Government Announces 50% Reservation for Ex-Agniveers in CAPFs and Assam Rifles

The Government of India has introduced a proactive career framework aimed at streamlining the transition of military personnel into internal security forces. By establishing a dedicated Ex-Agniveer category, the administration guarantees robust employment pathways for service members upon the completion of their tenure. This monumental policy framework ensures that structural readiness is firmly in place well before the inaugural batch of Agniveers officially completes its service term.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai officially detailed this policy announcement in a written Lok Sabha reply on July 21, 2026. Shortly after, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued the Sashastra Seema Bal (Combatised General Duty) Group ‘C’ Posts Recruitment Rules, 2026, superseding older 2011 guidelines to formally enforce the reservation policy.

Key Provisions for Ex-Agniveers

To facilitate smooth integration, the newly established recruitment framework includes several major benefits designed to reward military service:

• 50% Reservation: Half of all vacancies in Constable (GD)/Rifleman recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles will be reserved for Ex-Agniveers.
• Age Relaxation: 3 years’ relaxation in the upper age limit for all Ex-Agniveers. The first batch of ex-Agniveers gets an additional 5 years on top of that, taking their total relaxation up to 8 years.
• Exemptions: Ex-Agniveers won’t need to appear for the PST, PET, or the written exam, since they’ve already been through equivalent training and screening during their service.
• Dedicated Ex-Agniveer Wing: A separate wing has been set up under the MHA to coordinate the career progression of Ex-Agniveers into CAPFs and other opportunities.

SSB Recruitment Rules 2026 Phases

Constable (GD) positions in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles are traditionally recruited primarily through the SSC GD Constable exam. Under the updated regulatory guidelines, the recruitment process for designated Ex-Agniveer vacancies is structured across two specific phases:

• Phase 1: The nodal force recruits specifically for the 50% vacancies reserved for Ex-Agniveers.
• Phase 2: A regular open competitive exam fills the remaining 50%, plus any Phase 1 vacancies that stay unfilled.

Key points to remember for future recruitment

Aspirants and candidates monitoring upcoming opportunities should keep several operational elements in mind:

• Future SSC GD vacancy notifications may show a specific Ex-Agniveer quota alongside the usual category-wise reservations.
• General aspirants should watch the official SSC GD notification closely for the exact vacancy split once it’s released.
• The exemptions given to Ex-Agniveers apply only to their reserved quota — the selection process for everyone else stays the same.

Candidates should maintain close vigilance on upcoming official announcements from the SSC and MHA regarding further implementation guidelines, application timelines, and detailed vacancy breakdowns.