New Benefits for Ex-Agniveers: The government introduced the Agnipath recruitment scheme in June 2022, targeting young soldiers aged 17-and-a-half to 21 years for a four-year service term. After this period, 25 per cent of these soldiers are retained for extended service, while the remaining 75 per cent retire with a substantial severance package.

Several central armed forces, including the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Railway Protection Force (RPF), will reserve 10 per cent of constable posts for former Agniveer soldiers.

This move has drawn criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which questions the future of the 75 per cent of Agniveers who are not retained after their four-year tenure.

CISF Recruitment Adjustments CISF Director General Nina Singh stated that the CISF will reserve 10 per cent of future constable jobs for ex-Agniveers, providing exemptions in physical tests and age relaxations—five years for the first year and three years in subsequent years. Singh emphasized the benefits of recruiting trained and disciplined personnel for the CISF.

BSF Recruitment Adjustments BSF Director General Nitin Agrawal confirmed a similar 10 per cent reservation for ex-Agniveers in total vacancies, along with age relaxations—five years for the first batch and three years for later batches. Agrawal highlighted the value of ex-Agniveers’ four years of disciplined and trained experience for the BSF.

RPF Recruitment Adjustments RPF Director General Manoj Yadava announced a 10 per cent reservation for ex-Agniveers in all future constable recruitment, noting that their inclusion would bring new strength, energy, and a morale boost to the force.