Ex-Agniveers Get 10% Job Reservation, Age Relaxations In CISF, BSF, RPF

Several central armed forces, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Railway Protection Force (RPF), will reserve 10 per cent of constable posts for former Agniveer soldiers.

The government introduced the Agnipath recruitment scheme in June 2022. Under this system, the armed forces recruit soldiers aged between 17-and-a-half and 21 for four years. After this period, 25 per cent of these soldiers are retained for extended service, while the remaining 75 per cent retire with a substantial severance amount.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, have criticized the scheme, questioning the future of the 75 per cent of Agniveers who are not retained after their four-year tenure.

CISF Director General Nina Singh stated that, following the Union home ministry's directive, the CISF is preparing for this recruitment process. She announced that 10 per cent of constable jobs will be reserved for ex-Agniveers in all future appointments. Ex-Agniveers will receive exemptions in physical tests and age relaxations. The age relaxation will be five years for the first batch and three years for subsequent batches.

"Ex-Agniveers will benefit from these provisions, and the CISF will ensure their inclusion. This will be advantageous for the CISF as the force will gain trained and disciplined personnel," Singh said, according to DD News.

BSF Director General Nitin Agrawal echoed this sentiment, stating that 10 per cent of total vacancies will be reserved for Agniveers. The BSF will also offer age relaxations, with the first batch receiving five years and subsequent batches three years. "Ex-Agniveers bring four years of experience and are fully disciplined and trained. This is beneficial for the BSF as we are acquiring skilled soldiers," Agrawal added.

RPF Director General Manoj Yadava announced that all future constable recruitment in the RPF will include a 10 per cent reservation for ex-Agniveers. He expressed enthusiasm about welcoming ex-Agniveers, stating that their inclusion would bring new strength, energy, and a morale boost to the force.