Indian Railways has given a significant gift to former Agniveers who have completed four years in the Indian Army under the Agnipath Scheme.
The railways have decided to provide a 15% reservation for ex-Agniveers in direct recruitment to non-gazetted posts under various departments under the Army’s ‘Agneepath’ scheme.
Along with this, ‘Agniveers’ will also be given relaxation in age limit and fitness test.
Railways Provide Horizontal Reservation in Level 1 and Level 2 Posts
The Railways will offer a 10% and 5% ‘horizontal reservation’ to ‘Agniveers’ in the posts of ‘Level-1 and Level-2,’ respectively.
Additionally, Agniveers will receive fitness tests and age relaxation.
The first batch of Agniveer will be given five years of relaxation from the prescribed age limit, while the subsequent batch will be given three years of relaxation.
Policy for Agniveers Reservation in the Railway Protection Force is Under Consideration
Sources said that a reservation policy for ‘Agniveers’ in the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is also under consideration.
The Railway Board has issued a letter to all General Managers asking various Railway Recruitment Agencies to give the benefit of these exemptions.
Relaxation in Upper Age Limit and PET Exemption in Recruitment of BSF, CISF, SSB and ITBP
Ex-Agniveers will also be exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) in the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a 10% reservation for former firefighters in these recruitments.
Exemption from PET and Necessary Amendments Notified by Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai has informed the Rajya Sabha that the necessary amendments have been notified by including the above provisions for ex-Agniveers in the Recruitment Rules of Constable (General Duty) in SSB, BSF, ITBP, and CISF.
A similar amendment in the case of CRPF and Assam Rifles (AR) is in the final stage of notification.
What is Agneepath Scheme?
Agneepath scheme provides youth with an opportunity to serve in the armed forces for a period of four years.
Under this scheme, the youth joining the three services will be named ‘Agniveer’. However, after four years only 25 per cent of the jawans from each batch will be retained in their respective services for a period of 15 years.
Opposition parties have criticized the decision, but the government has said it will make the armed forces more youthful and meet its current needs.
