New Delhi: According to reports, the four-year service term for the first batch of Agniveers was scheduled to end on November 21. The central government has now officially approved a two-year extension to their service. Under the existing rules, 25% of Agniveers were to be absorbed into the regular cadre upon completing their four-year term, while the remaining 75% were to be retired and sent home. Under the new proposal, a specific portion of those 75% who would otherwise have been discharged will now be given the opportunity to serve for an additional two years.
When was the Agnipath scheme launched?
Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani has shared key details regarding the scheme. He stated that the Agnipath scheme was launched on June 14, 2022. At that time, it was announced that the performance of the ‘Agniveers’ would be continuously evaluated and that the scheme would be reviewed periodically. The first batch of Agniveers is now nearing the completion of its four-year tenure.
He mentioned that, based on performance evaluations conducted over these four years, the feedback regarding their work has been very positive. As you are aware, 25% of the Agniveers are to be inducted into the regular army based on merit. For the remaining 75%, the original provision was for them to return to society as disciplined and motivated young individuals. Now, this 75% will be granted an additional two-year tenure.
What did Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw say?
During the cabinet briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that several significant decisions were taken in today’s cabinet meeting. First, I would like to highlight a major decision related to our ‘Clean Energy Mission.’ India has set new benchmarks through its performance in this sector and has earned global recognition. Today, the Cabinet approved a 92 GWh grid-scale energy storage scheme. Of this, 30 GWh will be allocated for battery storage, and 60 GWh for pumped-hydro storage. Every effort will be made to ensure that this scheme is implemented across the entire country.
