Amid controversy over the Agnipath scheme, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh  said that the government will keep reviewing the military recruitment plan on annual basis, asserting that any shortcomings and challenges will be addressed appropriately.

Describing the new model as “transformative”, Singh said that the scheme was finalised after nearly two years of extensive discussions among key stakeholders.

“Let the scheme be implemented. We will keep reviewing it every year and if we find any shortcomings or challenges, then we will try to address them. This is the commitment of our government,” the defence minister said at an event, PTI reported.

Singh further said the scheme will bring revolutionary changes in the recruitment process of the armed forces.

Unveiled on June 14, the scheme provides for the recruitment of youth between the age group of 17-and-half years to 21 in the Army, the Air Force and the Navy on a four-year contract with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years. The upper age limit has been extended to 23 years for this year.

Several parts of India witnessed violent protests against the scheme with the agitators hitting the street, torching trains and vehicles, and blocking and damaging railway tracks to express their resentment.

The Centre has been facing flak from Opposition since the scheme was unveiled with opposition leaders demanding its rollback.

Congress chief Soni Agndhi earlier said that it was unfortunate that the government has ‘ignored’ the voice of youth, and added that said her party will stand with protesting youth and work for the withdrawal of the scheme.

The chiefs of three services on Tuesday separately met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him about their plan to implement the scheme.