- BSF recruitment rules amended for Agniveers by Home Ministry
- Agnipath scheme impact seen only in BSF recruitment quota
The Union government has increased the reservation quota for Agniveers in BSF recruitment. The Union Home Ministry issued a notification amending recruitment rules for the Border Security Force. The change raises the quota for Agniveers to 50 percent from the earlier 10 percent in the recruitment of BSF constables. The decision brings major relief to former Agniveers seeking continued service opportunities.
According to the notification, BSF recruitment will take place in two phases. In the first phase, authorities will fill 50 percent of vacancies allotted to former Agniveers. In the second phase, recruitment will cover the remaining vacancies, including ten percent reserved for ex servicemen. However, the notification also clarified that in a specific section of the first phase, recruitment will take place through the Staff Selection Commission instead of former Agniveers.
Meanwhile, the background of the policy traces back to the Agnipath scheme. The central government introduced the Agnipath scheme in June 2022. The scheme aimed to recruit personnel into the three armed services for a four year tenure. After completing four years of service as firefighters, Agniveers become eligible for recruitment in central paramilitary forces through reservation. Earlier, a 10 percent quota of constable general duty vacancies across all central armed police forces was reserved for former firefighters.
However, the latest notification narrows the scope of the enhanced quota. It clearly states that the 50 percent reservation applies only to BSF recruitment. Other central paramilitary forces will continue with the earlier reservation structure. Therefore, the expanded benefit does not extend beyond the Border Security Force at this stage.
Also, the rules related to eligibility remain unchanged. Under current provisions, former firefighters receive exemption from the physical fitness test. However, they must still qualify in the written examination. The notification reinforces that recruitment standards will continue while offering greater entry opportunities through BSF recruitment. The development marks a significant policy shift focused specifically on Agniveers within the Border Security Force.
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