The heads of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have announced that they have set aside posts and made exemption rules for former Agniveers, in line with the Home Ministry’s directive.
The Home Ministry reiterated a 10% reservation for vacancies within CAPF for ex-Agniveers. This comes amid the controversy over the Agnipath recruitment scheme, with the opposition and some BJP allies questioning the fate of the 75% of Agniveers who are not retained after their four-year tenure.
Exemptions, quotas for Agniveers
On Thursday, the chiefs of several central forces announced that they had made preparations to accommodate ex-Agniveers into their fold, stating that the forces would benefit by getting trained and disciplined manpower.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Director General Nina Singh said on Thursday: “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-Agniveer.”
Singh said that the CISF will reserve 10 per cent of jobs for ex-Agniveers in all future constable appointments. She further added, “In physical tests also, they will be given exemption along with the relaxation on the age. In the first year, the age relaxation is for five years and in the subsequent year, the age relaxation will be three years.”
Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Nitin Agrawal also stated that the BSF will reserve 10 per cent of jobs for former Agniveers, and this is “very good” for them. “We are getting ready soldiers, nothing can be better than that. All forces will benefit from it. Ex Agniveers will get 10 per cent reservation in the recruitment.”
The chiefs of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Railway Police Force (RPF) also made similar announcements of quotas for ex-Agniveers, saying the move will “give new strength, energy and boost the morale of the force”.
The SSB also announced that the first batch of Agniveers inducted into the force will be given five years’ age relaxation. They will not be required to undergo any physical efficiency test.
Government’s Directive
Thursday’s announcement by CAPF chiefs is in line with what the Modi Sarkar had promised in December last year. Then Minister of State Nityanand Rai had said that the government was creating a new category of Ex-Agniveer in the recruitment to the post of constable in Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles (CAPFs and AR) with provisions.
“The provisions created in recruiting ex-Agniveer to the post of Constable (General Duty)/ Rifleman include reservation of 10 per cent of vacancies for them and three years relaxation in the prescribed upper age limit,” MoS Home Nityanand Rai had said. He had also announced that they would be exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
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