Thursday, June 16, 2022

RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JUNE 15 ,2022 [ UN EDITED ]

ASSESSMENT

RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN , JUNE 15 ,2022

Karolina Hird, Kateryna Stepanenko, Mason Clark, and Grace Mappes

June 15, 6pm ET

Click here to see ISW's interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.

Western officials announced additional military aid for Ukraine on June 15. US President Joe Biden pledged $1 billion worth of military aid, including coastal defense weapons, advanced rocket systems, artillery, and ammunition to support Ukrainian operations.[1] NATO members additionally announced they will additionally continue to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons and long-range systems and plan to agree on a new assistance package after consultations with Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.[2] This newest round of military aid will be invaluable to support Ukrainian operations, especially in the face of increasingly protracted and artillery-heavy fighting against Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine, though Ukraine will require further sustained support.

Key Takeaways

Russian forces launched ground assaults in Severodonetsk and settlements in its vicinity but have not taken full control over the city as of June 15.
Russian forces launched largely unsuccessful offensive operations around the T1302 Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway in an effort to cut Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) to Lysychansk.
Russian forces continued efforts to advance along the E40 highway to Slovyansk and southeast of Izyum.
Russian and Ukrainian forces continued to fight in northeastern settlements around Kharkiv City.
Russian forces continued to fortify fallback positions in Zaporizhia and Kherson Oblasts, while undertaking defensive measures to strengthen Russian presence in the Black Sea.
The Kremlin and proxy republics continue to pursue ad hoc annexation policies in occupied territories.

We do not report in detail on Russian war crimes because those activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We will continue to evaluate and report on the effects of these criminal activities on the Ukrainian military and population and specifically on combat in Ukrainian urban areas. We utterly condemn these Russian violations of the laws of armed conflict, Geneva Conventions, and humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.

Main Effort—Eastern Ukraine (comprised of one subordinate and three supporting efforts);
Subordinate Main Effort—Encirclement of Ukrainian troops in the cauldron between Izyum and Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts
Supporting Effort 1—Kharkiv City;
Supporting Effort 2—Southern Axis;
Activities in Russian-occupied Areas

Main Effort—Eastern Ukraine

Subordinate Main Effort—Southern Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk Oblasts (Russian objective: Encircle Ukrainian forces in Eastern Ukraine and capture the entirety of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)

Russian forces continued ground assaults in and around Severodonetsk but have not yet captured the Azot industrial plant or taken full control of the city as of June 15.[3] Russian forces have largely isolated Ukrainian troops in Severodonetsk from their lines of communication and are attacking Severodonetsk from multiple directions.[4] Russian troops also conducted an unsuccessful assault in Toshkivka, likely to drive northwards towards Lysychansk instead of conducting an opposed river crossing after having destroyed bridge access to Lysychansk from Severodonetsk.[5] Russian forces continued to fire on settlements surrounding Severodonetsk to further isolate Ukrainian troops and complicate their withdrawal or re-supply efforts.[6]

Russian forces continued offensive operations towards Slovyansk from the southeast of Izyum and made incremental gains on June 15.[7] A Russian Telegram channel claimed that Russian forces captured Dolyna, about 20 kilometers northwest of Slovyansk along the E40 (also known as the M03) highway.[8] Russian forces additionally continued fighting in Dolyna in Krasnopillya and are likely using their positions around Bohorodychne to launch operations to the southeast along the E40 highway.[9]

Russian forces continued ground assaults east of Bakhmut and made marginal gains along the critical T1302 Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway on June 15. Russian forces reportedly broke through Ukrainian defenses in Vrubivka and are fighting for control of Mykolaivka, Yasylivka, Yakovlikva, and Berestove, all settlements within 10 kilometers of the T1302.[10] The Ukrainian General Staff additionally noted that Russian forces re-deployed one battalion tactical group (BTG) to the Bakhmut area from Kupyansk and deployed unspecified elements of the 8th Combined Arms Army to the Komyshuvakha-Popasna area.[11] This deployment to the Bakhmut area indicates that Russian forces are increasingly prioritizing their force grouping around Bakhmut in order to drive up the T1302 highway and complete the encirclement of Lysychansk and Severodonetsk.

Russian forces may be staging false flag attacks around Donetsk City to dissuade pro-Ukrainian sentiment. Local residents of Donetsk City and Makiivka reported heavy shelling of infrastructure within both cities.[12] Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) authorities accused Ukrainian forces of conducting the artillery strikes, but social media users and the Ukrainian Center for Counteracting Disinformation denied these claims and stated that they were likely perpetrated by Russian troops in order to foster anti-Ukrainian sentiments or encourage mobilization into proxy forces.[13] These potential false flag attacks may be a response to statements made by Western officials on June 15 announcing increasing military aid for Ukraine.[14]

Supporting Effort #1—Kharkiv City (Russian objective: Withdraw forces to the north and defend ground lines of communication (GLOCs) to Izyum)

Russian forces continued ground assaults northeast of Kharkiv City to push Ukrainian troops away from occupied frontiers near the Russian border on June 15.[15] Russian forces are likely fighting in Rubizhne (in Kharkiv, not Luhansk Oblast), Tsupivka, Ternova, Staryi Saltiv, and Verkhnii Saltiv.[16] Russian troops continued to fire on settlements around Kharkiv City.[17]

Supporting Effort #2—Southern Axis (Objective: Defend Kherson and Zaporizhia Oblasts against Ukrainian counterattacks)

Russian forces continued to focus on defensive operations in preparation for potential Ukrainian counterattacks along the Southern Axis on June 15.[18] The Ukrainian General Staff stated that Russian forces are improving their engineering equipment around two settlements just southeast of Davydiv Brid, where Ukrainian forces are still conducting limited counterattacks.[19] Russian forces are additionally regrouping in Zaporizhia Oblast.[20] The Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration reported that Russian troops are fortifying positions in Dniprorudne (western Zaporizhia Oblast) with equipment from Crimea and regrouping around Vasylivka to support operations along the Vasylivka-Orikhiv-Huliapole line.[21] The Ukrainian General Staff stated that Russian forces additionally deployed an electronic warfare complex to Melitopol, likely to further support their defensive presence in Zaporizhia and counter ongoing partisan actions.[22]

Russian forces are likely attempting to strengthen their presence in the northwestern Black Sea. Satellite imagery from June 14 shows an increase in fortifications and military equipment on Snake Island.[23] The Russian-appointed Kherson occupation administration stated that the Kherson Commerical Sea Port has resumed operations and will begin cargo transport.[24] While Ukrainian forces still control the critical coastline location of Ochakiv, Mykolaiv Oblast, and can possibly interdict Russian shipping, Russian forces likely intend to strengthen control over port access in the Black Sea under the protection of a fortified naval presence on Snake Island.

Activity in Russian-occupied Areas (Russian objective: consolidate administrative control of occupied areas; set conditions for potential annexation into the Russian Federation or some other future political arrangement of Moscow’s choosing)

Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) Denis Pushilin continued attempts to establish economic partnerships between occupied areas of Donetsk Oblast with Russian territories. Pushilin met with the governors of Chelyabinsk Oblast and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in order to agree on a patronage framework for cooperation with occupied Volnovakha and Yasinuvata.[25] Pushilin additionally met with governor of St. Petersburg to arrange for the restoration of Mariupol.[26] Pushilin is likely seeking to arrange for infrastructure assistance to restore these cities, but his continuous pursuit of ad hoc arrangements with Russian territorial bodies indicates continued inconsistencies between annexation policies pursued by DNR authorities.

Russian authorities are continuing to face difficulties implementing their occupation agendas due to pro-Ukrainian pressure in occupied areas. The Ukrainian Resistance Center reported that unidentified Ukrainian partisans targeted employees of the Russian Emergency Ministry in Mariupol on June 9 and 11.[27] The Ukrainian Resistance Center additionally claimed that Russian occupation authorities are unable to open schools in occupied Berdyansk due to resistance from Ukrainian teachers, who are refusing to teach under Russian curricula.[28] Such pro-Ukrainian action will likely continue to disrupt Russian efforts to consolidate full-scale administrative control of occupied areas and Russian annexation agendas.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/15/...

[2] https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/06/15/world/ukraine-russia-news/nato-d...

[3]https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02um91MuPnLVrYMZ85dR...; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/340232081623210; https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1536934069082238977

[4] https://t.me/luhanskaVTSA/3470; https://t.me/rybar/33933

[5]https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02um91MuPnLVrYMZ85dR...; https://t.me/readovkanews/36796; https://tass dot ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/14915471?utm_source=google.com&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=google.com&utm_referrer=google.com

[6] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/340232081623210

[7]https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02um91MuPnLVrYMZ85dR...; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/340232081623210; https://t.me/rybar/33925; https://t.me/rybar/33939

[8] https://t.me/rybar/33925

[9] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/340232081623210; https://t.me/rybar/33939

[10] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/340232081623210; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02um91MuPnLVrYMZ85dR... https://t.me/rybar/33931; https://t.me/rybar/33925

[11]https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02um91MuPnLVrYMZ85dR...

[12] https://t.me/stranaua/47177; https://twitter.com/den_kazansky/status/1536690881054617601

[13] https://twitter.com/den_kazansky/status/1536690881054617601; https://t.me/stranaua/47177;

[14] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/15/...; https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/15/biden-to-send-another-1-billion-in-milit...; https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/06/15/world/ukraine-russia-news/nato-d...; https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/15/world/europe/us-defense-secretary-llo...

[15]https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02um91MuPnLVrYMZ85dR...; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/340232081623210

[16] https://t.me/rybar/33925; https://t.me/epoddubny/11237; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/340232081623210

[17] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/340232081623210; https://t.me/synegubov/3437

[18]https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02um91MuPnLVrYMZ85dR... https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/340232081623210; https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2604839622981756; https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=325931776361123

[19] https://twitter.com/GeoConfirmed/status/1537078942951170049; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02um91MuPnLVrYMZ85dR...

[20] https://t.me/zoda_gov_ua/9118; https://t.me/zoda_gov_ua/9134

[21] https://t.me/zoda_gov_ua/9118

[22]https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02um91MuPnLVrYMZ85dR...

[23] https://t.me/milinfolive/85131; https://twitter.com/OSINT88/status/1537020749403369472; https://twitter.com/666_mancer/status/1537045868288827392; https://twitter.com/OSINT88/status/1537020749403369472; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/340232081623210

[24] https://t.me/stranaua/47179

[25] https://t.me/pushilindenis/2359

[26] https://t.me/pushilindenis/2359

[27] https://sprotyv dot mod.gov.ua/2022/06/15/v-mariupoli-partyzany-spalyly-tehniku-rosiyan/

[28] https://sprotyv dot mod.gov.ua/2022/06/15/v-berdyansku-praczivnyky-osvity-masovo-vidmovlyayutsya-spivpraczyuvaty-z-okupantamy/

Tour of Duty: Don’t Blunt our Winning Edge

SOURCE: (a)

Tour of Duty: Don’t Blunt our Winning Edge

Maj Gen G G DWIVEDI (Retd)

The 'Tour of Duty' scheme was conceived in 2020 under the aegis of ‘Department of Military Affairs’ headed by then CDS General Bipin Rawat

As part of the ongoing military reforms, the government is introducing a ‘Tour of Duty’ (ToD) scheme called Agnipath, which is a short-term recruitment plan. Under the new policy, males aged 18-21 years with 10+2 qualifications, will be enrolled on a contractual basis for a period of four years, including six months of training. On completion of the tenure, 75 percent will stand released and the remaining will be re-enrolled for a period of 15 years on fresh terms of service, which will entitle them to pension and post-retirement benefits. Those relieved as ‘Agni Veers’ will be given a severance package called ‘Seva Nidhi’, an amount of Rs 10 lakh — an individual contributing 30 percent of monthly emoluments and government supplementing with an equal amount.

Every year, around 60,000 defence personnel retire from the service. The ToD recruitment scheme was conceived in 2020 under the aegis of ‘The Department of Military Affairs’ headed by then CDS General Bipin Rawat. The underlying rationale for this proposition was to reduce the mounting defence pension bill, estimated to be over a third (including MOD civilians who are 28 per cent and share a whopping 42 per cent of the Pension budget ) of the defence budget. Given the crucial imperatives, the ToD proposal suffers from serious pitfalls as it overlooks critical ground realities.

The Regimentation

India’s rural hinterland continues to be the major source for Army recruitment. The main reason for this is that defence forces are seen as a symbol of pride, synonymous with high social status amongst the communities in the countryside. For many young people, joining the Army remains a preferred choice, evident from the series of protests by the aspirants against non-recruitment in the last two years. Further, since recruitment to the armed forces is purely merit-based, the fairness of the selection system enjoys a high degree of credibility. It is not uncommon to come across third or even fourth-generation recruits joining the regiments of their forefathers.

The structural foundation, the edifice of the Indian Army, rests on the units whose organizational culture is defined by camaraderie and ‘esprit de corps’ based on mutual faith and trust. While technical skills like handling of weapons and equipment or tactical drills can be developed in a shorter time frame, it takes a long to build team cohesion; starting with the buddy system, graduating to small detachment, section, platoon and company. Given the diverse backgrounds of the new joiners, moulding a raw recruit into a seasoned soldier is a painstaking transformational process. It entails individual nurturing, mentoring, building self-esteem, inculcating the ethos of a regiment, and imbibing a deep sense of conviction. It takes years to mould a battle-worthy soldier who will ultimately take the call to make the supreme sacrifice.

It is because of this institutionalised and time-tested system that an Indian soldier has stood the ground against the heaviest odds, despite being inadequately equipped and fighting with whatever is available.

Even during the 1962 War, in the Battles of Razangla- Gurung Hill or Walong, our men fought to the finish. In the 1965 War and later in the 1971 Bangladesh War, a spectacular victory against Pakistan was achieved despite the fact that most of the weapon systems were of WW II vintage. Even today, Indian armed forces continue to deliver amidst the most arduous conditions.

Security Challenges

India’s security challenges are very complex, posing a serious threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two-front threat is a stark reality with the Pakistan-orchestrated proxy war in J&K and China’s aggressive posturing along the LAC. The US and the West, where the ToD model is in vogue, have peaceful neighbourhoods with settled borders. Their security commitments are more about protecting national interests against weak opponents. In such scenarios ‘tourist soldiering’ makes sense. Incidentally, US’s humiliating defeats in Vietnam and Afghanistan were significantly due to card punching syndrome and the poor performance of seasonal soldiers. In the case of Israel too, where compulsory military service is the norm, the prevailing security threat is primarily by way of terrorism. Currently, in Ukraine, the performance of undertrained Russian conscripts is rather dismal. Even the Chinese military’s part-time soldiers have been found wanting to cope with the operational environment in Ladakh, despite being equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and equipment.

Regarding the financial aspects of the pension bill, it is pertinent to note that the approximate strength of the armed forces is around 15 lakh and that of civilians in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is 3.75 lakh. Total number of defence pensioners is about 24.62 lakh; armed forces veterans numbering 19 lakh and civilians 5.62 lakh. In the current financial year, the defence budget was Rs 525,166 crore, of which defence personnel pension outlay was Rs 2,07,132 crore; i.e. around 39.4 per cent. Going further into the breakdown of the defence pension, the defence personnel account for Rs 1,19,696 crore and civilians Rs 87,436 crore. It is evident that the proportionate share of defence civilian pension is far higher than that of defence personnel.

Evaluate Alternatives

Given the above imperatives, the ToD scheme is flawed and merits a holistic review. The tendency to replicate the corporate model which devolves on the culture of ‘hire and fire’ or ‘use and throw’ defies the fundamental tenets of the armed forces and impinges on the solemn code of ‘Honour, Loyalty, Identity. Interestingly, in the corporate world, there has been a serious rethink on the organizational culture and man management in the wake of Covid-19. Entities which treated human resources as expendable commodities faced an existential crisis. The Western template is not relevant in our environment given the ground imperatives. A detailed ‘cost-benefit’ analysis of the ToD scheme reveals that drawbacks far outweigh the envisaged payoffs.

There are a number of alternatives which can ease the burden of mounting defence pension burden. To start with, MOD, the apex body, needs immediate restructuring and trimming down the civilian workforce to enable proficient prosecution of ‘higher direction war’. Similar actions are due in the case of other government bodies like the DRDO. Within the services too, organizational changes by way of operational jointness, integration in training and logistics coupled with ‘Atamnirbhar’ initiatives will result in major cost-cutting. Lateral placement of service personnel especially from the combat arms to the CAPFs is a of viable option and must be pursued despite resistance from the parent organizations. Some earlier policies like volunteer exit after seven to ten years service as reservists may be reimagined.

Veterans are the face of the armed forces in society.

To quote US first President George Washington;

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars treated and appreciated by their nation”.

An ‘Agniveer’ left to fend for self after four years of service may not be an ideal role model for the youth of the nation.

General George S Patton had famously said: “Wars are fought with weapons but won by the men. It is the spirit of men who follow and the man who leads that gain victory”.

The Indian Army has fought all the war against adversaries who were better armed, yet won because of the soldier behind the weapon. The situation is unlikely to change in the near future; in fact, the gap is likely to widen vis-à-vis China. So let’s be wary of not blunting our winning edge!

(The writer is a war veteran who commanded a battalion in Siachen-Chushul, formations in the Valley and North East; he is currently Professor, Strategic-IR and Management Studies)

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

AGNIVEERS Of AGNIPATH

SOURCE:

(a) https://pib.gov.in/WebcastMore.aspx?webcast_tempID=780

#PIB

Press briefing by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Streamed live on Jun 14, 2022

https://youtu.be/8bQ6Khl018E

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (DEFENCE WING)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

*********

‘हर काम देश के नाम’

New Delhi, Jyaistha 18, 1944

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

In a trans formative reform, Cabinet clears the ‘AGNIPATH’ scheme for

recruitment of youth in the Armed Forces

Agniveers to be enrolled under respective Service Acts for four years

Attractive monthly package with Risk & Hardship allowances as

applicable in the three Services

One time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package to be paid to Agniveers upon completion

of engagement period of four years

46,000 Agniveers to be recruited this year

Recruitment rallies will commence in 90 days

Armed Forces to have a younger, fitter, diverse profile for facing future challenges

=========================

#Gravitas #India #Agnipath

Gravitas: Agnipath: India's new armed forces recruitment scheme

Jun 14, 2022

https://youtu.be/KdXxGhr0swM

====================================

#TheGist #Agnipath #Agniveer

'Agnipath' Soldier Recruitment: "Operational Efficiency, Upgrading Fighting Skills Remain Central"

https://youtu.be/DWVLkEBiQ8w

On #TheGist, Lt Gen A.K. Bhatt (Retd), Director General, Indian Space Association, Former DG Military Operations, Former 15 Corps Commander and Ex-Military Secretary in conversation with StratNews Global Associate Editor Amitabh P. Revi. Lt Gen Bhatt discusses the 'Agnipath' recruitment scheme for the armed forces at the soldier level. 75 % of soldiers(recruited under the new model and called 'Agniveers') will get released after four years of service. Only up toper centcent of the best professionals will be re-inducted for permanent service. 46,000 Agniveers will be recruited this year. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the chiefs of the three services were present and spoke at a media briefing. Lt Gen Anil Puri, Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs said, "The average age is around 32 years, in time to come it will further come down to 26 years. This will happen in six-seven years. In order to transform the armed forces into youthful, tech-savvy, modern, there's a need to harness the youth potential and make him a future-ready soldier". After the announcement, the Ministry of Defence said "operational efficiency and upgrading fighting skills will remain the central goal of the armed forces. The scheme will preserve what is working well and ensure that we don’t fix what is not broken and suggestions of ex-servicemen, retired officers and experts will be taken to ensure a smooth implementation". ========================

AGNIVEERS Of AGNIPATH

The Union Cabinet today approved an attractive recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces. The scheme is called AGNIPATH and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers. AGNIPATH allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years.

The AGNIPATH Scheme has been designed to enable a youthful profile of the Armed Forces. It will provide an opportunity to the youth who may be keen to don the uniform by attracting young talent from the society who are more in tune with contemporary technological trends and plough back skilled, disciplined and motivated manpower into the society. As for the Armed Forces, it will enhance the youthful profile of the Armed Forces and provide a fresh lease of ‘Josh’ and ‘Jazba’ whilst at the same time bringing about a transformational shift towards a more tech-savvy Armed Forces – which is indeed the need of the hour. It is envisaged that the average age profile of the Indian Armed forces would come down by about 4-5 years by the implementation of this scheme. The national stands to immensely benefit by infusion of highly inspired youth with a deeper understanding of self-discipline, diligence and focus who would be adequately skilled and will be able to contribute in other sectors. The dividends of short military service to the nation, society and the youth of the nation are immense. This includes the inculcation of patriotism, teamwork, enhancement of physical fitness, ingrained loyalty for the country and availability of trained personnel to boost national security in times of external threats, internal threats and natural disasters.

This is a major defence policy reform introduced by the Government to usher in a new era in the Human Resource policy of the three Services. The policy, which comes into immediate effect, will hereafter govern the enrolment for the three services.

Benefits to the Agniveers

Agniveers will be given an attractive customised monthly package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in the three services. On completion of the engagement period of four years, Agniveers will be paid one time ‘Seva Nidhi’ package which shall comprise their contribution including accrued interest thereon and matching contribution from the Government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution including interest as indicated below:

The ‘Seva Nidhi’ will be exempt from Income Tax. There shall be no entitlement to gratuity and pensionary benefits. Agniveers will be provided a non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs 48 lakhs for the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces.

During this period of service to the nation, the Agniveers will be imparted with various military skills and experience, discipline, physical fitness, leadership qualities, courage and patriotism. Post this stint of four years, the Agniveers will be infused into the civil society where they can contribute immensely towards the nation-building process. The skills gained by each Agniveer will be recognised in a certificate to form part of his unique resume. Agniveers, on completion of the four-year tenure in the prime of their youth, will be mature and self-disciplined with the realization to become a better version of himself/herself both professionally as also personally. The avenues and opportunities that will open up for their progress in the civil world after Agniveer's tenure would certainly be a big plus towards nation-building. Moreover, the Seva Nidhi of approximately Rs 11.71 lakhs would aid the Agniveer to pursue his/her future dreams without the financial pressure, which is normally the case for young people from the financially deprived strata of society.

The individuals, selected for enrolment in the Armed Forces as regular cadre, would be required to serve for a further engagement period of a minimum of 15 years and would be governed by the existing terms and conditions of service of Junior Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks in Indian Army and their equivalent in Indian Navy and Indian Air Force and that of Non-Combatant enrolled in the Indian Air Force, as amended from time to time.

The scheme will lead to a much more youthful and technically adept war fighting force by ensuring a fine balance between youthful and experienced personnel in the Armed Forces.

Advantages

• A transformative reform of recruitment policy of the Armed Forces.

• A unique opportunity to the youth to serve the country and contribute to Nation Building.

• Armed Forces profile to be youthful and dynamic.

• Attractive financial package for the Agniveers

. • Opportunity for Agniveers to train in the best institutions and enhance their skills & qualifications.

• Availability of well-disciplined and skilled youth with military ethos in civil society.

• Adequate re-employment opportunities for those returning to society and who could emerge as role models for the youth.

Terms & Conditions

Under the AGNIPATH scheme, the Agniveers will be enrolled in the Forces under respective Service Acts for a period of four years. They would form a distinct rank in the Armed Forces, different from any other existing ranks. Upon the completion of four years of service, based on organisational requirements and policies promulgated by the Armed Forces from time to time, Agniveers will be offered an opportunity to apply for permanent enrolment in the Armed Forces. These applications will be considered in a centralised manner based on objective criteria including performance during their four-year engagement period and up to 25% of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in the regular cadre of the Armed Forces. Detailed guidelines will be issued separately.

Enrolment will be undertaken through an online centralised system for all three services with specialised rallies and campus interviews from recognised technical institutes such as Industrial Training Institutes and National Skills Qualifications Framework, among others. Enrolment will be based on an the ‘All India All Class’ basis and the eligible age will be in range from 17.5 to 21 years. Agniveers will meet the medical eligibility conditions laid down for enrolment in the armed forces as applicable to respective categories/trades. The educational qualification for Agniveers will remain as in vogue for enrollment in various categories. {For example: For entry into General Duty (GD) soldier, the educational qualification is Class 10}.

Vasundhra