Ex-Agniveers to get reservations, age relaxations: CISF, BSF chiefs

As per the CISF Chief, 10 percent of jobs will be reserved for ex-Agniveers in all future constable appointments.

The chiefs of the CISF, BSF, and CRPF announced on July 11 that 10 percent of soldier posts in their respective forces will be reserved for former Agniveers, following a decision by the Home Ministry.

CISF Director General Nina Singh, BSF Director General Nitin Agrawal, and CRPF Director General Anish Dayal Singh highlighted this policy amid renewed attention on the Agnipath recruitment scheme, which is designed for short-term induction of personnel into the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

"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 noted.

The CISF chief stated that 10 percent of jobs will be reserved for ex-Agniveers in all future constable appointments.

"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," Singh told DD News.

"Ex-Agniveer will be able to take advantage of this and the CISF will ensure that. This will be beneficial for the CISF too as the force will get trained and disciplined personnel," she added.

The Agnipath scheme, launched in June 2022, aims to lower the age profile of the three services by recruiting youths between 17 and a half years and 21 for four years, with a provision to retain 25 percent of them for an additional 15 years. Opposition parties have criticised the scheme, questioning the future of the 75 percent of Agniveers who will not be retained.

Various central government agencies and departments have already announced plans to recruit former Agniveers.

"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 BSF Director General Agrawal.

CRPF Director General Singh stated, "The recruitment rules have been accordingly amended. A reservation of 10 percent has been made for ex-Agniveers. They will also get relaxation in age. The first batch will get five years of relaxation while it will be three years afterward". He also noted that there will be no physical efficiency test for the former Agniveers.

Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Daljit Singh Chaudhary said a quota has been fixed for ex-Agniveers in his force. "We have amended the recruitment rules accordingly. The first batch will be given an age relaxation of five years. And, there will be no physical efficiency test for them," he said.

A defence ministry official added that no physical test would be required for the recruitment of former Agniveers into the paramilitary forces, as such tests have already been conducted by the Army. They will only need a physical fitness certificate.

With agency inputs