NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday described the Agnipath program as a “transformative policy” that is a “game changer” in strengthening the military and preparing it for future challenges, stressing that Agniveers (those operating under the new model recruited) will make the armed forces “younger and more tech-savvy.”

The Prime Minister’s comments came as he addressed the first group of Agniveers from the three services.

In his videoconference address, the prime minister addressed the new frontiers of non-contact warfare and the challenges of cyber warfare, saying that soldiers trained in technologically advanced techniques would play a key role in the armed forces.

Agnipath’s model for short-term induction of soldiers into the three services is a major departure from the military’s decades-old recruiting system, which was shut down when the government announced the new system in 2022. It aims to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a stipulation to keep 25% of them in regular service.

The Agnivere recruited under the new model began their training in early January. Modi congratulated them for being the pioneers of the groundbreaking program.

The Prime Minister said “New India” was filled with renewed vigor and efforts were underway to modernize the armed forces and make them “aatmanirbhar” (self-sufficient). He also spoke about how the program would continue to empower women and said he looks forward to seeing female Agniveers in all three armed forces.

India had announced the Agnipath program on June 14, 2022, replacing the old system to lower the age profile of the armed forces, ensure a fitter military and create a tech-savvy force capable of meeting future challenges. It sparked widespread protests and forced the government into concerted action to allay fears about the scheme.

According to the Defense Ministry, over 5.4 million candidates have applied for the 46,000 posts in the three services of the first phase (40,000 in the army and 3,000 each in the Indian Air Force and Navy).

The Prime Minister said that being posted to different regions of the country gives Agniveers the opportunity to have diverse experiences and that they should try to learn different languages ​​and also learn about different cultures and ways of life. He said teamwork and improving leadership skills would add a new dimension to her personality.

In his address, Defense Secretary Rajnath Singh said several ministries, including the Ministry of Defence, are committed to the welfare of the Agniveers.

“A reservation will be secured for Agniveers on a number of posts in various departments of the Ministry of Defence, the Central Armed Police Forces and the Ministry of Railways. The Department of Defense and the Department of Education are working together to ensure Agniveers receive adequate training. Arrangements are being made in cooperation with the Treasury to provide loans at reasonable interest rates to Agniveers wishing to engage in self-employment or after-duty business,” Singh added.