Why do BJP's allies want to review the Agnipath scheme?

What do the NDA leaders want?

JD (U) National Spokesperson K C Tyagi said, “There is anger among voters with regard to the Agnipath scheme. Our party wants this scheme to be discussed threadbare in the government, and its flaws removed.”

Chirag Paswan, the chief of Lok Jana Sakti Party (Ram Vilas), which won all the five seats it contested in Bihar, in an interview to NDTV said, “The Prime Minister has said the matter is open for discussion. We must discuss how much we can deliver through Agniveer, because this is something related to the youth of our country. A review must be done.”

Paswan, however, noted that discussions can be kept on hold till the government is formed.

When the scheme was introduced in 2022, NCP leader Ajit Pawar also said that its flaws must be removed.

Features of the scheme

Those recruited under the scheme will serve for four years, including training. Thereafter, up to 25 percent of each batch could be selected, depending on the requirement. The rest will be given preference for certain jobs under the defence and home ministries (police, paramilitary forces, etc.)

The Agniveers will receive a gross  pay  of Rs 4.76 lakh in the first year, which will go up to Rs 6.92 lakh in fourth year. Additionally, they will also receive risk and hardship allowances.

At the end of four years, Agniveers will receive a Seva Nidhi of Rs 11.71 lakh, which will be tax exempt. However, there will be no gratuity and pension.

According to the scheme, the Agniveers will get a non-contributory life insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh for the duration of their engagement with the armed forces.

The validity of the scheme was challenged in various courts across India, which were all subsequently transferred to the Delhi High Court (HC) at the Supreme Court’s (SC's) direction. In February 2023, the Delhi HC upheld the scheme’s validity. In April 2023, the SC refused to interfere with the Delhi HC order, enabling the continuation of the scheme.

What were the objections against the scheme?

In the proceedings before the Delhi HC, those who challenged the scheme fell broadly into two categories. One was those who challenged the constitutional validity of the scheme. The other was those who had participated in the erstwhile recruitment process of the army and were shortlisted, but were not appointed due to the subsequent announcement of the  scheme.

The candidates who had passed the recruitment test had contended that the government stopped recruitment  under the earlier scheme mid-way, without any intimation, and introduced the Agnipath scheme. As a result, now they cannot take part in the recruitment process as they are age-barred. The candidates moved court asking the government to complete the recruitment  that it had started under the old scheme.

Those who challenged the scheme's constitutional validity contended that the scheme was arbitrary and discriminatory, and given the Indian milieu, 3.5 years of service in the armed forces may be too short to be a viable option, as a sizeable chunk of these recruits may not be able to find decent employment after their stint in the forces.

Furthermore, not providing pension to the recruits is contrary to the schemes of other countries, after which Agnipath has been modelled. Also, the life insurance cover, as envisaged under the scheme, is less than that of a regular soldier.

The central government’s arguments

According to the government, the scheme was enacted taking into account the border situation and incessant threats made by hostile neighbouring nations. The government also argued that Indian terrain includes mountain ranges, swampy marshes, jungles, deserts, riverine areas, glaciated regions, as well as isolated island territories. In light of this, the government felt the need to establish a more youthful, agile, and physically fit armed force.

The Centre contended that the average age of a soldier was 32 years, as opposed to the global average of 26 years. The government sought to align with the global average by having a force of young jawans, sailors, and airmen between the age of 18-25, who would be employed as   Agniveers, and supervised by the experienced regular cadre. The Centre also contended that the scheme was introduced after years of deliberation and studies.

Why did Delhi HC uphold the scheme?

The HC noted that the Agnipath scheme is a policy decision and courts cannot interfere with the government’s policymaking, unless it is discriminatory or in violation of the constitution and other laws. The judgment said: “This scope for judicial interference is further constrained when the scheme or policy decision pertains to national security.”

The court said that policy decisions of the government, especially with regard to national security, are usually taken after careful consideration of the socio-political scenario of the country as well as that of the border countries.  “The courts cannot and should not delve into the appropriateness of such policy decisions and, thus endanger one of the most important aspects of the basic structure doctrine, i.e., the principle of separation of powers,” the HC reasoned.

As for those who had participated in the recruitment process of the army and were shortlisted but not  appointed because of the scheme, the court said, “Individuals who were merely waiting to be issued an appointment letter cannot claim to have a vested right to gain employment.”  According to the court, merely because the candidates completed the recruitment process under the old scheme, they could not seek appointment in the armed forces as a matter of right.

“We can conclusively state that this scheme was made in the national interest, to ensure that the armed forces are better equipped. Due to this, this court finds that the petitioners have no right to claim that the recruitment under the earlier notifications needs to be completed.”

The Supreme Court chose not to delve deeper into the issue and agreed with the HC's order.