Saving money to skilling soldiers: Agnipath's bold battle plan for military

A key element of Agnipath service model is that only 25 per cent of each batch, which has been chosen to remain in service, goes on to eventually draw a pension

Frustrated job-seekers are rioting in the streets over the government’s announcement of the Agnipath Yojana. This “transformative” measure, imposed by the government without warning, is intended to change the recruitment pattern of soldiers from the current long-service, 15-year contract that culminates in a lifelong pension; to a mainly short-service contract that will see soldiers serving for four years, after which most go home without a pension.

A key moment in these young soldiers’ careers will come when they complete four years of service. At that juncture, they can apply to continue in service and, based on their abilities, up to