The recent announcement of the 'Agniveer' scheme is related to how the youth will be recruited in the Indian Defense Forces.

There was a ban on general recruitment for more than two years and suddenly the Agniveer scheme was announced, causing a lot of turmoil.

Generally, the armed forces are out of the hustle and bustle of Indian politics, but still they are caught in a big controversy.

The manner in which the candidates expressed their anger across the country has put a big question mark on the brilliance and talent of the recruitment policy.

Violent incidents are undoubtedly unfortunate and condemnable.

However, after that things progressed so fast that whatever is written, many more incidents come to the fore by the time it is published.

A major amendment has already been made by the government.

Every hour and every day 'Deal Sweeteners' are being announced by various authorities.

The gist is that the last word is yet to be written.

Obviously there are a lot of variables in this issue but it would be good if we focus on a few constants.

Maybe it will show us a way forward.

However, in this case there are three constant issues that are relevant - the government, the defense forces and the civilians. 

Sarkar: No matter which party is in power, it is a fact that the Government of India always grapples with the Guns v/s Butter debate on a daily basis.

India ranks high on various parameters related to the Armed Forces but on many parameters of human development, India ranks very low.

It needs improvement but we will need a lot of resources which we can take away from the defense sector.

The kind of geography we have and the strained relations we have with our two nuclear-armed neighbors, we have to prioritize defense if India wants to maintain its ambition of becoming a regional power.

The government is right in its effort to ensure that every rupee allocated to the defense treasury gets the maximum benefit.

They say that use your money diligently and get maximum benefit from it.

Wage and pension bills are issues that cannot be defended and need to be reformed.

There is a need for accountants to intervene quickly as resources are limited and the number of legitimate claimants is huge.

Keeping the armed forces ready for war is undoubtedly a costly task, but if we consider our relations with our neighbours, the country has little choice. 

Defense Forces: Constitutionally the armed forces have to protect India and every part of it.

For this they need to be empowered - both in terms of men and material.

How much of the limited defense kitty is spent on men (serving and retired) and how much goes towards material – these issues need constant attention at the highest level.

Due to the new revolution in military affairs, technology is now being used tremendously in the battlefield.

It also takes a lot of money to buy and maintain military hardware compared to before.

If an adversary country like China is a neighbor, then India cannot take any short cut route on the technical capability front.

But it would also be totally wrong to dismiss the human factor.

In the recent standoff with China, especially during winter, we saw Indian soldiers showing great courage when the machines started to slow down.

Therefore, in future, even in a technologically rich battlefield, we will need men who are young, physically fit and with a high level of military prowess and motivation.

All this will happen only when the soldier understands this as the purpose of his life and reaches his work.

We need professionals and not newbies.

Malcolm Gladwell says in his book "Outliers" that it takes ten thousand hours of intense practice to master a complex skill.

Ten thousand hours means about 15 months.

If we assume an eight-hour working day, then those ten thousand hours of intense practice would take about four years.

And these exercises can only make someone skilled, not upgrade his skills.

Under the 'Agniveer' scheme, 75% of the soldiers will be removed after four years.

Where the battalions will receive a new contingent of 'agniveers' starting their ten thousand hour journey anew,

So those who leave will begin a different journey with an uncertain ten-thousand-hour journey.

However, in spite of this being said, there is no doubt that the Indian Armed Forces will have to keep in mind the fact that today's recruits will be tomorrow's pensioners and keeping this in mind, there is a need to properly align the operational requirements with the manpower requirements. the wanted. 

Citizen: Let us consider only the possible candidates.

The Indian Armed Forces are a source of employment for the youth, especially those who have not acquired the quality education required for other jobs.

Job security and lifetime pension is the most important thing about this profession.

In rural areas, from where most of our soldiers are recruited, a career in the army brings lifelong honours, financial security for the family and increased family fortune.

It is true that not everyone will get a job in the army, but till all the avenues are exhausted, everyone has hope.

Anything that hinders the fulfillment of that expectation will not be fully accepted by the people.

This should be considered while taking any decision.

Policy makers on such plans need to consider the mental and psychological structure of the rural society.

The sudden announcement of such decisions has always had an adverse effect, as was seen during the recent agricultural law movement.

It is the same section of the society that has been affected by this policy.

Therefore, the time to roll out this scheme has been very bad.

Tension in rural areas has increased in recent years due to demonetisation, lockdown, rising inflation and rising unemployment.

The proposal has also shocked the veteran community of soldiers living in the villages.   

The way forward - There is a need to communicate better with the government about the variables discussed above.

Here are my thoughts after much deliberation:  

First of all the pending recruitment process should be completed.

This step alone will instill confidence and avert any extreme reaction.

The most important aspect is to restart the process which was stalled due to Kovid in March 2020. 

- A large number of logistics organizations are now irrelevant.

Fiscal issue needs to be worked out by dissolving and closing them. 

- a large number of training establishments can be carried out simultaneously, either in a group or can be eliminated;

For example, Infantry regiments each have their own training center for recruits.

This would be redundant in today's All India All-Class Army.  

If pension is really such a problem then new recruitments can start from NPS like other forces.

Other terms and conditions of service like extension of pensionable service may also be considered. 

- A good offer is that we recruit only in combat arms and combat support.

After completing 15 years, they can go for 58 years in logistics and administrative jobs like officers.

This will make a big difference in the pension bill. 

The scheme may be put on hold for a few months in the best interest of the country and the armed forces.

And this issue can be discussed not only by a parliamentary committee but also with a group of Army Veterans including some JCOs and NCOs.

Few thousand young boys who were already in the process of recruitment may be included based on the previous terms and conditions. 

(Major General (Retd) Dr. Yash Mor is an inspiration to millions of young students. He is the leadership coach, teacher and mentor of the students.)


Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the personal views of the author.