Overview
- The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a September 11 directive asking all states and Union territories to ensure ex-Agniveers receive preference in recruitment by private security agencies and training institutes.
- State regulators under the Private Security Agencies Regulation framework were told to sensitise leading firms, and the Police-II Division was tasked with creating a system so government departments, banks and other outsourcing entities hire former Agniveers.
- Agnipath recruits serve four-year terms with only 25% retained for longer service, and the first cohort is due to complete its tenure next year.
- The government has separately reserved 10% of vacancies for former Agniveers in CAPF and Assam Rifles constable and rifleman posts with age-limit relaxations and exemptions from the Physical Efficiency Test.
- Congress leaders condemned the move as reducing soldiers to private guards, while veterans and analysts warned that the largely low-paid and weakly regulated private security sector could undermine post-service dignity and security.