Centre Prepares Plan to Secure Jobs for Agniveers Before Their 4-Year Tenure Ends.

Preparations are underway to pave the way for future employment for Agniveers even before they complete their four-year military service. According to Ministry of Defence sources, a new exit plan has been formulated for them.

The Central Government is devising a new system to facilitate subsequent employment for Agniveers prior to the completion of their four-year military tenure. Ministry of Defence sources indicate that a new exit plan has been prepared to ensure they do not have to undergo a lengthy, separate job-seeking process after leaving the armed forces. The first batch recruited under the Agnipath scheme—comprising over 19,000 Agniveers who joined on January 1, 2023—is set to complete its four-year term in January 2027.

25 Percent of Agniveers to Remain in the Army

The Agnipath scheme includes a provision to retain 25 percent of Agniveers in the Army’s regular cadre after the completion of their four-year service. Plans are now in place to complete the selection process for these Agniveers before their service tenure concludes. According to Ministry of Defence sources, a merit list will be prepared based on internal examinations and evaluations. The list of selected Agniveers could be released before the tenure ends to ensure a seamless transition into regular service. Previously, the arrangement stipulated that all Agniveers would be discharged after four years of service, with 25 percent subsequently being re-inducted into the Army; this process is now set to change.

Employment Arrangements for the Remaining 75 Percent

Employment arrangements are also being made for the 75 percent of Agniveers who are not retained in the Army after their four-year service. The plan aims to provide them with job opportunities in Central Paramilitary Forces, police departments, and other government sectors. To facilitate this, the Ministry of Home Affairs plans to advance the recruitment process through a dedicated portal. The government aims to complete the procedures for the Agniveers’ subsequent government employment before their four-year tenure concludes.

Reservation in Security Forces

Provisions for reservation have been made for former Agniveers across several central security forces. A 50% reservation quota has been allocated for them for the posts of Constable and Rifleman in the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and Assam Rifles. These recruitment drives also include provisions for exemptions regarding written examinations, as well as physical tests and physical efficiency tests, for former Agniveers.

Reservation in Railways

Reservation arrangements have also been made for Agniveers within the Indian Railways. A 10% horizontal reservation has been earmarked for former Agniveers for Category-1 posts, while a 5% horizontal reservation applies to Category-2 posts and above. Additionally, provisions for reservation and priority in employment have been established for discharged Agniveers across central and state government sectors.

What are the current rules of the Agnipath Scheme?

Under the Agnipath Scheme, Agniveers serve in the armed forces for a period of four years. Upon completion of this tenure, 25% of the Agniveers are retained in the regular cadre, while 75% are discharged from service. The objective of the new exit plan is to ensure timely employment arrangements for the 75% who leave the service. The government is preparing to ensure that when Agniveers complete their four-year service and exit the force, a pathway for their future employment is already in place.