New Delhi

The Department of Military Affairs has clarified that Agniveers recruited under the central government’s new armed forces recruitment scheme will be eligible for gallantry awards.

The announcement comes in the backdrop of violent protests against the new policy.

"Agniveers will be eligible for gallantry awards”, Lieutenant General Anil Puri, Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs said at a presser on Tuesday.

The Agnipath scheme was approved by the cabinet on Jue 14. Under this scheme, Agniveers between the ages of 17 and a half and 21 will be recruited for a four-year term. At the end of four years, 25 per cent of them will be absorbed full-time in the armed forces. The rest will be given a one-time Seva Nidhi.

Many state governments and PSUs have announced employment guarantees to Agniveers who are not absorbed by the Army, IAF and Navy at the end of their four-year training.

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Giving a one-time waiver the government relaxed the upper age limit to 23 for this year’s recruitment.