First batch of Agniveers set to retire soon, may get to pick next service

The initial cohort of Agniveers, who are about to finish their mandatory four-year service, will soon be given the option to select their next posting. This potential flexibility in service allocation is under consideration by the Union government, with talks focused on placements across central armed police forces (CAPFs), state police forces, and the Indian Railways.

The final decision on this matter hinges on the availability of vacancies, with the nodal recruitment agency (capable of differing across recruitment cycles) set to make the final determination.

During a recent meeting, representatives from all CAPFs, alongside defence ministry officials, were present. It was suggested that an Agniveer from Haryana might prefer to serve in the Delhi or Haryana police units, while a Rajasthan Agniveer could opt for state police or another CAPF. The Union home ministry committee is diligently working on these specifics.

The government has earmarked half of the entry-level positions in key forces like BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and Assam Rifles for ex-Agniveers. Specific state allocations range from 10% to 20% for entry-level positions. However, not all states have openly committed to horizontal reservations for ex-Agniveers.

The Union government is projected to release a comprehensive notification detailing the induction rules for ex-Agniveers by the end of this month. Prior to their service, Agniveers will undergo specialized training, concentrating on internal security and law-enforcement duties, as directed by the CAPFs at a recent home ministry gathering. Each individual force is currently developing its training curriculum, which will be detailed separately in the forthcoming months.