"Phased, Progressive Training": Air Vice Chief On Concerns Around Agnipath

Amid protests and opposition from various quarters, including some veterans and retired armed forces officers, on the recently launched Agnipath recruitment plan of the government, opinion has been sharply divided. While the Centre has called it a "radical recruitment plan" for the armed forces which is primarily aimed at cutting down salary and pension bills and freeing up funds for urgent procurement of weapons, critics have slammed the plan saying the duration of service is too short. There have been massive protests in Bihar opposing the scheme.