Career: How different is service in paramilitary forces from the Army? Complete information for Agniveers..

Under the Agnipath scheme, 'Agniveers' who complete four years of service will be granted up to 50% reservation during recruitment into Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) such as the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai recently provided this information in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. What exactly is the difference between jobs in the Army and paramilitary forces? Which offers a higher salary? Let us explore these details.

What are the Army (Indian Army) and Paramilitary Forces (CAPFs)?
Indian Army
The Indian Army operates under the Ministry of Defence. It is responsible for the country's external security and confronts the enemy during wartime. Furthermore, the government seeks the Army's assistance during natural disasters and emergencies. The Army is divided into three major branches: the Indian Army (which guards the country's land borders), the Indian Navy (which protects India's maritime boundaries), and the Indian Air Force (which secures the nation's airspace). The President is the Supreme Commander of all Indian armed forces.

Paramilitary Forces
The CAPFs are responsible for internal security, border security, anti-Naxal operations, and VIP security. They operate under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The major forces included under this category are:

BSF (Border Security Force)
CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force)
CISF (Central Industrial Security Force)
ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police)
SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal)
Assam Rifles (Administratively under the MHA; the Army plays a role in operations)

What are the roles of these forces?
The Border Security Force (BSF) is responsible for securing the borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh; it prevents infiltration and conducts border surveillance. The CRPF handles anti-Naxal operations, election duties, and counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The CISF is responsible for the security of airports, metro systems, and vital government and private installations. The ITBP is tasked with guarding the India-China border, while the SSB is responsible for securing the borders with Nepal and Bhutan. The Assam Rifles handle security in the Northeastern states and guard the border with Myanmar.

**What is the salary?**
The starting salary in the Army—at the sepoy (soldier) level—begins at approximately ₹30,000, though it can be higher depending on the posting. In addition to the basic salary, various allowances are provided. For Constables in CAPFs (Pay Level-3), the basic pay is ₹21,700; with allowances, the total monthly emoluments reach around ₹45,000. This figure can increase based on the specific posting.

**What about the pension?**
Recruits joining the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are not covered by the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Instead, the National Pension System (NPS) applies; the OPS does not apply to them.

**What benefits will Agniveers receive in CAPFs?**
Special provisions have been introduced for the recruitment of Agniveers into CAPFs and the Assam Rifles, under which up to 50% of the posts will be reserved for them. Agniveers will receive age-limit relaxations during recruitment and will benefit from their prior physical fitness and military training.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.