'Agnipath' scheme: Govt unveils radical changes in recruitment of soldiers

In their first year, 'Agniveers' will be paid a customised package of Rs 30,000 per month, rising incrementally each year to Rs 40,000 in the fourth year

India on Tuesday unveiled a "transformative" scheme called "Agnipath" for the recruitment of soldiers into the Army, the Navy and the Air Force largely on a short-term contractual basis with an aim to cut the ballooning salary and pension bills and enable a youthful profile of the armed forces.
 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh provided details of the new initiative at a media briefing shortly after the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security approved the scheme which the government said would allow "patriotic and motivated" youth to serve in the armed forces for a period of four years.
 

"Under the 'Agnipath'