The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a significant decision to reserve 20% of posts in the police force, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), fire services, and mounted police for ex-Agniveers. This move, approved by the state cabinet, aims to provide meaningful employment opportunities to Agniveers after their service in the armed forces.
The decision makes Uttar Pradesh the first state to offer such a substantial reservation to former Agniveers in police recruitment. The Yogi Adityanath cabinet cleared the proposal with the objective of reintegrating trained military youth into mainstream employment, fulfilling a promise made to these individuals.
Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna emphasized that this reservation would be implemented horizontally across all categories, including General, Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC). This means that an ex-Agniveer belonging to any of these categories will benefit from the reservation within their respective category.
In addition to the reservation, the state government has also announced a three-year age relaxation for ex-Agniveers applying for these positions. This additional benefit aims to further ease their transition into state government jobs.
The Agnipath scheme, introduced by the Central Government in 2022, allows youth to serve in the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy as Agniveers for a period of four years. After completing their service, 25% of Agniveers are inducted into regular service based on their performance, while the remaining 75% are encouraged to pursue other career opportunities. The first batch of Agniveers is expected to complete their service in 2026, and the Uttar Pradesh government plans to initiate the recruitment process around the same time.
Several other states and central forces have also taken initiatives to provide reservations to Agniveers. However, with a 20% reservation, Uttar Pradesh has positioned itself as a leader in supporting Agniveers, exceeding the 10% reservation offered by states like Haryana and Odisha.
This decision is expected to have several positive impacts. First, it provides a clear career path for Agniveers after their service, addressing concerns about their future employment prospects. Second, it strengthens the state's security forces by bringing in well-trained and disciplined personnel. Third, it aligns with the central government's vision of encouraging national service and providing opportunities for youth.
The move is also seen as a politically strategic one, reinforcing the ruling party's nationalistic image and appealing to its core voter base. By providing employment opportunities to youth who have served the nation, the government aims to address the issue of unemployment and gain public support.
