Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh government has decided to reserve 20 percent jobs in the police department for former Agniveers in direct recruitment. The 20% reservation will be considered for various positions in the state police department.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. State Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said that the move was aimed at providing meaningful job opportunities for Agniveers after they complete their four-year term under the Agnipath scheme.

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Agniveers are individuals recruited into the Indian Armed Forces through the AGNIPATH scheme. They are selected to serve for a limited period – four-years, with the aim of creating a younger and more youthful profile within the Armed Forces.  The age criteria for Agniveers are typically between 17 and 21 years, leaving their future uncertain without job security. The scheme, when introduced by the Union government in 2022, faced criticism and protests due to the lack of job security for the individuals joining the force, and hence weakening the morals of the armed forces.

Calling the decision “important,” the minister said the reservation will apply across different categories—general, SC, ST, and OBC. “If an Agniveer is from the SC category, the reservation will apply within SC; if from OBC, then within OBC,” the news agency quoted the minister. He also noted that agents applying for these posts will receive a special age relaxation of up to three years.

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The direct recruitment of agents will be for four categories—constable police, constable PAC (Pradeshik Armed Constabulary), mounted police, and firefighter. According to the minister, the first batch of recruits under this system will pass out in 2026. He pointed out that several states and central forces have already taken the initiative to provide reservations to these personnel.

“States like Haryana and Odisha have offered 10 percent reservation to former Agniveers. The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has now approved a 20 percent horizontal reservation, which is a bold and generous initiative,” the news agency quoted the minister. He added that the project not only recognises their service but ensures they can continue contributing to the nation’s security infrastructure after their military stint.