The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have announced a significant decision to provide 10% reservation in their respective forces for former Agniveers. This move comes as part of the Agnipath recruitment scheme introduced by the Union home ministry in June 2022. The scheme aims to recruit individuals between 17-and-a-half and 21 years old for a four-year term with the provision to retain 25% of them for extended service. The remaining 75% will receive a substantial severance amount.
The chiefs of these central forces, including CISF Director General Nina Singh, BSF Director General Nitin Agrawal, and CRPF Director General Anish Dayal Singh, have expressed their commitment to implementing this reservation policy for ex-Agniveers. In addition to the reserved posts, the former Agniveers will also benefit from age relaxations and exemptions in physical tests. CISF’s Singh highlighted that 10% of jobs will be reserved for ex-Agniveers, with age relaxation of five years in the first year and three years in subsequent years.
BSF’s Agrawal emphasized the value of recruiting trained and disciplined soldiers, stating that 10% of vacancies in the force will be reserved for former Agniveers. Similarly, CRPF’s Singh underscored the readiness of the force to recruit ex-Agniveers, with reservation and age relaxations in place. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has also allocated a quota for ex-Agniveers in line with the new recruitment rules.
The move has received mixed reactions, with opposition parties questioning the fate of the 75% of Agniveers who are not retained after the initial tenure. However, the central forces believe that this recruitment strategy will benefit them by bringing in experienced and disciplined personnel. The relaxation in age and exemptions from physical tests aim to facilitate the seamless induction of former Agniveers into the forces.
Overall, the decision to provide reservation and age relaxations for ex-Agniveers reflects a proactive approach by the central forces to enhance their recruitment strategies and tap into the talent pool of individuals with military experience. This initiative is expected to not only strengthen the forces but also provide opportunities for former Agniveers to contribute to national security and service.
