MHA to give priority to 'Agniveers' for jobs in CAPFs, Assam Rifles: Amit Shah

New Delhi, June 15: In yet another development in Agnipath scheme, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to give priority to 'Agniveers' who have completed four years under the 'Agnipath' scheme in the recruitment of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles.

 

 

Taking to twitter, Shah said, "Agnipath Yojana is a visionary and welcome decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the bright future of the youth. In this context, today, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) has decided to give priority to Agniveers who complete 4 years under this scheme for recruitment in CAPFs (central armed police forces) and Assam Rifles."

 

Shah said a "detailed planning" work has been started in the MHA following the decision. "With this decision taken by the Home Ministry under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, the youth trained by the 'Agnipath' scheme will be able to contribute to the service and security of the country. Detailed planning work has been started on this decision," Shah said.

 

 

According to government data as of 2020, there are more than 1 lakh vacancies in CAPF – including Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Assam Rifles (AR).

 

The CAPFs and AR are engaged in critical duties such as border security, law and order in states, insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and Maoist-affected states, civil aviation, Metro security and VVIP duties. At present, the total strength of CAPFs and AR is 9,30,000, including 34,000 women.

 

 

On Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the historic scheme was a transformative initiative that would provide a youthful profile to the armed forces. "Under the Agnipath scheme, Indian youngsters will be provided an opportunity to serve in the armed forces as Agniveer," said Singh. 'Agnipath' is a pan India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen and sailors. The scheme provides an opportunity for youth to serve in the regular cadre of the armed forces. All those recruited under the 'Agnipath' scheme will be called 'Agniveers'.

 

 

'Agniveers' will be enrolled for a service duration of 4 years including the training period. After four years, only 25 per cent of the Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre based on merit, willingness and medical fitness. They will then serve for a full term of another 15 years.