Education Ministry to launch degree programme for Agniveers
Officials said on Wednesday that the Ministry of Education (MoE) will launch a special three-year skill-based bachelor’s degree programme for such defence personnel, which will recognise the skill training they received during their tenure in the defence establishments, keeping in mind their future career prospects. The Indira Gandhi National Open University’s (IGNOU) degree programme will be recognised for work and education in India and overseas.
According to authorities (Education Ministry), the Army, Navy, and Air Force will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IGNOU to implement the plan. On Tuesday, the Centre launched ‘Agnipath,’ a “transformative” scheme for the recruitment of troops in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, mostly on a short-term contractual basis, in order to reduce the armed forces’ increasing wage and pension expenses and permit a more youthful profile. Indian youngsters will be given the chance to serve in the armed services as ‘Agniveers’ under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme.
The system provides for the retention of 25% of each specific batch for regular duty once the recruits’ four-year tenure is over, based on organisational requirements and rules established by the armed services from time to time.
The curriculum follows the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) guidelines, as well as the National Credit Framework and National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), as stipulated by the new National Education Policy (NEP). The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), and the University Grants Commission (UGC) have all given their approval to the program’s structure.
