Over 600 youth apply for national service programme

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced on Sunday that more than 600 young people have applied to join the government's National Service Programme, which aims to recruit 1,000 personnel annually into the armed forces.

The initiative, launched on 1 January 2025, is intended to strengthen the country’s security forces and provide opportunities for school leavers, particularly those who face challenges in pursuing further education or employment.

Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office following the ratification of the Prevention of Gang Crimes and Other Dangerous Crimes Act, the President responded to questions regarding the government's strategy to prevent youth involvement in crime.

He stated that the National Service Programme is one of the government’s key efforts in this area.

“The last time I checked, more than 400 applications had been received, even without extensive promotion,” President Muizzu said.

According to the President, over 200 of the applicants are minors who submitted their applications with the consent of their parents, in accordance with regulations established by the Ministry of Defence.

He added that many of the applicants include children identified as at risk of criminal involvement or who are in vulnerable social environments.

“Parents are using this opportunity to remove their children from situations that may lead to criminal behaviour,” the President said.

After clarifying the exact number, the President said 658 youths had applied so far. They include:

The programme was first announced during the Victory Day ceremony in 2024. Participants will undergo military training, after which they may be enlisted as officers in the Maldives National Defence Force or the Maldives Police Service.

The government expects that approximately 5,000 new officers will be added to the security forces over a period of four years through the programme.

The 2025 state budget allocates MVR 400 million for the implementation of the programme, with equivalent funding planned for future years.