Ex-Agniveers will get 50% CAPF quota, age relaxation and recruitment exemptions: Govt tells Lok Sabha

The Union government has announced that former Agniveers will receive 50% reservation in constable (general duty) and rifleman posts across the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

50% Reservation for Ex-Agniveers

Responding to a written query, junior home minister Nityanand Rai stated that a new category of “ex-Agniveer” has been introduced for these recruitments. Under this category, half of the vacancies will be reserved for former Agniveers.

Age Relaxation Benefits

The government has also provided age-related concessions. Candidates applying under this category will receive a three-year relaxation in the upper age limit. Additionally, individuals from the first batch of ex-Agniveers will be eligible for a further five-year age relaxation beyond the prescribed limit.

Exemptions in Recruitment

Rai further noted that ex-Agniveers applying for CAPF constable (general duty) and rifleman roles will not be required to undergo the physical standards test, physical efficiency test, or the written examination.

"A dedicated ex-Agniveer wing under the ministry of home affairs has been established for the purpose of coordinating further progression of ex-Agniveers," said Rai.

First Batch Yet to Complete Tenure

The minister highlighted that the first batch of Agniveers is still serving its four-year tenure and has not yet completed the term.

Recruitment Rule Amendments

A notification issued by the home ministry in December 2025 amended the Border Security Force’s General Duty Cadre (Non-Gazetted) Recruitment Rules, 2015, to increase the quota for ex-Agniveers in constable (general duty) posts to 50% from 10%.

"By direct recruitment (including 50%), vacancies shall be reserved for ex-Agniveers in every recruitment year, 10% for ex-servicemen and up to 3% for combatised constable (tradesmen) in absorption of annual vacancy," the notification had stated.

[With TOI inputs]