankar Prasad Sharma, in a conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Siddhant Sibal confirmed the decision. The Nepalese envoy stated his country would like more "understanding from the highest level". He further added that the government "would like to know more about Agnipath and Agniveer". India earlier this year had announced the Agnipath scheme to recruit new soldiers in the Army. Under the scheme, the tenure of a soldier will be four years and only one-fourth will be retained after this period. Additionally, the Nepalese envoy also spoke on border issues and the cultural connect between the two countries. WION: What was the aim of Teej celebrations? Shankar Prasad Sharma: We would definitely like to strengthen the people-to-people relationship between the two countries. That is more sustainable which will help in strengthening other areas of partnership between the two countries. If we have a strong people-to-people bond, then nobody can separate them and then that will have a sustainable strong partnership between the two countries. WION: Both India and Nepal have civilisation ties, roti beti ka rishta (family ties).. SP Sharma: That is also going on, if we see today's crowd, many of these people, let's say the royal family of Nepal, they get married here in India. Some of these people get married in Nepal. At that level, the southern part of Nepal...it's much more, in terms of marriage and networking family relationships. That has continued. When you are in the same religion and the same culture, it's easier to have such relationships. WION: How is the recruitment of Gorkhas under the Agnipath scheme going? SP Sharma: No, they [Nepalese government] would like to know more about the Agnipath scheme. When we had a tripartite agreement long ago between India, Nepal and UK, we didn't have the provisions. Nepal would like to know more about it. They would like to have more clarity on this one because we have so many political parties in Nepal and they would like to consult with each other and know more. WION: So, no recruitment happening under Agnipath scheme up until now? SP Sharma: Yes, they had one schedule but that has been postponed. WION: Did the Indian government take you in confidence? SP Sharma: Yes and no. But Nepal would like to have more understanding from the highest level. WION: How hopeful you are that the issue will be resolved? SP Sharma: I am sure it will be. There are two issues, one is the understanding and implications to Nepal. Secondly, it is linked to political parties in Nepal and they have to have a consensus. I am sure something will come out. WION: Indian Army chief is visiting Nepal, will it be discussed? SP Sharma: I am sure they will. WION: Any update on Border talks? SP Sharma: No I think when both PMs visited each other's countries, there was a press release or press conference by the foreign secretary but many of these issues must be solved amicably and we hope they will start a dialogue soon and we will have some kind of solution. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

EXCLUSIVE: 'Would like understanding from highest level', Nepal envoy on Gorkha recruitment under Agnipath

Amid nationwide violent protests, the Indian Army issued a notification on Monday (June 20) regarding the government's Agneepath scheme. The notification is related to the first round of recruitment through the scheme. The registration for the same will start in July.

The newly-released notification basically outlines terms and conditions of service, eligibility, discharge and other crucial details of the scheme.&nbsp;

The Army notification read: "The registrations will be opened from July onwards by the respective Army Recruitment Offices (ARO) for Agniveer General Duty, Agniveer Technical, Agniveer Technical (aviation/ammunition examiner), Agniveer clerk/store keeper technical, Agniveer tradesman (10th pass) and Agniveer Tradesman (8th pass) as per the ARO rally schedule."&nbsp;

It added, "Agniveers enrolled under the scheme will not be eligible for any kind of Pension and Gratuity."&nbsp;

The notification further added that the service of the 'Agniveers' will commence from the date of enrolment. They would form a distinct rank in the Army, different from other existing ranks.&nbsp;

Those who are enrolled under this scheme will be required to undergo periodical medical checkups. Physical/written/field tests will also be there as per orders.&nbsp;

Protests erupted in various parts of the country after some aspirants for the armed forces are unhappy with the changes introduced under the new recruitment scheme.&nbsp;

Concerns were raised over the length of service, no pension provisions for those released early and the previously said 17.5 to 21-year age restriction.&nbsp;

The Army said based on organisational requirements and policies, 'Agniveers', on completion of their engagement period in each batch, will be offered an opportunity to apply for enrolment in the regular cadre.&nbsp;

"These applications will be considered in a centralised manner by the Army based on objective criteria, including performance during their engagement period and not more than 25 per cent of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in regular cadre post completion of their four-year engagement period," according to the document released by the Army.&nbsp;

"Agniveers so enrolled as regular cadre would be required to serve for a further engagement period of 15 years and will be governed by terms and conditions of service (of Junior Commissioned Officer/ Other Ranks) currently in vogue," it said.

The Army said the Agniveers will not have any right to be selected after completion of their four-year tenure.

According to the document. each 'Agniveer' will be required to formally accept all terms and conditions of the 'Agnipath' scheme as part of the enrolment process.&nbsp;

For personnel below the age of 18 years, the enrolment form will be required to be signed by the parents or guardians.&nbsp;

The 'Agniveers' will be eligible for 30 days leave in a year as against 90 days for those in regular service. Medical leave will be granted based on medical advice.&nbsp;

The Army said 30 per cent of the monthly salary of the Agniveers will be compulsorily deposited in a corpus and an equal amount will be contributed by the government.&nbsp;

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Amid nationwide violent protests, the Indian Army issued a notification on Monday (June 20) regarding the government's Agneepath scheme. The notification is related to the first round of recruitment through the scheme.

Amid nationwide violent protests, the Indian Army issued a notification on Monday (June 20) regarding the government's Agneepath scheme. The notification is related to the first round of recruitment through the scheme. The registration for the same will start in July. The newly-released notification basically outlines terms and conditions of service, eligibility, discharge and other crucial details of the scheme. The Army notification read: "The registrations will be opened from July onwards by the respective Army Recruitment Offices (ARO) for Agniveer General Duty, Agniveer Technical, Agniveer Technical (aviation/ammunition examiner), Agniveer clerk/store keeper technical, Agniveer tradesman (10th pass) and Agniveer Tradesman (8th pass) as per the ARO rally schedule." It added, "Agniveers enrolled under the scheme will not be eligible for any kind of Pension and Gratuity." The notification further added that the service of the 'Agniveers' will commence from the date of enrolment. They would form a distinct rank in the Army, different from other existing ranks. Those who are enrolled under this scheme will be required to undergo periodical medical checkups. Physical/written/field tests will also be there as per orders. Protests erupted in various parts of the country after some aspirants for the armed forces are unhappy with the changes introduced under the new recruitment scheme. Concerns were raised over the length of service, no pension provisions for those released early and the previously said 17.5 to 21-year age restriction. The Army said based on organisational requirements and policies, 'Agniveers', on completion of their engagement period in each batch, will be offered an opportunity to apply for enrolment in the regular cadre. "These applications will be considered in a centralised manner by the Army based on objective criteria, including performance during their engagement period and not more than 25 per cent of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in regular cadre post completion of their four-year engagement period," according to the document released by the Army. "Agniveers so enrolled as regular cadre would be required to serve for a further engagement period of 15 years and will be governed by terms and conditions of service (of Junior Commissioned Officer/ Other Ranks) currently in vogue," it said. The Army said the Agniveers will not have any right to be selected after completion of their four-year tenure. According to the document. each 'Agniveer' will be required to formally accept all terms and conditions of the 'Agnipath' scheme as part of the enrolment process. For personnel below the age of 18 years, the enrolment form will be required to be signed by the parents or guardians. The 'Agniveers' will be eligible for 30 days leave in a year as against 90 days for those in regular service. Medical leave will be granted based on medical advice. The Army said 30 per cent of the monthly salary of the Agniveers will be compulsorily deposited in a corpus and an equal amount will be contributed by the government. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Agneepath scheme: As stir continues, Indian Army issues notification for Agniveer recruitments