The Union Home Ministry has significantly increased the job quota for ex-Agniveers in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), raising the reservation from 10 per cent to 50 per cent.
This major policy change was officially notified through an amendment to the Border Security Force (BSF) recruitment rules. Under the new Border Security Force, General Duty Cadre (Non-Gazetted) Recruitment Rules, 2025, half of all constable vacancies will now be earmarked specifically for those who have completed their four-year military tenure.
Government officials have confirmed that this 50 per cent quota will be gradually implemented across other paramilitary branches, including the CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and the Assam Rifles.
This decision marks a strategic effort to secure the future of the first batch of Agniveers, who are scheduled to complete their service in late 2026. While ex-Agniveers will still be required to pass a written examination like regular candidates, the new policy grants them significant advantages, including total exemption from the Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
Additionally, the government has formalised age relaxations of five years for the inaugural batch and three years for subsequent groups to facilitate their transition into permanent roles within India's internal security apparatus.
The policy shift addresses long-standing concerns regarding the Agnipath scheme, which was launched in June 2022 and faced initial criticism for only absorbing 25 per cent of recruits into the regular armed forces. By opening 50 per cent of CAPF vacancies, the Home Ministry aims to provide a reliable employment path for the 75 per cent who return to civilian life.
Critics and political observers note that the move follows intense debate during the 2024 elections and is designed to leverage the pre-existing military training of Agniveers to bolster the operational readiness of border forces while simultaneously reducing government training costs.