Government Directs States to Prioritize Ex-Agniveers in Private Security Hiring

Government Initiative for Ex-Agniveers

The Union government has instructed all states and Union territories to prioritize the hiring of former Agniveers by private security firms and training organizations, as reported by a news agency.

This directive was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 11, aiming to facilitate the career transition of Agniveers after their service in the armed forces.

Agniveers are individuals recruited under the Agnipath scheme, which allows citizens aged between 17.5 and 21 years to enlist in the military for a four-year period, with a provision for 25% of them to continue for an additional 15 years.

The Agnipath scheme was introduced in June 2022, and the first group of Agniveers is expected to complete their service next year.

The home ministry has urged state authorities to engage with private security providers to encourage the employment of ex-Agniveers, as reported by a news outlet.

Additionally, the ministry has instructed the Police-II Division to develop a framework ensuring that government departments, banks, and other organizations that outsource security services consider hiring former Agniveers.

The letter emphasized that individuals with prior military, police, or home guard experience should be given preference in accordance with the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act.

According to the letter, "Agniveers possess approximately four years of service experience," and thus should be favored by private security firms when hiring security personnel and supervisors.

This directive has faced backlash from the Congress party, which has accused the Union government of reneging on its commitment to provide stable, pensionable government jobs for Agniveers, as reported by another news outlet.

Colonel (retired) Rohit Chaudhry, who leads the Congress’ ex-servicemen department, criticized the decision, claiming it misleads soldiers who served under the Agnipath scheme.

Chaudhry questioned why trained soldiers are being directed to private firms instead of being integrated into government positions, stating, "We cannot allow Agniveers to become a private army engaged in conflicts at home or abroad," as quoted by a news outlet.