BrahMos Aerospace has become the first company in India to announce reservations for Agniveers under the Agnipath Scheme. This joint venture, formed between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia, was established in 1998 and is headquartered in New Delhi. India holds a 70 per cent stake in the company.
Under the new policy, BrahMos Aerospace will reserve at least 15 per cent of technical and general vacancies for Agniveers. Additionally, 50 per cent of administrative and security roles, including outsourced functions, will be allocated to Agniveers. The company will also request its industry partners to allocate 15 per cent of their workforce to Agniveers for positions that meet the requirements of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL). This reservation extends to contractual jobs as well, capped at 15 per cent.
Dr Sanjeev Kumar Joshi, Deputy CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, stated, “Agniveers, after four years of service in the armed forces, will develop a strong sense of discipline and nationalism, as well as expertise in their respective fields. This skill set is precisely what we need to tailor them to the requirements of BAPL. The Agnipath scheme acts as an effective filter, ensuring that individuals have the necessary skills to join our workforce.”
This initiative enhances opportunities for Agniveers and aims to facilitate their transition into civilian careers. Dr Joshi further underscored the importance of having a dedicated and professional workforce in key roles, noting that the scheme can fulfil this need. He explained, “Following the Agnipath scheme, we can ensure this by reserving contracts for companies that meet the 50 per cent Agniveer criteria. I believe this aspect of the government’s Agnipath initiative will be beneficial for other corporate entities and defense industries as well.”
The Agniveer Scheme was launched by the Indian Government in June 2022 to develop a youthful and dynamic military force. This initiative allows young Indians aged between 17.5 and 21 years to be enrolled for a duration of four years.
After this period, 25 per cent of Agniveers are anticipated to be retained in the regular cadre based on performance, organisational needs, and other criteria. Those who exit after four years are given preference for various Government positions, including roles in police forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and other related services.
