Has Agnipath Scheme been relaunched? Govt says fake WhatsApp message doing rounds

New Delhi: The government has refuted claims circulating on social media that the Agnipath Scheme has been relaunched, clarifying that such information is false and no decision has been made in this regard.

"A #fake WhatsApp message claims that the Agnipath Scheme has been re-launched as 'Sainik Saman Scheme' after review with several changes including duty period being extended to 7 years, 60 per cent permanent staff & increased income... GOI has taken no such decision," the Press Information Bureau clarified on its X handle.

The misleading message, which contained numerous spelling errors, raised doubts about its authenticity.

During the Lok Sabha election campaign, opposition parties, particularly the Congress, criticized the Agnipath Scheme. The Congress party had indicated it would discontinue the scheme if elected to power.

The Agnipath Scheme, initiated in September 2022, operates on a "tour of duty style," recruiting soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers for a four-year term exclusively into the armed forces' three services.

Individuals enlisted under this program are referred to as Agniveers.IANS