Centre Announces 50 percent Reservation for Ex-Agniveers in CAPFs, Assam Rifles Recruitment

The Central Government has announced a major employment boost for former Agniveers, informing Parliament that 50% of vacancies for Constable (General Duty) posts in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Rifleman posts in the Assam Rifles will be reserved for ex-Agniveers. The move is aimed at creating a smoother transition from military service to long-term careers in India's security forces. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) during the ongoing Parliament session, highlighting the government's efforts to provide meaningful post-service opportunities to personnel recruited under the Agnipath scheme.

Under the revised policy, former Agniveers will also receive relaxation in the upper age limit while applying for these posts. In addition, eligible candidates will be exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Physical Standard Test (PST), and the written examination, as they have already undergone extensive military training during their tenure in the armed forces.

The latest decision marks a significant expansion of benefits for Agniveers. Earlier, the government had proposed a smaller reservation quota, but the revised framework substantially increases their representation in future CAPF and Assam Rifles recruitment drives. The CAPFs—which include the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)—play a crucial role in internal security, border management, counter-insurgency operations, and disaster response. The Assam Rifles, meanwhile, is India's oldest paramilitary force and is primarily responsible for guarding the Indo-Myanmar border and maintaining security in the Northeast.

Government officials believe that former Agniveers, having received professional military training, discipline, and operational experience, will be well-equipped to take on responsibilities in these forces with minimal additional training. The move is also expected to help security agencies recruit personnel who are already accustomed to demanding field conditions.

The Agnipath recruitment scheme, introduced in 2022, allows young men and women to serve in the Army, Navy, and Air Force for a period of four years, after which only a select percentage are retained for regular service. Since its launch, concerns had been raised over employment opportunities for those exiting the armed forces after completing their tenure.

With the new reservation policy, the Centre aims to address those concerns by offering a structured career pathway into the country's paramilitary forces. The decision is expected to improve job prospects for thousands of former Agniveers while strengthening the talent pool available for India's internal security apparatus. Recruitment notifications incorporating the revised reservation and relaxation provisions are expected to be issued in the coming months, providing eligible ex-Agniveers with a faster route into CAPF and Assam Rifles service.