**Uttar Pradesh Government Offers 20% Reservation for Ex-Agniveers in Police and Fire Services**
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a significant initiative to provide 20% reservation for ex-Agniveers in the state police and fire department. This decision, confirmed by an official on Saturday, follows an order issued on June 6. The announcement was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna addressed reporters after the meeting, emphasizing that this move aims to create meaningful post-service opportunities for Agniveers who have completed their four-year tenure under the Agnipath scheme. “This is a significant decision. The reservation will be applicable across various categories, including General, SC, ST, and OBC. For instance, if an ex-Agniveer belongs to the SC category, the reservation will apply within that category, and similarly for OBC,” he explained.
In addition to the reservation, former Agniveers applying for these positions will also benefit from a special age relaxation of up to three years. Recruitment will be conducted for four specific roles: police constable, PAC constable, mounted police, and fireman, with the first batch of recruits expected to emerge in 2026.
Khanna noted that several other states and central forces have already initiated similar reservations for Agniveers, with states like Haryana and Odisha offering 10% reservation. The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet’s approval of a 20% horizontal reservation is seen as a bold and generous initiative that not only acknowledges the service of Agniveers but also ensures their continued contribution to the nation’s security infrastructure after their military service.
The Agnipath scheme, introduced by the Centre in 2022, aims to facilitate the short-term induction of personnel into the Army, Navy, and Air Force, ultimately seeking to lower the age profile of these services.
**FAQ**
**What is the Agnipath scheme?**
The Agnipath scheme is a recruitment initiative launched by the Indian government in 2022, designed for the short-term induction of personnel into the armed forces, aiming to modernize and reduce the age profile of military services.