New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has received 94,281 applications under the Agnipath recruitment scheme within four days of the registration process kicking off.
After the scheme was unveiled on June 14, violent protests rocked several states for nearly a week and several opposition parties, including the Congress party, have been demanding its rollback.
Defence Ministry spokesperson, A Bharat Bhushan Babu, said on Twitter on Monday, “A total of 94,281 Agniveer Vayu aspirants have registered till 10.30 am (Monday). Registration closes on July 5.” Till Sunday, the IAF had received 56,960 applications under the scheme.
A slew of placatory steps have been announced to quell the protests, like preference for Agniveers in Central paramilitary forces and defence public sector undertakings upon the end of their four-year tenure.
Many BJP-ruled states also declared Agniveers will be accorded priority in induction into the state police forces.
The armed forces have, however, made it clear those who had indulged in violent protests and arson against the new recruitment scheme will not be inducted.
