50% CAPF reservation, written test exemption for former Agniveers

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced significant benefits for retired Agniveers, including 50% reservation in recruitment for Constable (General Duty) posts in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Rifleman positions in the Assam Rifles. This move aims to provide a clear career path for those completing their service under the Agnipath scheme.

In addition to the reservation, retired Agniveers will be exempted from the written examination, Physical Standard Test (PST), and Physical Efficiency Test (PET). This exemption streamlines the recruitment process for them. Furthermore, the government has introduced a 3-year relaxation in the prescribed upper age limit for ex-Agniveers. Candidates from the first batch of Agniveers will receive an additional 5-year age relaxation beyond this.

These new provisions build upon previous measures. In March 2023, the government had initially notified 10% reservation for ex-Agniveers, with exemptions only from physical tests. Over the past year, several forces, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Border Security Force (BSF), had already increased their internal reservation for ex-Agniveers to 50% and proposed exemptions from both written and physical tests.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha that a dedicated Ex-Agniveer wing has been established under the MHA to coordinate the progression of these personnel. While the first batch of Agniveers has not yet completed its term, these policy changes signal a strong commitment to integrating them into the security forces. The MHA is yet to announce the specific merit criteria for recruitment, but several state police forces, including Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan, have already implemented 20% reservations for ex-Agniveers.

“

Reservation of 50% of vacancies; 3 Years relaxation in prescribed upper age limit. Further, age relaxation of 5 years beyond the prescribed upper age limit will be given to the candidates of the first batch of Ex-Agniveers; and Exemption from the Physical Standards Test (PST), Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and written examination.