<p>Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday met the three service chiefs amid escalating protests against the 'Agnipath' military recruitment scheme in several parts of the country.</p>.<p>It was Singh's second meeting with the chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force for the second straight day on the issue.</p>.<p>There was no official comment on the meeting.</p>.<p>It is learnt that the focus of the deliberations was on pacifying the protesters.</p>.<p>As the protests intensified in various parts of the country, the defence minister on Saturday approved a proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the jobs in various organisations under the ministry for recruits under the 'Agnipath' scheme if they meet the requisite eligibility criteria.</p>.<p>The Home Ministry also announced 10 per cent reservations for 'Agniveers' in Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles following completion of their four-year tenure under the new recruitment scheme.</p>.<p>The Indian Air Force on Sunday came out with details of the new scheme. The Indian Navy and the Army are expected to issue similar details soon.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/agnipath-scheme-rolled-out-after-wide-ranging-consultations-rajnath-singh-1119190.html" target="_blank">Agnipath rolled out after many consultations: Rajnath</a></strong></p>.<p>The three services are planning to deploy the first batches of recruits under the new scheme both in operational and non-operational roles by June next year, senior military officials said.</p>.<p>In an attempt to pacify the protesters, the government on Thursday night increased the upper age limit for recruitment under the 'Agnipath' scheme to 23 years from 21 for the year 2022.</p>.<p>Unveiling the scheme on Tuesday, the government said youths between the ages of 17 and-a-half and 21 years would be inducted for a four-year tenure while 25 per cent of them will be subsequently inducted for regular service.</p>.<p>The youths to be recruited under the new scheme would be called 'Agniveer'. A major objective of the scheme is to bring down the average age of military personnel and cut ballooning salary and pension bills.</p>.<p>The announcement of the new scheme came in the backdrop of recruitments into the military remaining stalled over the coronavirus pandemic for over two years.</p>.<p>The Army recruits 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers annually. However, the recruitment could not take place for the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday met the three service chiefs amid escalating protests against the 'Agnipath' military recruitment scheme in several parts of the country.</p>.<p>It was Singh's second meeting with the chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force for the second straight day on the issue.</p>.<p>There was no official comment on the meeting.</p>.<p>It is learnt that the focus of the deliberations was on pacifying the protesters.</p>.<p>As the protests intensified in various parts of the country, the defence minister on Saturday approved a proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the jobs in various organisations under the ministry for recruits under the 'Agnipath' scheme if they meet the requisite eligibility criteria.</p>.<p>The Home Ministry also announced 10 per cent reservations for 'Agniveers' in Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles following completion of their four-year tenure under the new recruitment scheme.</p>.<p>The Indian Air Force on Sunday came out with details of the new scheme. The Indian Navy and the Army are expected to issue similar details soon.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/agnipath-scheme-rolled-out-after-wide-ranging-consultations-rajnath-singh-1119190.html" target="_blank">Agnipath rolled out after many consultations: Rajnath</a></strong></p>.<p>The three services are planning to deploy the first batches of recruits under the new scheme both in operational and non-operational roles by June next year, senior military officials said.</p>.<p>In an attempt to pacify the protesters, the government on Thursday night increased the upper age limit for recruitment under the 'Agnipath' scheme to 23 years from 21 for the year 2022.</p>.<p>Unveiling the scheme on Tuesday, the government said youths between the ages of 17 and-a-half and 21 years would be inducted for a four-year tenure while 25 per cent of them will be subsequently inducted for regular service.</p>.<p>The youths to be recruited under the new scheme would be called 'Agniveer'. A major objective of the scheme is to bring down the average age of military personnel and cut ballooning salary and pension bills.</p>.<p>The announcement of the new scheme came in the backdrop of recruitments into the military remaining stalled over the coronavirus pandemic for over two years.</p>.<p>The Army recruits 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers annually. However, the recruitment could not take place for the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>