Agniveers to be considered for physical education teachers: Anurag Thakur

Amid the ongoing protests over the Agnipath scheme, Anurag Thakur said that after retirement from service, Agniveers will be considered for appointment as physical education teachers in schools

Amid the ongoing protests across the country over the Agnipath scheme, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur on Saturday said that after retirement from service, Agniveers will be considered for appointment as physical education teachers in schools.

Speaking to ANI, The Union Minister said when the youth come out of the army after four years, special training will be given to 'Agniveers' who want to become physical education teachers.

"...To provide some crash courses and to provide training to those who want to become physical education teachers. 15 lakh physical education teachers' posts are lying vacant in various states. We're thinking in this direction also," Thakur said.

Meanwhile, he appealed to the youth, who are protesting against the Agnipath Scheme not to indulge in violence and said that the government is "seriously listening to their concerns".

"I appeal to youth that violence is not the right way. The government is seriously listening to your concerns. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports also mulling doing something for them when they come after four years of their service."

The Union Cabinet on June 14 approved a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the three services of the Armed Forces 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.

According to the latest announcement by the Ministry, the upper age limit for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) - inclusive of Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), National Security Guard (NSG) and Special Protection Group (SPG) - will stand at 26 years.

Meanwhile, the first batch of Agniveers will avail a further relaxation of 5 years beyond the upper age limit of 23, taking it to 28 years.