Modi Govt's Bold Move | 10% of Constable Posts Reserved for Ex-Agniveers in CAPF

New Delhi: The central government has announced a significant decision to reserve 10% of constable posts in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for ex-Agniveers. The announcement was made by CISF Director General Nina Singh and her BSF counterpart Nitin Agarwal. 

Major Recruitment Policy Change

"The Union Home Ministry has taken an important decision regarding the recruitment of ex-Agniveers. Accordingly, the CISF is also preparing the process of the recruitment of ex-Agniveers," stated Nina Singh, chief of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). 

She confirmed that 10% of jobs will be reserved for ex-Agniveers in all future appointments of constables.

Exemptions and Relaxations

Singh elaborated on the additional benefits for ex-Agniveers during the recruitment process. "In physical tests, they will be given exemptions along with age relaxation. In the first year, the age relaxation is five years, and in the subsequent year, it will be three years," she told DD News. This approach is expected to provide significant advantages to ex-Agniveers, while also benefiting the CISF by recruiting trained and disciplined personnel.

Agniveer Scheme

The Agniveer scheme, launched in June 2022, aims to reduce the age profile of the armed forces. It allows the recruitment of youths aged 17-and-a-half to 21 for a four-year term, with a provision to retain 25% of them for an additional 15 years. 

Despite facing criticism from opposition parties, including concerns about the future of the 75% of Agniveers not retained, the scheme continues to progress with additional support from various government agencies.

Positive Impact on Security Forces

BSF Director General Nitin Agarwal also emphasized the benefits of the policy for the Border Security Force (BSF) and other security forces.

"They got four years of experience. They are fully disciplined and trained personnel. This is very good for the BSF as we are getting trained soldiers. After short training, they will be deployed along the border," said Agarwal. He reiterated the plan to reserve 10% of vacancies for ex-Agniveers and provide similar age relaxations as outlined by the CISF.

Future Steps

Both the CISF and BSF are looking forward to the integration of ex-Agniveers into their forces, acknowledging the value of their training and discipline. 

"We are waiting for them to be deployed after giving conversion training. 10% of the total vacancies will be reserved for them," Agarwal confirmed, noting the age relaxation benefits that will be extended to successive batches of ex-Agniveers.