The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday informed Parliament that retired Agniveers will be entitled to 50% reservation in recruitment to the posts of Constable (General Duty) and Rifles in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles, adding that they will be exempted from the written test, Physical Standards Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
On March 16, 2023, the government notified that 10% of vacancies would be reserved for ex-members, with only exemption from physical examinations. Over the past year, various forces like the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Border Security Force (BSF) have increased the reservation percentage for ex-Agniveers from 10% to 50% while proposing exemption from written and physical tests.
Responding to a question from BJP legislator Janardhan Singh Sejriwal in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the government has created a “new category of ex-Agniveers” in appointing the post of constable (general duty) in CAPFs and rifleman in Assam Rifles.
The Minister also listed several recruitment provisions for recruitment of retired Agniveers into CAPFs and Assam Rifles. “Reservation of 50% vacancies; 3 years relaxation in prescribed age limit. Further, age relaxation of 5 years after prescribed age limit will be given to candidates of the first batch of ex-Agniveers; exemption from Physical Standards Test (PST), Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and written examination,” Rai said in the written reply.
“A dedicated wing for ex-Agniveers has been created under the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate further progress of ex-Agniveers. As of now, the first batch of Agniveers is yet to complete their engagement period,” the minister added.
To be sure, the government is yet to announce how it will determine the merit of retired Agniveers applying for recruitment into the CAPFs and Assam Rifles.
The first batch of about 2,600 Agniveers, which were inducted into the Navy in November 2022, are likely to retire later this year and become eligible to join various CAPF forces.
Some state police forces, including those in Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, have also announced 20% reservation for ex-Agniveers.
The Union government in June 2022 announced the Agneepath scheme that replaces the old recruitment system to lower the age range of the armed forces, ensure a fitter Army and create a technically proficient war fighting force capable of meeting future challenges. The Agneepath scheme seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with the condition that 25% of them be retained in the regular cadre for 15 years after another round of screening.
