Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme) Defence Awareness and Armed Forces Knowledge Syllabus

Defence Awareness and Armed Forces Knowledge syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Defence Awareness and Armed Forces Knowledge in Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Indian Armed Forces Structure

   3 topics

   • Indian Army organisation
     • Commands, corps and regiments
     • Ranks and insignia of the Army
   • Indian Navy organisation
     • Naval commands and fleets
     • Ranks of the Navy
   • Indian Air Force organisation
     • Air commands
     • Ranks of the Air Force
2. 2

   Agnipath Scheme Fundamentals

   4 topics

   • Objectives and overview of the scheme
   • Eligibility and four-year service term
     • Age, education and medical criteria
     • Enrolment as Agniveer
   • Pay, allowances and Seva Nidhi package
   • Retention, exit and post-service opportunities
3. 3

   Weapons, Equipment and Operations

   4 topics

   • Major weapons and platforms of the forces
   • Indian missiles and defence programmes
   • Important wars and military operations of India
   • Joint exercises and peacekeeping missions
4. 4

   National Security and Defence Organisations

   4 topics

   • Ministry of Defence and key institutions
   • DRDO, HAL and defence PSUs
   • Gallantry awards and decorations
     • Param Vir Chakra and wartime awards
     • Peacetime gallantry awards
   • Paramilitary and central armed police forces

Defence Awareness and Armed Forces Knowledge flashcards for Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme)

19 of 51 cards from the Defence Awareness and Armed Forces Knowledge deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the Agnipath Scheme and what are its enrolled soldiers called?

   Agnipath is a 2022 tour-of-duty recruitment scheme for the Indian Armed Forces enrolling youth for a four-year term; the recruits are called Agniveers.

2. When was the Agnipath Scheme announced and when did it come into effect?

   It was announced on 14 June 2022 and implemented for recruitment that began later in 2022.

3. State the main objectives of the Agnipath Scheme.

   To create a younger, fitter, more diverse profile of the armed forces; reduce the average age of personnel (from about 32 to around 26); infuse new technical skills; and provide a disciplined, skilled youth to society after service.

4. What is the age eligibility for enrolment as an Agniveer?

   Candidates must be between 17.5 and 21 years of age (a one-time upper-age relaxation to 23 years was given for the first recruitment cycle in 2022).

5. What is the educational qualification typically required for Agniveer (General Duty) entry?

   Class 10 (Matriculation) pass for General Duty, with higher qualifications such as Class 12 required for technical and clerical/store-keeper trades.

6. How long is the engagement term of an Agniveer and what happens at its end?

   The term is four years (including training); at the end, up to 25% of each batch may be selected for permanent enrolment in the regular cadre, while the rest are released.

7. What proportion of Agniveers can be retained in the regular armed forces after four years?

   Up to 25% of each Agniveer batch may be selected, on merit, for permanent enrolment for a full term.

8. What is the Seva Nidhi package under the Agnipath Scheme?

   It is a lump-sum exit benefit: the Agniveer contributes 30% of monthly salary to a Seva Nidhi fund, the government matches it, and on exit after four years the Agniveer receives about Rs 11.71 lakh (including interest), which is tax-free.

9. What is the monthly salary progression of an Agniveer over the four years?

   It starts at about Rs 30,000 in the first year and rises to roughly Rs 40,000 by the fourth year (in-hand being lower after the 30% Seva Nidhi contribution).

10. Are Agniveers entitled to pension or gratuity after the four-year term?

    No. Agniveers who are not retained do not get pension or gratuity; they receive the lump-sum Seva Nidhi package and a skill certificate instead.

11. What life-insurance (non-contributory) cover is provided to an Agniveer during service?

    A non-contributory life insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh for the duration of the four-year engagement.

12. What compensation is paid for death of an Agniveer in the line of duty?

    Around Rs 1 crore including insurance, ex-gratia, Seva Nidhi and pay for the unserved period, paid to the next of kin.

13. Name three post-service opportunities or reservations offered to released Agniveers ('Agniveer veterans').

    Reservation in CAPFs/Assam Rifles and many state police forces (10%), priority in defence PSUs and the merchant navy, skill certificates and bank-loan facilities for entrepreneurship.

14. What is the supreme command structure head of the Indian Armed Forces, and who is the operational head of each service?

    The President of India is the Supreme Commander; each service is operationally headed by its Chief of Staff — Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) and Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).

15. What is the role of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) created in 2019?

    The CDS is the single-point military adviser to the government, heads the Department of Military Affairs, and is tasked with promoting jointness and integration among the three services. India's first CDS was General Bipin Rawat.

16. List the operational commands of the Indian Army by their general regional structure.

    The Army has seven commands: Northern, Western, South Western, Southern, Central, Eastern, and the training Army Training Command (ARTRAC).

17. What is the highest rank in the Indian Army and which officers have held it?

    Field Marshal (a ceremonial five-star rank); held by Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa.

18. Arrange the Indian Army commissioned officer ranks from Lieutenant up to General.

    Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier, Major General, Lieutenant General, General.

19. What is a regiment in the Indian Army and name three famous infantry regiments.

    A regiment is the basic infantry organisational and traditional unit. Examples: the Gorkha Rifles, the Sikh Regiment, the Rajput Regiment, the Maratha Light Infantry, and the Parachute Regiment.

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