The Prime Minister of India recently launched a new scheme known as Agnipath that seeks to revolutionise recruitment of military personnel by recruiting young and talented people who will be required to serve in the military forces for four years before they are discharged; this plan will ensure that the armed forces are replenished with fresh personnel with little pension burdens(Patil & Mishra, 2023). This change aims to build a new and youthful image of the armed forces and consider the availability of resources. Since the issue of military performance plays a vital role in modern international relations, studying enlistment practices in the context of globalisation becomes relevant. A closer look at India’s approach and comparing it with what the U.S., Russia, China, France, and Israel have done regarding management can enhance Agnipath. Thus, the paper aims to systematically analyse these international models based on voluntary recruitment and conscription models to design strategies to improve India’s defense capabilities.
Comparative Analysis of Conscription vs. Voluntary Enrollment
India
The current model of military enrollment in India largely relies on voluntary enlistment, a policy that has been in practice since independence in 1947. The requirement of the Indian Army being a voluntary force has its basis in the democratic politics of the country, and it also wants to create a professional army based on commitment and not coercion (Wilkinson, 2015). India, in particular, has never imposed conscription, even during times of heightened security threats, but relies on its large population to maintain strong armed forces. According to the Global Firepower Index, the volunteer army of India, as of 2024, is one of the largest in the world, with over 1.4 million active members (Global Firepower, 2024c). This model has enabled the army to get people willing to work with much motivation, resulting in high discipline. According to SIPRI, dated 2023, the Indian military budget is close to 2.5% of the Indian Gross Domestic Product, of which the lion’s share goes to personnel expenses (Stockholm International & Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2024). Even though conscription was not in use, it facilitated low overhead costs in administration and training; however, this also presents complications for recruitment at a time of increasing rivalry with the private sector in a rapidly developing economy.
United States
The United States has been an all-volunteer force model since the decision to end the draft in 1973. This approach involves using recruitment techniques that provide incentives such as good wages, scholarships, and promotions for enlistment. The perception of the military is positive, and people see the military as an opportunity for growth and improvement. In FY 2022, the United States Department of Defense budget for personnel includes $55 billion for Military Personnel (recruitment and training) (U. S. Government Accountability Office, 2024). Moreover, United States grants educational privileges including the GI Bill which provides for the college education of the veterans (Wenger & Ward, 2022). Further, it includes provisions for skill enhancement initiatives that support military service as a worthwhile career choice besides offering appropriate medical cover. Applying the similar education incentives, India’s newly launched Agnipath scheme could enhance its young recruitment and tenure retention programs.
Russia
The military services of Russia use the system of conscription and, at the same time, rely on contract soldiers. This approach seeks to avoid shortages of workforce while at the same time avoiding having entirely professional soldiers. Currently, even though the Russian Federation Defense Force has a strength of 1.3 million, more than 300 thousand are conscripts who serve a one-year conscription (Global Firepower, 2024e; Reuters, 2023). Moreover, Russian government provides welfare services that include housing units as well as housing loans to its military men (Vasilyeva et al., 2024). To improve the scheme, India can offer housing facilities like accommodation to the recruits to improve their standards of living, which will boost retention and morale.
China
China’s military depends mainly on conscripts but also recruits volunteers from rural areas and has a strength of 2 million provided by the Global Firepower Index.(Global Firepower, 2024a). In this manner, the system guarantees a continuing stream of soldiers and helps incorporate the nation. However, it faces difficulties transforming and upgrading a conscripted force in terms of technology, which in many cases results in spending more, as defense budgets were estimated at $471 billion in recent years (Fravel et al., 2024). China lays special stress upon Physical Fitness and Martial Art which develops physically mighty and agile personnel in armed forces (Junior, 2023). India can ensure that such intensive physical training programmes fall under the Agnipath scheme so as to enhance the fitness levels and readiness of the defence recruits.
France
France changed from conscription to a professionalised army in the year 2001. This shift was largely due to the need for greater operational effectiveness and flexibility (Fize & Louis-Sidois, 2020). Though it has been expending much more cash in the first stages, it compensated in the following period, restructuring the force according to strategic requirements with nearly 203 thousand active members (Global Firepower, 2024b). Moreover, France offers professional development education in technical aspects and language for enhancing military performance in their operations in different countries (Emilyo, 2024). The Agnipath scheme has been devised on similar lines to help India fetch better technical talent and language training to be incorporated into a range of operations.
Israel
Israel retains compulsory military service for both genders, with conscripts building strong reserve forces. This model keeps a high level of national readiness by having 169500 active members and sound reserves (Global Firepower, 2024d). While the societal aspect creates statutory harmony and civil-military relations, there are fiscal consequences; defense outlays equal about 5.3% of GDP (Statista, 2023). The Israeli efficient reserve method enables rapid call up and keeps the readiness at national level high (Meiser et al., 2021). Thus, the organisation of a similarly managed reserve force with enhanced structural efficiency would serve this purpose in India as well.
Strategic Considerations for India
The decision on conscription for the Indian army is also found in a balance of cost and benefits analysis. Of course, conscription, which could supply a regular flow of personnel, is, in effect, costly economically. To make it even more bureaucratic, setting up a nationwide draft would demand much of the administration, training, and maintenance in the long run, which cannot be funded on top of other goals in development and innovation, such as advancing technologies (Kapur, 2021). The societal change may have included nationalism but came with risks of public protests given India’s pluralistic nature and culture of individualism. Conscription might not serve India’s economic interests because it can destabilise labor forces, taking young persons from thriving industries. Moreover, handling the conscription army over the geographical spread of India would be arduous.
Structural Differences in Armed Forces
Thus, the organisational structure and tasks of the Indian Army differ from those of the armed forces of the United States, Russia, China, France, and Israel, mainly in terms of strategic orientation and the use of technology. According to recent statistics, India occupies one of the top positions in force readiness and personnel, with a substantial number of paramilitary forces in addition to the regular army (Global Firepower, 2024c). However, technological integration is still considerably lower than the automation and cyber warfare capabilities of the United States and China (Stockholm International & Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2024), Reserves serve different purposes in these nations; Israel has a highly organised reserve force for quick mobilisation, while the U.S. has both active and reserve forces for long-rage USA. The concept of reserve force is well practiced in India, but the extent of integration depicted in these models is not great.
Strategic Analysis and Policy Recommendations for India
By analysing the military enlistment activities undertaken by other global countries, the Indian government can optimise the voluntary enlistment process to strengthen its military capabilities and outcomes. Strengths of the Agnipath scheme include the production and employment of skilled human capital and the integration of military services with civilian institutions. In contrast, weaknesses include future employee retention and training issues (Patil & Mishra, 2023). There are possibilities to train technology and develop more varied opportunities for recruits, but the risks include other employment markets and the issue of finances. Recommendations focus on enhancing voluntary recruitment through education rewards, skills, and career growth to increase commitment from candidates. Training programs should encompass contemporary warfare practices and tools and hone trainees in conventional and cyber environments. Morale preservation measures should enhance living standards and mental health and offer well-developed family care benefits. The need to blend Indian traditions with innovations calls for practices such as reserve management targeted reserve and flexible deployment models.
The reactions from the general public and prospective candidates on the new Agnipath recruitment model have been mixed since its introduction. In the first few phases of applications, the youth showed a lot of interest and several requests were received which means that this scheme is highly demanded among the youth and they want to grab this chance It has its own set of problems as well. Lack of pension benefits and availability of only short term employment caused protests in several states (Delhi Policy Group, 2022). The current occupants of the scheme have demonstrated enthusiasm and a sense of nationalism but questions remain as to their future susceptibility to unemployment. Overall, it has been claimed that the training infrastructure has not been challenged by the new intake but such claims are yet to be proven in terms of the impact on operational effectiveness, formation cohesiveness and long-term military values. Progressing changes are being made to seek response to these concerns and to also enhance the efficiency of the scheme.
The current study also emphasises the importance of continuing the voluntary military model for India and reformative policies based on IHR practices. This paper’s findings indicate that though conscription delivers immediate workforce, the logistics and costs disadvantage India’s variety. The volunteer force is better, as it contributes to better flexibility and better technology adoption. In the future, precise research and policy-making are needed to improve India’s defense capabilities to respond to current and potential threats while preserving the country’s democratic system and economic growth.
