Indian Army issues notification for recruitment under ‘Agnipath’ scheme; online registration from July

The Army said 'Agniveers' would form a distinct rank in the Indian Army, which would be different from any other existing ranks.

The Army on June 20 issued a notification for induction of soldiers under the ‘Agnipath’ military recruitment scheme. The Army said the online registration on the force's recruitment website is mandatory for all the job aspirants under the new model. It said the online registration will commence from July.

The Army said 'Agniveers' would form a distinct rank in the Indian Army, which would be different from any other existing ranks.

In a detailed note on the scheme, the Army last night said 'Agniveers' will be barred from disclosing classified information gained during the four-year service period to any unauthorised person or source under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

"With the introduction of this scheme, the enrolment of soldiers in the the regular cadre of the Indian Army, except technical cadres of medical branch, will be available only to those personnel who have completed their engagement period as Agniveer," it said.

The Army said the release of an Agniveer at own request prior to completion of terms of engagement is not permitted. "However, in most exceptional cases, personnel enrolled under this scheme may be released, if sanctioned by the competent authority," it said.

The Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14, provides for the recruitment of youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years to 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25% of them for 15 more years.