Lucknow: In a landmark decision, the Uttar Pradesh government has approved a 20% reservation for Agniveers in the direct recruitment process for various posts within the state police force. The announcement was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, underlining the state’s commitment to providing meaningful post-service career opportunities to Agniveers completing their four-year tenure under the central Agnipath scheme.
Reservation Policy Details and Implementation
Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna clarified that the 20% reservation will be horizontally applied across all categories, including General, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). He explained, “If an Agniveer belongs to the SC category, the reservation will apply within the SC quota; if OBC, then within OBC.” In addition to the reservation, Agniveers will also benefit from a special age relaxation of up to three years for these recruitment posts.
The reservation will cover four key recruitment categories: constable police, constable PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary), mounted police, and fireman. The state plans to induct the first batch of Agniveers under this scheme by 2026, facilitating their continued contribution to Uttar Pradesh’s law enforcement and public safety infrastructure.
Comparative Context and Broader Impact
Khanna noted that several other states and central forces have already introduced similar reservation policies for Agniveers, citing Haryana and Odisha, which have provided 10% reservation to former Agniveers. “The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has now approved 20% horizontal reservation, which is a bold and generous initiative,” he remarked, highlighting the progressive nature of the state’s approach.
The move aligns closely with the objectives of the Agnipath scheme introduced by the central government in 2022. Designed to induct young personnel into the Army, Navy, and Air Force for a short tenure, the scheme aims to rejuvenate the armed forces’ age profile. Uttar Pradesh’s policy ensures that these trained individuals have clear pathways to continue serving the nation in civilian security roles post their military tenure.
Government’s Vision and Future Implications
Addressing the media, Finance Minister Khanna emphasized, “This policy not only recognises the service of Agniveers but ensures they can continue contributing to the nation’s security infrastructure after their military stint.” The policy is expected to serve as a benchmark, encouraging other states to review and possibly enhance their reservation frameworks for ex-servicemen, thus strengthening the integration of trained personnel into civil services.
About Agniveer
The Agnipath Scheme, launched in June 2022, recruits soldiers, sailors, and airmen for a four-year tenure under the new rank of ‘Agniveer’. Agniveers receive a monthly salary ranging from ₹30,000 in the first year to ₹40,000 in the fourth year, along with allowances for risk, hardship, travel, and uniform . They contribute 30% of their salary to a ‘Seva Nidhi’ fund, matched by the government, accumulating approximately ₹11.71 lakh tax-free upon completion . Agniveers are also covered by ₹48 lakh life insurance and are eligible for medical facilities and 30-day annual leave . However, they do not receive pension benefits unless selected for permanent service.
