The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved a policy granting 20% horizontal reservation to former Agniveers in direct police recruitment making it first of its kind move in the country. The decision applies to four positions: Police Constable, PAC personnel, Mounted Police Constable, and Fireman.
The reservation will function horizontally within existing categories, ensuring that candidates compete within their social groups. For instance, SC Agniveers will avail the benefit within the SC quota, and likewise for other groups.
Finance Minister Suresh Khanna stated that the policy ensures a structured career transition for Agniveers completing their four-year term under the Agneepath scheme. Recruitment under this reservation policy is expected to commence in 2026, aligned with the release of the first Agniveer cohort.
In addition to the quota, the state has granted a three-year age relaxation to eligible candidates. This aims to widen the window for applications and accommodate the time spent in military service.
Though other states like Haryana and Odisha have implemented 10% reservations for Agniveers, Uttar Pradesh is the first to offer a 20% horizontal quota, setting a national precedent. The Agneepath scheme, launched in 2022 by the central government, enrolls youth into the armed forces for four years, including six months of training.
Post-service, 25% are retained in the forces, while the remainder are expected to pursue civilian careers. This reservation fulfills an earlier assurance made by the Chief Minister at the scheme’s rollout, pledging preference for Agniveers in state police recruitment.
The policy not only honors that commitment but also aims to infuse the police force with disciplined and trained manpower. With this move, the UP government positions itself as a front-runner in absorbing ex-Agniveers into public service, offering a defined post-military career path and enhancing the state’s policing capability.
