Reservation for Agniveers in CAPFs:
The Union Home Ministry has decided to increase reservation for ex-Agniveers in Group C posts of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from 10% to 50%, marking a major policy shift under the Agnipath scheme.
- Ex-Agniveers will be exempted from Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET). However, they must appear for written examinations like other candidates.
- Agnipath Scheme Launched in June 2022, is a short-term military recruitment programme. Recruits under this scheme are called Agniveers, and the objective is to maintain a young, agile, and technology-oriented force while optimising defence personnel expenditure.
- Applicants must be Indian citizens and meet prescribed educational, physical, and medical standards of the respective service.
- The age limit was 17.5–23 years for the 2022 intake, and 17.5–21 years for subsequent intakes, reflecting the scheme’s focus on youth induction.
- Agniveers are enrolled for a fixed tenure of four years.
- They will be recruited as personnel below officer (PBOR) rank in the army, air force and navy for four years, including six months of training.
- Up to 25% of each Agniveer batch may be absorbed into the regular cadre based on performance, without any right to selection, while the remaining personnel receive skill certification to support post-service employability.
- Agniveers earn Rs 30,000–Rs 40,000 per month over four years, contribute 30% of pay to a Agniveer Corpus Fund matched by the government, and receive a tax-free Seva Nidhi package of about Rs 11.71 lakh on exit, with no pension or gratuity.
- Rs 48 lakh non-contributory life insurance cover is provided during service.
