HAMIRPUR, March 25: Ahead of the first batch of Agniveers completing their four-year tenure in 2027, the Centre has begun pushing states to create job opportunities for them in government services.
The Union Home Ministry has written to Chief Ministers across the country, recommending that Agniveers be given at least 20% reservation in recruitment to selected state posts. The communication, issued in the name of Home Minister Amit Shah, asks states to examine the proposal and make suitable provisions.
The move is aimed at ensuring that young men trained under the Agnipath scheme are not left without structured employment options once their service period ends.
Police, Forest and SDRF Posts in Focus
The Home Ministry has suggested that states look at Agniveers for recruitment in posts such as police constable, forest guard, mining guard, fireman, mounted police, jail warden, SPO and SDRF personnel.
The reasoning is straightforward: Agniveers already receive physical training, field exposure and discipline during their four years of service, and states can use that experience in departments that require readiness and field deployment.
In Himachal Pradesh, the proposal has already reached the government. The Sainik Welfare Department has forwarded a detailed report after receiving the Centre’s letter, and the matter is now expected to be taken up at the state level.
Why the Proposal Matters for Himachal
The recommendation is especially relevant for Himachal Pradesh, where a large number of young people traditionally join the armed forces and paramilitary services.
If the state adopts such a reservation model, it could give many returning Agniveers a more defined route into civilian government jobs instead of leaving them to compete without any transition support after service.
Some states have already moved in this direction. Haryana has made provisions for Agniveers in police, jail warden, mining guard, SPO and certain Group-C posts, while Uttarakhand has also announced reservation in police and other uniformed services.
The Centre has already reserved vacancies for former Agniveers in central armed police forces and related services. The latest push is meant to extend similar support through state-level recruitment as well.
