Agnipath scheme and modern/indigenous defence technologies & platforms (drones, missiles, naval/air systems, Mission Shakti/Divyastra)
Agnipath Scheme and India’s defence modernisation: indigenous platforms, drone warfare, missiles, and Mission Shakti/Divyastra
- The scheme recruits young men and women into the Armed Forces as Agniveers for a four-year service period and includes military training, specialised skill development, and education/career pathways after service through partnerships such as IGNOU and NIOS.
- Mission Shakti is described as a successful anti-satellite missile test conducted on 27 March 2019 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island.
- Mission Divyastra is described as a successful test on 11 March 2024 of a long-range missile carrying multiple warheads against different targets.
- DRDO is stated to have handed over Final Operational Clearance for the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system in June 2026.
What happened: Agnipath and a defence-modernisation snapshot (PIB backgrounder)
The PIB backgrounder presents two linked thrusts. First, the Agnipath Scheme recruits young men and women into the Armed Forces as Agniveers for a four-year service period, with military training and specialised skill development, plus educational and career pathways after service. Second, the backgrounder outlines a set of modern platforms and emerging defence technologies—spanning land, air, sea, and space-related capabilities—aimed at improving operational readiness and deterrence.
Background and earlier position: Kargil-era reforms and the shift toward technology-enabled warfare
UPSC framing can link Agnipath’s four-year Agniveer model and skill pathways with India’s operational shift toward technology-intensive warfare (drones, AI-enabled systems, missile and air defence, anti-satellite capability). A balanced answer can analyse how capability building, deterrence, and readiness depend on both manpower design and technology development, while noting implementation and sustainability concerns typical of defence manpower reforms.
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