Following serious criticism and questioning by the opposition over the Agniveer scheme during the Lok Sabha session, the Union Home Ministry has announced a 10% reservation for ex-Agniveers in the central armed police forces (CAPF).

CISF DG Neena Singh announced on Thursday that there will be a 10% reservation for ex-Agniveers in constable recruitment. Additionally, they will be granted age relaxation and exempted from the physical test.

Agniveers
Image source: SSBCrack

Singh said, "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 an ex-Agniveer."

Singh told DD news that "In the first year, the age relaxation is for five years and in the subsequent year, the age relaxation will be three years."

A similar announcement came from BSF Director General Nitin Agrawal, who also confirmed a 10% reservation for Ex-Agniveers in recruitment. Age relaxation was also announced, with the first batch receiving five years of age relaxation and subsequent batches receiving three years.

Agarwal said, “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 a short training, they will be deployed along the border.”

According to Central Reserve Police Force Director General Anish Dayal, all the preparations have been made to recruit ex-Agniveers in CRPF. “The recruitment rules have also been amended for this. The first batch of Agniveers will be given an age relaxation for five years. They will also be given 10 per cent reservation, and they will also be exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test (PET)".

He added that Agniveers have learned discipline in the army, and with this, we will have trained and disciplined personnel.

Similar announcements have been made by SSB DG Daljit Singh and RPF DG Manoj Yadav, who confirmed that 10% reservation and age relaxation will be given to the former Agniveers in the recruitment process of their respective forces.

Controversies Surrounding the Agniveers Scheme

The Agniveer scheme has been a centre of controversies since its implementation in 2022. Opposition has questioned the government multiple times over the credibility of the scheme. Recently, the LoP Rahul Gandhi accused the government in the Lok Sabha session of not giving compensation to the family of slain Ajay Kumar, who was an Agniveer. Gandhi also blamed the government for not designating Kumar as a Martyr.

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