Haryana Increases Reservation for Agniveers in Police Recruitment

The Haryana government has announced a significant increase in reservation for Agniveers in police recruitment, raising the quota from 10% to 20%. This decision, made during a State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, aligns with the Union Home Minister’s directive to provide greater opportunities for Agniveers transitioning into civilian roles after their service in the armed forces.

What This Means for Agniveers

The Agnipath scheme, launched in 2022, was designed to recruit young aspirants into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force for a four-year service period. After completing their tenure, Agniveers are expected to integrate into various government departments and public sector roles.

With the new 20% reservation for Agniveers, will have better job prospects in Haryana’s police force, ensuring a smooth transition from military to civilian life.

• Additionally, the Haryana government has introduced several benefits, including:
• 1% horizontal reservation in Group B posts
• 5% horizontal reservation in Group C posts
• For Group B & C posts Age relaxation of 3 years
• For the first batch of Agniveers upto 5 years age relaxation
• Exemption from the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group C posts

These measures aim to support Agniveers in securing stable employment after their service.

Financial Support & Entrepreneurial Support for Agniveers

Beyond job reservation for Agniveers, the Haryana government is also encouraging entrepreneurship among Agniveers. Key financial incentives include:

• Annual subsidy of ₹60,000 per Agniveer for industries employing them (if their salary exceeds ₹30,000).
• Interest-free loans up to ₹5 lakh for Agniveers looking to start their own businesses

These initiatives aim to empower Agniveers economically, ensuring they have multiple career paths to choose from.

Ex-Gratia Grant for Martyred Agniveers

In a significant move to honor the sacrifices of Agniveers, the Haryana government has approved an ex-gratia grant of ₹1 crore for the families of Agniveers who lose their lives in combat operations. This decision, taken during a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, aligns the benefits for Agniveers with those provided to regular defense and paramilitary personnel.

The Agnipath scheme, launched by the central government in 2022, recruits young individuals as Agniveers for a four-year tenure in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Since its inception, Haryana has seen substantial participation, with thousands of youth joining the armed forces. The first batch is expected to complete their service in 2026–27.

Enhanced Support for Agniveers

Beyond the ex-gratia grant, the Haryana cabinet has approved several measures to support Agniveers:

• Increased Reservation in Police Recruitment – The reservation quota for Agniveers in police recruitment has been doubled from 10% to 20%, enhancing their post-service employment opportunities.
• Financial Assistance and Employment for Martyrs’ Families – The cabinet sanctioned ₹50 lakh and a government job for an eligible family member of Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was killed in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025.
• Residential Allotment for Martyrs’ Families – A 200-square-yard plot in Faridabad’s Atali village has been allotted to Geeta, widow of Naik Sandeep, who fell during an anti-terrorist operation in Pulwama in February 2019.

Broader Welfare Initiatives

In addition to measures for Agniveers, the Haryana government has launched other welfare initiatives:

• Haryana AI Development Project (HAIDP) – A three-year project (2025-2028) with an outlay of ₹474.39 crore to establish critical infrastructure like the Global Artificial Intelligence Centre in Gurugram.
• Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana – A cultural welfare scheme providing monthly honorariums to artists based on their annual income.

The Haryana government’s decision to provide ₹1 crore ex-gratia to the families of martyred Agniveers ensures parity with other categories of battle casualties and provides crucial financial security to bereaved families. By introducing supportive measures, the state aims to

Public & Political Reactions

The decision to increase reservation has been widely welcomed by defense experts and political leaders, who see it as a positive step toward honoring Agniveers’ contributions.

However, some critics argue that more efforts should be made to provide long-term employment guarantees beyond police recruitment. Others suggest that private sector incentives should be expanded to ensure Agniveers have diverse career opportunities.

Despite differing opinions, the Haryana government remains committed to supporting Agniveers through job reservations, financial aid, and skill development programs.

Conclusion

The increase in reservation for Agniveers in Haryana’s police recruitment marks a major milestone in integrating ex-servicemen into civilian roles. With additional financial incentives, job preferences, and entrepreneurial support, Agniveers now have greater opportunities to build successful careers post-service.

As Haryana leads the way in Agniveer welfare, other states may follow suit, ensuring better employment prospects for India’s young defense personnel

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