New Delhi, 17 June 2022.
The Union Cabinet
on Tuesday unveiled the Agnipath scheme, a transformative move to modernise the
country’s armed forces, create opportunities for the youth to serve the nation,
and via soldiering, create a large pool of skilled youth who can contribute to
India’s overall defence preparedness, as well with their skills and experience
create opportunities for themselves and contribute to the growth of the
economy.
Skill India and the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship (MSDE) are proud to be associated with the Agnipath scheme and
will work closely with the Armed Forces in the implementation of the programme
as the country prepares a future-ready army of young Indians.
Skill India and MSDE will work collaboratively with
various wings of the Armed Forces to train the students in additional skills to
make them better suited to these job roles.
Besides, all Agniveers will get Skill India certification
while in service, which will enable them to pursue many diverse opportunities
in entrepreneurship and job roles that are being created in our economy after
completion of their tenure.
All organisations of Skill
India — Directorate General of Training (DGT), National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC), various Sector Skill Councils, entrepreneurship institutes
NIESBUD and IIE, as well as skills regulator NCVET, will be connected with this
exercise to ensure that Agniveers get the required skill certifications related
to their job roles while in service. Some skills learnt on the job may have
direct equivalence with NSQF syllabus. For some, complimenting their on-the-job
experience with additional online or offline, theory or hands-on skills may be
required. These details, as well as any training for trainers of Armed Forces,
and training assessors, preferably from the Forces, for assessing and
certifying — all these aspects are being worked out. At the time of exit, the
entire skill ecosystem will be open to these young Agniveers who will benefit
from the several upskilling/multi-skilling training and entrepreneurship
courses available to them.
The Agnipath scheme is a transformative one. It will
result in the creation of a tech-savvy, young workforce, along with core values
of our military like nation-first, which are vital for India’s continued growth
and progress. The Agniveers will become assets both in the defence of our
borders and in taking India closer to becoming a modern, technology-led, young
global superpower.