In a noble gesture of ensuring maximum employment opportunities for Agniveers after retirement, the Union Home Ministry has raised reservation for ex-Agniveers in the Group C posts of the BSF from the existing 10% to 50%. It will be introduced to other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) soon. The move makes a significant shift from the ministry’s earlier decision to implement a 10% reservation for the temporary recruits of the armed forces in the CAPFs.
According to the notification, 50% of vacant constable posts in the Border Security Force (BSF) will be reserved for ex-Agniveers. The ex-Agniveers will now be required only to appear for the written test, as they have been exempted from the Physical Standard Test and Physical Efficiency Test. This 50 percent reservation will currently be applicable for constable posts in BSF.
The notification, containing new provisions introduced through an amendment in the rules, was issued on Friday by the Home Ministry. It applies to the Border Security Force (BSF) General Duty Cadre (Non-Gazetted) Recruitment Rules.
According to the amended rules, fifty per cent vacancies shall be reserved for ex-Agniveers in every recruitment year, ten per cent from ex-Servicemen and up to three percent for absorption of annual vacancy amongst Combatised Constable (Tradesmen).
Moreover, for absorption in the rank of constables from among the Combatised Constable (Tradesmen) of the BSF, the age criteria have also been relaxed from the existing 30 to 35 years. Besides, the minimum service period has also been increased from three to five years. Similarly, the upper age limit for deputation to other forces will now be 56 years. The existing upper age limit is 52.
According to a reliable source, the recruitment rules for Group C posts of all CAPFs will be amended gradually in the coming days.
The Agniveer scheme, which had been launched in 1922, had led to a spasmodic reaction. After widespread violent protests, the Centre had announced that 10% of all vacancies in the CAPFs will be reserved for the armed forces recruits who have completed four years of service under the Agnipath scheme. The first batch of Agniveers will be eligible for recruitment in the CAPFs in 2026.
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