Centre announces 10% reservation for 'Agniveers' in CAPFs, Assam Rifles

The MHA added that it has also decided to 'give 3 years age relaxation beyond the prescribed upper age limit to Agniveers for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles'

Amid the controversy surrounding the 'Agnipath' scheme and concerns about the future of those who are recruited after four years, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday announced reserving 10% vacancies for recruitment in the paramilitary forces and Assam Rifles for 'Agniveers'.

The announcement made on the Twitter handle of the Home Minister's Office came in the midst of widespread protests across the country against the 'Agnipath' scheme for recruitment in the military on a short-term contractual basis. Those recruited under the scheme will be called 'Agniveers'.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decides to reserve 10% vacancies for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles for Agniveers, completing four years under the Agnipath Scheme announced by the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi," the tweet said.

It added, "the MHA also decides to give 3 years age relaxation beyond the prescribed upper age limit to Agniveers for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles. Further, for the first batch of Agniveer, the age relaxation will be for five years beyond the prescribed upper age limit."

The Army, Navy and Air Force will be unveiling the process for recruitment under the new scheme very soon.