Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Friday said the government's decision to raise the upper age limit to 23 years from 21 under the 'Agnipath' scheme for the current year will provide oppourtunity to youths who were training to join the force.
In a statement, the Army general said it will provide an opportunity to the youths who were preparing to join the force but couldn't do so in the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pande said the decision of the government has been received by the Army to grant a one-time waiver in the age. He added that the recruitment process will be announced shortly.
The Chief of Army Staff also called upon the youth to avail the opportunity to join the Indian Army as 'Agniveers'.
"The decision of the government has been received to grant a one-time waiver, increasing the entry age of recruitment to 23 years, for the recruitment cycle of 2022," the Army Chief said in a statement.
"This decision will provide an opportunity for many of our young, energetic and patriotic youth who, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, were preparing to join the recruitment rallies, which couldn't be completed in the last two years due to Covid restrictions," he said.
"The schedule of the recruitment process will be announced shortly. We call upon our youth to avail this opportunity for joining the Indian Army as Agniveers," Pande said.