Defence Ministry announces 10% reservation for Agniveers amid violent protests

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday approved a proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the jobs in the defence ministry for Agniveers who meet the requisite eligibility criteria. This development comes hours after the home ministry approved a proposal to adopt a 10% quota for Agniveers in CAPF and Assam Rifles.

"The 10 per cent reservation will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard and defence civilian posts, and all the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings," the ministry said in a statement.

This reservation, for aspirants recruited through the Agnipath scheme, would be in addition to



the existing quota for ex-servicemen.

"Necessary amendments to relevant recruitment rules will be undertaken to implement these provisions," the ministry said in a tweet.

"Defence Public Sector Undertakings will be advised to make similar amendments to their respective recruitment rules. Necessary age relaxation provision will also be made," it added.

This comes amid violent protests that has spread to eight states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Telangana. The Centre is firefighting and a meeting with the chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force was called today.