Agniveers or recruits under the Centre's Agnipath scheme will get 10 percent horizontal reservation in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles alongwith a relaxation in the upper age limit and exemption from the physical efficiency test while recruiting for the posts of Constables and Rifleman.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday while responding to a question by MP John Brittas. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in a written reply that “an in-principle approval has been given for reservation of 10% of vacancies for ex-Agniveers in the recruitment to the post of Constable (General Duty)/Rifleman in the Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles.”
He further said, “10% horizontal reservation is decided to be given to Ex-Agniveers for the post of Constable(GD)/Rifleman when the first batch of Ex-Agniveers is available for recruitment after completing engagement period of four years in Defence Forces.”
At present, there is a provision for vertical and horizontal reservation in openings in all paramilitary forces with conditions for candidates from Scheduled Castes at 15 percent, Scheduled Tribes at 7.5 percent, Other Backward Classes at 27 percent, Economically Weaker Sections at 10 percent, and ex-servicemen at 10 percent.
Under vertical reservation, candidates from SC, ST, and OBC are covered, and ex-servicemen get horizontal reservation. While horizontal reservation cuts across the vertical, the latter can’t be interlocked.
While Agniveers will be eligible for horizontal, their reservation will also cover all classes in addition to their service in the armed forces.