Assam Cabinet clears 12% reservation for ex-Agniveers in 11 categories of govt jobs

The Assam Cabinet on Sunday approved 12% reservation for Assam-domiciled ex-Agniveers in direct recruitment to 11 categories of government jobs, opening a significant post-service employment avenue for personnel completing their tenure under the Centre’s Agnipath scheme. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on October 4. The reservation will apply to specified posts across several uniformed and government services in the state.

11 job categories

Under the decision, ex-Agniveers will receive 12% reservation in recruitment to constable and equivalent posts across Assam Police, Commando Battalions, Prison Department, Fire and Emergency Services, State Disaster Response Force, Forest Department and Excise Department, among other specified categories.

The benefit will be available to ex-Agniveers who are domiciled in Assam. Detailed recruitment rules and eligibility requirements will govern how the reservation is implemented across the departments concerned.

The measure is intended to provide a pathway into state government employment for personnel returning after completing their engagement with the armed forces under the Agnipath scheme.

Post-service opportunities

The Agnipath scheme recruits young personnel into the Army, Navy and Air Force as Agniveers for a four-year period. Under the framework, up to 25% of each batch can subsequently be enrolled in the regular cadre of the armed forces, subject to organisational requirements and selection.

The remaining personnel leave military service with a financial package and skills acquired during their tenure. Their transition to civilian employment has consequently become an important part of the broader debate surrounding the scheme.

Assam’s decision seeks to use the training, discipline and experience of ex-Agniveers in services where physical fitness, emergency response and security-related skills are particularly relevant.

Centre too expanded quota

The Assam decision comes after the Centre significantly expanded employment opportunities for ex-Agniveers in the Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles.

The Union government has created a separate ex-Agniveer category for recruitment to Constable (General Duty) and Rifleman posts, reserving 50% of vacancies for them. The Centre has also provided relaxation in the upper age limit and exemptions from specified recruitment tests.

Assam’s 12% reservation, however, applies separately to recruitment under the state government and covers a broader range of services.

Wider Cabinet decisions

The Agniveer quota was among several measures approved by the Assam Cabinet on Sunday covering employment, investment, infrastructure, municipal administration and environmental conservation.

The Cabinet also cleared financial assistance connected with Madhupur Satra, an important Vaishnavite institution associated with Assam’s cultural and religious heritage.

Another decision concerned the introduction of a Green Cess linked to the transfer of vehicle ownership, with the measure aimed at generating resources for environmental initiatives.

Brahmaputra riverfront

The Cabinet also approved a Detailed Project Report for the Brahmaputra riverfront development project. The project is aimed at developing stretches along the river while improving public infrastructure and the urban riverfront.

Investment-related proposals and measures concerning municipal administration were also among the decisions taken at the meeting.

The 12% reservation for ex-Agniveers, however, stands out as a significant recruitment policy change, creating a dedicated quota for Assam’s former Agnipath recruits across 11 categories of state government employment.