Ex-Agniveers to get reservations, age relaxations, CAPF announces change in recruitment rules

New Delhi: The Union government on Thursday announced reservation of 10 per cent vacancies for Agniveers in Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles, once the young troopers retire from the armed forces after four years of service.

The chiefs of five para-military services said recruitment rules had been amended to facilitate the entry of Agniveers in 10 per cent posts of constables. The Agniveers will also enjoy the benefits of age relaxation and exemption from physical tests.

The heads of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB), Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Border Security Force (BSF) released video statements to make the announcement. The same rule will be applicable to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) too.

Agniveers are a new category of soldiers recruited by the army, navy and air force under a controversial scheme, as per which 75 per cent of the Agniveers will retire after four years of service without any pension benefits while the rest will be absorbed as regular troops.

CISF director general Neena Singh said ex-Agiveers would be given relaxation in the physical efficiency test and the force would ensure they get maximum benefits of these reservations. “There is also relaxation in age. A five year relaxation in age for the first batch and three years of age relaxation afterwards,” she said.

Asked why ex-Agniveers are being exempted from the physical test, an official said the Agniveers have already been tested by the Army. "They just need a physically fit certificate. This will obviate the elaborate process of conducting a physical test by the recruiting force, saving time and expenses,” he added.

RPF director general Manoj Yadava said the first batch of Agniveers would be discharged from the armed forces either in December 2026 or January 2027.

“This is a welcome step for the force to recruit Ex-Agniveers as they are Army trained and have already served in the three services. They will bring dedication and discipline from day one,” said CRPF chief Anish Dayal Singh.

In June 2022, the Union government launched the contentious employment programme for the armed forces after troop recruitment was suspended for nearly three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, creating a shortage in the number of soldiers, sailors and airmen.

As protests mounted against the short-term recruitment scheme, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had announced 10 per cent reservation in central paramilitary forces.