The first batch of Agniveers are set to complete their four-year military service later this year and will likely be allowed to choose where they want to serve next, with the Union government considering giving them options across central armed police forces (CAPFs), state police forces, and Indian Railways, according to people familiar with discussions related to the induction of ex-Agniveers.
While the government is yet to notify the induction rules, the people, who have attended meetings on the issue, added on condition of anonymity that former Agniveers are likely to be allowed to indicate their preferred force, even as the final decision, depending on vacancies, will be taken by the nodal recruitment force (which could be different or the same in each recruitment cycle).
“A meeting held by the Union home ministry was attended by representatives from all CAPFs and also defence ministry officials. Candidates will most likely have the option to submit their preferences. An Agniveer from Haryana may want to work in Delhi or Haryana police or a specific CAPF. Similarly, a Rajasthan Agniveer may want to work in the state police or another CAPF. The home ministry-appointed committee is working on these details,” one of the people cited above said.
The home ministry has already announced that half of entry-level posts in forces such as BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and Assam Rifles will be filled by ex-Agniveers. Some states have announced that between 10% and 20% of entry level posts will be filled by ex-Agniveers.
{{/usCountry}}The home ministry has already announced that half of entry-level posts in forces such as BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and Assam Rifles will be filled by ex-Agniveers. Some states have announced that between 10% and 20% of entry level posts will be filled by ex-Agniveers.
{{/usCountry}}To be sure, not all state police forces have announced horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers. People aware of the matter said the Union government will issue a detailed notification by the end of this month laying down the induction rules for former Agniveers.
At the meeting of the home ministry last month, the CAPFs were directed to prepare a training module on internal security and law-and-order duties for the former soldiers, who are trained primarily for warfare, a second person familiar with the matter said.
“Each force is working on a different training module, mostly related to internal security and law and order duty. This training module will be separately announced by the forces later,”this person added.
The first batch of 2,600 Agniveers inducted into Indian Navy began training in November 2022 and 75% will roster out by November 2026. Currently, the recruitment process for 25,487 constable posts in different CAPFs is underway. In 2025, there were 39,481 vacancies.
“The Staff Selection Commission will release a notification next month for the induction of Constable( general duty) in the CAPFs for 2026-27; it usually happens in September. Selecting from the 75% retired from the first few batches of Agniveers should not be a difficult task , as the number of vacancies in different forces will be more. It will be interesting to see the changes after the first few batches, when those who retire will number 10,000–15,000 every year,” the second officer added.
India on June 14, 2022, announced the Agnipath scheme replacing the military’s decade-old system of recruitment, which will lower the age profile of the armed forces, ensure a fitter military and create a technically skilled war-fighting force capable of meeting future challenges. The Agnipath scheme recruits soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25% of them in the regular cadre for 15 years after another screening round.