In a significant policy move aimed at securing post-service career opportunities for personnel recruited under the Agnipath scheme, the Government of India has announced a 50% reservation specifically for retired Agniveers in the recruitment process for Constable (General Duty) positions in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Rifleman posts in the Assam Rifles.
This announcement was made during a written response by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, in the Lok Sabha. The new policy is designed to create a structured transition for Agniveers moving from military service into careers within India’s internal security forces.
Under the newly established provisions, half of all vacancies for the roles of Constable (GD) in the CAPFs and Rifleman in the Assam Rifles are now reserved for eligible retired Agniveers. This measure is expected to significantly improve employment prospects for these individuals once they complete their four-year term in the Armed Forces.
Alongside the reservation, the government has also approved an extension in the upper age limit for Ex-Agniveers. Eligible candidates will benefit from a three-year relaxation beyond the standard maximum age limit. For the inaugural batch recruited under the Agnipath scheme, an additional age relaxation of five years has been put in place, recognizing their unique circumstances.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also introduced significant concessions in the recruitment procedure. Retired Agniveers will be exempt from the Physical Standards Test (PST), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), and the written examination when applying for Constable (GD) and Rifleman positions in the CAPFs and Assam Rifles. These exemptions acknowledge the military training, discipline, and operational experience acquired during their service in the Armed Forces.
To ensure a seamless transition for Agniveers into civilian and security sector roles, a dedicated Ex-Agniveer Wing has been established by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This wing will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating rehabilitation and employment opportunities for Ex-Agniveers across various organisations under the Ministry.
It is important to note that the first batch of Agniveers has yet to complete its four-year term under the Agnipath scheme. Consequently, recruitment under these new provisions will begin once this group becomes eligible for discharge and is ready to transition into civilian employment.
This recent announcement further strengthens the government’s commitment to creating meaningful career opportunities for Agniveers post-military service. Since launching the Agnipath scheme in 2022, a range of initiatives have been introduced to assist in the integration of Ex-Agniveers into central police forces, state police organisations, public sector undertakings, and the private sector.
With the introduction of a dedicated Ex-Agniveer recruitment category, substantial reservations, age relaxations, and exemptions from various stages of the recruitment process, the government aims to ensure that trained military personnel can continue to contribute to national security while establishing stable careers in the country’s internal security framework after their service in the Armed Forces.
