Rajnath Singh approves a proposal to reserve 10% of the job vacancies in the Ministry of Defence for ‘Agniveers’

Union defence Minister Rajnath Singh today has approved a proposal to reserve 10% of the job vacancies in the Ministry of Defence for ‘Agniveers’ meeting requisite eligibility criteria.

The ministry stated via a tweet that, 10% reservation will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard and defence civilian posts, and all the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings. This reservation would be in addition to existing reservations for ex-servicemen.

Moreover it also mentioned that the necessary amendments to relevant recruitment rules will be undertaken to implement these provisions.


Also, Defence Public Sector Undertakings will be advised to make similar amendments to their respective recruitment rules. Necessary age relaxation provision will also be made.

The decision came out just after today’s crucial meeting between the defence minister and the respective service chiefs of Army, Navy and Airforce. While today, the Union home ministry also granted a 10% reservation for ‘Agniveers’ in CAPF and Assam Rifles recruitment.

Furthermore, intense protests by youth were witnessed across several parts of the country over the last three days with opposition parties anticipating the move and urging the government to withdraw the scheme. As of today, All India Students' Associated called a 24-hour Bihar bandh in the state, the epicenter of the protest.

In an attempt to pacify the protesters, the government on Thursday night increased the upper age limit for recruitment under the 'Agnipath' scheme to 23 years from 21 for the year 2022.