Average age of soldiers should be 26-27, Agniveers to be eligible for gallantry awards: Army official

The Department of Military Affairs said Agniveers will be eligible for gallantry awards. Addressing the ongoing protests against the short-term military scheme, Additional Secretary Lieutenant General Anil Puri said Patriotism or working in the army is a passion, not a provision for a job.

He added that the department engages in 80-100 bilateral exercises with many countries. The idea that the average age of soldiers is 26-27 came from such interactions.

The country has been seeing widespread protests and violent riots against Agnipath since the first announcement. Army aspirants have not accepted the scheme despite the government announcing concessions in age groups and the possibility of permanent employment for a small percentage of the recruits. As per the new initiative, Agnipath will be the only one to join the forces for everyone except those in the medical branches.

Lieutenant General Puri further said the current situation in the country is such that 50-60 people apply for every vacancy, but only one is selected. "We need the best candidate for the country. The selection process will be transparent, fair, objective, and centrally maintained". He added that soldiers are the biggest asset of India, and whatever solution we make will be for the defense of the country, reported ANI.

Lieutenant General Bansi Ponappa said at the same press conference that the entire recruitment schedule is ready, and the recruitment notification for the Agnipath scheme has been uploaded on the Join Indian Army website.

The three chiefs of Indian Defence services - Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force - backed the central government's scheme on Friday.