Maharashtra Clears 10% Quota For Former Agniveers

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved a policy providing 10 per cent horizontal reservation in government jobs for former Agniveers in Group-C uniformed services. The policy will cover Agniveers who complete four years of service in the armed forces and subsequently seek appointment in the state government. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said former Agniveers would be exempted from fresh recruitment examinations and training, as the first batch is completing its tenure and returning from the armed forces.

The Central government launched the Agnipath military recruitment scheme in 2022 for the Army, Navy and Air Force. Under the scheme, candidates aged between 17.5 and 21 years are recruited for a four-year tenure. Agniveers undergo training in discipline, leadership, technical skills, disaster management, security and organisational processes. At the end of four years, 25 per cent are retained permanently in the armed forces based on performance, discipline and skills, while the remaining 75 per cent are released from service.

The Maharashtra government had constituted a high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary to formulate a policy for appointing former Agniveers to uniformed Group-C posts across various establishments under the Home, State Excise, Forest and Urban Development departments. The policy was finalised on the recommendations of the committee and subsequently approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday.

Under the policy, 10 per cent horizontal reservation will be provided to former Agniveers who are residents of Maharashtra. The reservation will be implemented as compartmental horizontal reservation.

“If a requirement arises for more than 10 per cent horizontal reservation for certain posts, the high-level committee has been empowered to increase the quota, subject to the condition that the existing social reservation remains unaffected,” an official said.

According to officials, 3,328 Agniveers — 2,839 from the Army, 471 from the Navy and 18 from the Air Force — were recruited in 2022. Of these, 2,469 are scheduled to be released from service in 2026 after completing their four-year tenure under the Agnipath scheme.

A senior Home Department official, requesting anonymity, said 18 Navy Agniveers would be absorbed into the Coastal Police. “These Agniveers will work as khalasi (sailors) on boats,” he said.

The Group-C uniformed posts covered under the reservation will include Police Constable and Police Constable (Driver) posts under the Director General of Police and subordinate establishments, including the Maharashtra Police and State Reserve Police Force; Prison Constable posts in the Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services; and Fireman, Rescuer and related posts under the Directorate of Civil Defence.

The policy will also cover various posts, including Havaldar Instructor, Junior Instructor, Mechanical Instructor, Instructor and Promoter, under the Home Guards; Police Constable Sailor (Engine Side) and Police Constable Sailor (Deck Side) in the State Intelligence Department; Jawan and Jawan-cum-Vehicle Driver posts in the State Excise Department; Forest Guard posts in the Forest Department; and Fireman and Rescuer posts under the Urban Development Department and municipal corporations.

“Former Agniveers will be completely exempted from the written examination for these posts. The Cabinet has also approved provisions for age relaxation, exemption from the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST), as well as provisions relating to seniority, promotion, training, and recognition of other experience and skills. A detailed government resolution will be issued on these matters,” an official said.

Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Mr Fadnavis said, “Maharashtra has decided that Agniveers will be accommodated in the police and similar posts in the state government forces. There will be no examination for them. Those who want to return to Maharashtra and work for the government will be accommodated in government service.”

He said Agniveers would also be provided a four-year age relaxation.