New Delhi: The Army has issued notification for the first phase of recruitment of ‘Agni Veers’ amid nationwide protests against the central government's short - term military recruitment scheme. Registration for the recruitment rally will start from July.

The decision was taken to hold 83 recruitment rallies across the country from mid - August to November. Women will get the opportunity and will be assigned to warships too. The training of the first batch in the Army will begin on November 21.

Online registration with the Air Force will begin on June 24. The online exam will be held from July 24. The training of the first batch will take place from December 30.

Agneepath is the only way of recruitment to the Indian Army, except for the technical cadre in the Medical Branch. The notification also says that the ‘Agni Veers’ will have a special rank.

The centre plans to deploy 45,000 ‘Agni Veers’ to the Army, Navy and Air Force in the first year. Despite strong protests, the centre has stated that it will not back out from the plan. A grant of Rs 1 crore will be granted to the families of deceased Agni Veers.

Agni Veers will also be provided with current casualty benefits, including those available to soldiers. The centre added that there will be no differentiation in terms of service.

The government also claims that the proposed wage system is better than the existing one. Some states have announced that the Agni Veers who complete four years of service will be assigned to the police force.

Additional Secretary of Defence, Lt. Govt. General Anilpuri stated that the same will be requested with other states as well. He added that the Kargil Review Committee too has requested to reduce average age of the armed forces.

Anil Puri said that the scheme would not provide employment to protesters who have destroyed public property in the ongoing violence across the country. Candidates must provide an affidavit certifying that they did not participate in the violence.