Education Ministry to Start New Degree Course For Agniveers, 50% Credit Will Come from the Service Tenure

As the centre unveiled the Agnipath scheme on Tuesday, the career prospect for the Armed Defence Services personnel will see a phenomenal change. As per the Newly implemented Agnipath recruitment scheme, Indian youth will be able to serve in the defence services on a short-term contractual basis. After a service of 4 years, 75% of recruits will be honourably discharged from the services. 

Considering the future of Agniveer after their discharge from the services, the education ministry is going to launch a special Three years degree programme approved by all the recognizing bodies like UGC, AICTE etc.

The Programme will provide 50% credits for the skill training received by defence personnel during their tenure in the defence establishments. This degree programme will be offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and will be recognised both in India and abroad for employment and education.

As per the Ministry of Education officials(MoE), Air Force, Army and Navy will sign a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with IGNOU for the implementation of this programme.

“The degree programme will recognize in-service training received by Agniveers as credits for graduation and will open up opportunities for them to pursue civilian careers of their choice. Under the programme, 50 per cent of the credits required for a graduate degree will come from skill training — both technical and non-technical, received by the Agniveers,” a senior MoE official said.

“The remaining 50 per cent credits will come from a basket of courses that cover a wide variety of subjects like languages, Economics, History, Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, Mathematics, Education, Commerce, Tourism, Vocational Studies, Agriculture, ‘Jyotish’ and ability enhancement courses on Environmental Studies and English Communication Skills,” the official added.

It is expected that the framework of this new programme will very soon be attained as a  conjoined discussion between the Army, Air force, Navy and the Education of Ministry is progressing smoothly.