3-year degree programme for Agnipath recruits

• The Union Education Ministry said it will launch a three-year degree programme that will give credits to serving defence personnel who avail themselves of the scheme.
• Union Home Ministry - Youth from ‘Agnipath’ scheme will get priority in recruitment to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles.

Aim of Home and Education ministry

• The aim is to “enhance the future career prospects of our ‘Agniveers’.
• Education ministry: Designed and executed by IGNOU.
• 50% of the credits required for the graduate degree will come from skills received under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme.
• The remaining 50% will come from a basket of courses that cover a wide variety of subjects.
• Home ministry: Priority to be accorded to Agniveers in recruitment.
• There has been an over 80% decline in the number of CAPF personnel recruitment in the past 4 years.
• In 2020, only 10,184 CAPF posts were filled, while vacancies stood at 1.29 lakh.

Prelims Takeaway

• CAPF
• Agnipath scheme