Agnipath Scheme Is A well-thought-out Policy To Maintain The National Security Of The Country - Delhi HC

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad, while upholding the constitutional validity of the Agnipath scheme, said that the scheme is a well-thought-out policy to maintain the national security of the Country. Moreover, the scheme is not arbitrary or devoid of reason, and, therefore, the bench cannot interfere with it.

Agnipath Scheme provides temporary enlisting of young people in the armed forces for a four-years. After four years, only 25% of the applicants will be retained in the armed forces' regular service and the remaining 75% will be retired.

The time spent serving as an Agniveer will not be considered regular service. Once a youth is retained in the service after four years, it will be considered a fresh service. 

This scheme has led to widespread protests all over the nation, and multiple petitions were filed before several High Courts. 

The High Court dismissed all petitions challenging the scheme in a detailed judgment issued today and rejected the pleas challenging the halt on recruitment processes in the armed forces, which had been advertised before the scheme was introduced.

The bench said that it is necessary to focus on the benefits that are being provided, rather than on the alleged political motives of Agnipath. Agniveers who leave the armed forces after four years will be given appropriate certificates for their experience and will be in a better position to secure meaningful employment.

In addition, the Court argued that the scheme has many advantages that can't be dislodged based on the apprehension that after being trained in the Army, such individuals might be unemployed or may turn to illegal or unethical activities.

According to the court, the recent border skirmishes further emphasize the need for a leaner, fitter Armed Force capable of handling the mental and physical strains that accompany military service.

It ruled that candidates had no vested right to seek such recruitment due to the introduction of Agnipath.