IGNOU Will Start 3-Year Skill Based BA Degree Course for “Agniveers”

The Indira Gandhi National Open University will launch a skill-based bachelor’s degree program for the “Agnipath” Scheme beneficiaries called Agniveers. This program will be BA-level degree courses for the enhancement of their skills and related knowledge to serve the defense forces.

The ministry of education has recently announced the launch of a skill-based BA degree course for the young and dynamic aspirants of the “Agnipath Scheme.” They will be called Agniveers. The recruitment will be for four years of tenure through millions of students who will be recruited in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The University Grants Commission has passed this scheme for the education at bachelor’s degree level.

The program will describe and recognize various types of defense training received by the young enthusiasts to serve the country through their valor and skills. During their defense establishments, appropriate training will be provided by the defense training centers and these things will be taught in this bachelor’s degree program BA. 

Navy, Air Force, and Army are planning to sign an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for the fair implementation of the course. The course has been already designed by the Indira Gandhi National Open University and the same is aligned with the norms of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and National Credit Framework (NCF), NSQF (National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) as mandated under the National Education Policy of 2020.

This program requires at least 50% credit for the graduate degree that should be achieved from various types of technical and non-technical training while the remaining will come from some other courses and subjects like Economics, English, Political Science, Mathematics, Public Administration, Tourism, Vocational Studies, Jyotish and Agriculture, etc. The ability enhancement skills will be also provided to the students in English and Environmental studies.

This BA degree course has multiple existing points for the convenience of the candidates as per the rules:

• Students who exist from the program after the successful completion of the first year will be given a UG certificate.
• Candidates, who have completed at least 2 years of the program and exit from the course, will be provided a UG diploma.
• Students who have cleared all three years with all the mandatory subjects will be awarded a bachelor’s degree.

Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar; chairman of the University Grants Commission said that IGNOU and UGC are working together for providing complete recognition to the course made for the Agniveers based on their skills achieved for the defense training. He further said that after the successful implementation of the digital university, Agniveers will get the appropriate opportunity to do various types of courses in various emerging areas that will make them future-ready.

The complete framework of the course has been completely recognized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and NCVET (National Council for Vocational Educational and Training. The awarding of the final degree or diploma will be done by the university. This degree will be valid in the country and abroad for various types of job opportunities and educational purposes for these eligible candidates.

UGC chairman Jagadesh Kumar said that the University Grants Commission is going to plan how we can map the skill training achieved by these Agniveers to prepare them for various defense jobs and other paramilitary forces.