Fact Check: Has Agnipath Scheme Been Relaunched as 'Sainik Saman Scheme'? Govt Dismisses Fake WhatsApp Message

New Delhi, June 16: The government on Sunday dismissed reports that the Agnipath Scheme has been relaunched, terming the social media message fake and clarifying no such decision to this effect was taken.

A #fake WhatsApp message claims that the Agnipath Scheme has been re-launched as 'Sainik Saman Scheme' after review with several changes including duty period being extended to 7 years, 60% permanent staff & increased income#PIBFactCheck

✔️GOI has taken no such decision pic.twitter.com/1a3zmuVjfk

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 16, 2024

"A #fake WhatsApp message claims that the Agnipath Scheme has been re-launched as 'Sainik Saman Scheme' after review with several changes including duty period being extended to 7 years, 60 per cent permanent staff & increased income... GOI has taken no such decision," the Press Information Bureau clarified on its X handle.

The fake message doing rounds contained a number of spelling mistakes, making it appear questionable. The opposition, which has been critical of the Agnipath Scheme from the outset, aggressively questioned its credibility during the Lok Sabha polls campaign with the Congress 'promising' to do away with the scheme if voted to power at the Centre.

The Agnipath Scheme is a "tour of duty style" scheme that was implemented in September 2022 for the recruitment of soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of the armed forces only for a four-year period.

Personnel recruited under this system would be called Agniveers.

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