Amid violent protests against the Centre’s new Agnipath military recruitment scheme, Indian Navy Chief of Personnel Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi  said that the ‘Agniveers’ can directly get into the Merchant Navy after serving four years in the armed forces.

“As per DG shipping order for Agniveers, after 4 years of training, they can directly get into Merchant Navy,” ANI quoted Vice Admiral Tripathi as saying.

The Navy chief further informed that the recruitment process under the new Agnipath scheme will start on Wednesday, June 22 and aspirants will be able to do the registration from July 1.

“Our recruitment calendar was decided for June 25, but it will start tomorrow- June 22. Online registration to start from July 1 onwards,” Vice Admiral Tripathi said.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Anil Puri, additional secretary, Department of Military Affairs has categorically denied that old-timers of the Army will be sent to the Agniveer scheme calling it fake information.

“This is a matter of the security of our nation. Someone spread the rumour that old-timers of the Army will be sent to the Agniveer scheme. This is proven to be fake information,” said Lt Gen Anil Puri.

Earlier today, the Department of Military Affairs clarified that there is no change in the recruitment process and the regimental process will be unchanged.

This comes amidst protests that erupted in several states after the centre unveiled the Agnipath scheme last Tuesday.

Under the scheme, people between 17.5 and 21 years will be recruited into the armed forces for a four-year period, followed by compulsory retirement for most without gratuity and pension benefits.

Later, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022.