Delhi (India), February 27, 2023: Delhi High Court has on Monday dismissed a batch of petitions challenging the Agnipath scheme for recruitment in the armed forces. A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad ruled that the scheme was made in the national interest and to ensure that the armed forces were better equipped.
The Agnipath scheme, unveiled in June last year, allows youths between 17 and a half and 21 years of age to apply for a four-year tenure. 25 percent of those recruited would be granted regular service subsequently. After the announcement of the scheme, protests erupted in several states against it.
The court also dismissed petitions relating to the recruitment process for the armed forces under certain previous advertisements while clarifying that such candidates do not have a right to seek recruitment. The bench had reserved its verdict on the batch of pleas on December 15, last year.
The Delhi High Court’s dismissal of the batch of petitions is seen as an endorsement of the Agnipath scheme for recruitment in the armed forces.
