Direct Entry in JCO Agniveer cadre in Indian Army

With advancement of technology and need of the era, several changes have been made in the Indian Armed Forces. Manpower planning and induction in various cadre and ranks have also been changed.

After introduction of SSC Offier cadre, enrolment in Agniveer has been introduced and now the Indian Army has planned to offer the Indian youth to participate in junior / middle level leadership activities in Indian Army by inducting them into Agniveer JCO Cadre. Young Graduates with less than 25 years of age will be inducted in Indian Army for 4 years through SSC/UPSC Gp B Selection exam and physical tests as applicable for induction the Army. Mainly the Agniveer JCOs will be inducted in technical roles.

The Agniveer JCOs after completion of 4 years of terms of engagement will be discharged compulsorily. However, 25% of the Agniveer JCOs will be selected for further enrolment in regular Nb Sub cadre. These JCOs will have promotion and retirement as applicable to regular JCOs of Army.

You may read this in Hindi :-

Among the JCOs shifted from Agniveer JCO cadre to regular cadre , after serving of 5 years will be given an opportunity to become officer through SSB in SCO/PC (SL) who will be promoted upto the rank of Col.

Howver, the proposal has been circulated to all concerned to produce the requirement for the concerned Corps / Regiment/Arms accordingly and it is expected that the induction / recruitment will be started by the beginning of 2024.

Lets have a look through the official notes and circulars with detailed selection process and other aspects as originated by IHQ of MoD (Army).

B/10064/Agniveer/MP-3 (E-IV) Jul 2023

INTEGRATED HEADQUATERS OF MoD (ARMY)
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S BRANCH MP-3

RECT OF DIRECT ENTRY (DE) AGNIVEER JCOs/ EQUIVALENT IN THE ARMED FORCES

1. On dirn of DMA a proposal is being exam by AGs Br for rect of DE Agniveer JCO in the IA. This model would be in conformity to existing DE entries like RT and catering JCOs. Also, the existing Recruitment Rules of Assam Rifles has such DE JCOs / equivalent who are recruited in identified streams / verticals (B&R, E&M,Nurse, Translator in the case of Assam Rifles). IA can iden specific addl streams where such DE JCOs will infuse desired level of technical threshold & youth, Design & Planning JCO in Corps of Engrs, JE(Sys), JE (NE) in the Cd^–rps of Signals, RPA Stream in Army Avn, are some of the streams being considered. Thesuggested model and identified terms and conditions are at Appendix.The benefit of the suggested model towards fulfilling officer deficiency in support cadre if selected for the same, would accrue 10 years from implementation, by virtue of the established timeline of Agniveer (JCO) transiting into officer cadre.

2. All Line Dtes are requested to analyse the proposal and fwd the iden Verticals within their respective Arms/Service which are suited to theentry by 10 Aug 23.

Col (MP-3)

1. Depiction of Model

Gp B SSC (Equivalent ) Exam –intake of Graduates as Agniveer JCO

ToE of 4 Yrs incl (9 months trg) (Continuous , transparent & pragmatic level)

Clean break – All Agniveer JCOs will be discharged on completion of 4 years and 25% Agniveer JCOs will be enrolled as Nb Sub in Regular cadre.

After 5 Years of service in regular cadre three SSB attempts will be offered during 6^th, 7^th and 8^th Year.

These JCOs will be promoted to Sub & Sub maj as per norms and superannuated as per ToE of JCOs of regular cadre.

SSB Qualified and selected candidates will be commissioned in Officer Rank of Lt (supporting cadre). The will be promoted upto Col Rank as per promotion policy of officer cadre.

Selection Procedure. Entry of graduates in age bracket 21 to 27 yrs through Gp B SSC exam or equivalent exam, either to be conducted under the aegis of UPSC or Rtg Dte.

Terms & Conditions.

(a) Agniveer JCOs. Successful candidates will be enrolled as Agniveer JCOs for a period of engagement of four years including training of nine months.

(b) Regular cadre : Based on continuous, pragmatic and transparent assessment, up to 25% of Agniveer JCO will be selected for enrolment in the regular cadre as Nb Sub and will serve in the JCO cadre for a mandatory period of 5 yrs in the 6^th, 7^th & 8^th year they will be allowed 3 x SSB attempts. Those who will qualify will be commissioned in the rank of Lt in SCO cadre and those who do not qualify will continue to serve as JCOs in regular cadre.

(c) Officer Cadre. On qualifying SSB. they will be commissioned in
the rank of Lt and will be detailed to attend YOs course and three months orientation training. Officers through the entry will be employed in to SCOs & PC (SL) cadre, wherein, they will be promoted up to the rank of Col to tenant selected billets and will form part of sp cadre. Retirement age will be as per regular officers.

(d) Regular JCO Cadre. While serving in the JCO cadre their terms and conditions will be as existing and those who do not qualify in all three SSB attempts or all unwilling. will continue in JCO rank till retirement as per existing terms & conditons.

(e) Employment. Selected verticals/ streams as identified in Tech Arms and Services in Phase I, following review, the entry may be expanded into other Arms/ Services.