Government Announces 50% Reservation in CAPF and Assam Rifles for Retired Agniveers
In a significant policy development, the Indian government has introduced a measure to secure career opportunities for individuals recruited under the Agnipath scheme by announcing a 50% reservation for retired Agniveers in the recruitment process for Constable (General Duty) positions within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Rifleman roles in the Assam Rifles.
This announcement was delivered by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha on July 21, 2026.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has established a new category, Ex-Agniveers, to facilitate recruitment for these positions. This initiative is designed to create a structured transition for Agniveers moving from military service to roles within India's internal security forces.
As per the new guidelines, 50% of the vacancies for Constable (GD) in the CAPFs and Rifleman posts in the Assam Rifles will be allocated to eligible retired Agniveers. This reservation is anticipated to significantly improve employment prospects for Agniveers once they complete their four-year term in the Armed Forces.
Additionally, the government has sanctioned an upper age limit relaxation for Ex-Agniveers. Eligible candidates will benefit from a three-year extension beyond the standard maximum age limit. Furthermore, the first batch of Agniveers, recruited under the Agnipath scheme, will receive an extra five-year age relaxation beyond the upper age limit.
The Ministry has also announced notable concessions in the recruitment process. Retired Agniveers will be exempt from the Physical Standards Test (PST), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), and the written examination when applying for the Constable (GD) and Rifleman positions in the CAPFs and Assam Rifles. These exemptions acknowledge the military training, discipline, and operational experience Agniveers acquire during their service.
To further support the transition of Agniveers into civilian and security-sector employment, the Ministry of Home Affairs has created a dedicated Ex-Agniveer Wing. This new division will coordinate and enhance the future progression, rehabilitation, and employment opportunities for Ex-Agniveers within various organisations under the Ministry.
Moreover, the government clarified that the first batch of Agniveers has not yet completed the four-year engagement period. Therefore, recruitment under these new policies will begin once the initial batch is eligible for discharge and transition into civilian roles.
This recent development underscores the government's commitment to providing meaningful career paths for Agniveers post-military service. Since the Agnipath scheme's inception in 2022, the government has launched several initiatives aimed at facilitating the integration of Ex-Agniveers into central police forces, state police departments, public sector enterprises, and private industry.
By introducing a specific Ex-Agniveer recruitment category, significant reservation, age relaxations, and exemptions from multiple recruitment stages, the government seeks to ensure that trained military personnel continue to contribute to national security while building stable careers within the country's internal security framework following their service in the Armed Forces.
