Chances increased for former firefighters in CAPFs and Assam Rifles, Home Ministry increased quota to 50 percent

The Union Home Ministry told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that former firefighters will get 50 percent reservation in the posts of constable (general duty) and riflemen in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles. Also, the government has created a new category named ‘Purva-Agniveer’ for recruitment in this security forces.

In response to a written question, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said that a new category named ‘Pre-Agniveer’ has been created by the government for recruitment to these posts. In this, a provision of 50 percent vacancy has been made, along with a relaxation of 3 years in the prescribed maximum age limit and an additional relaxation of 5 years in the prescribed age limit for the candidates of the first batch of ex-Agniveers.

Exemption from PST, PET and written examination

Further, he said that ex-fire veterans applying for Constable (General Duty) and Rifleman posts in the Central Armed Police Forces will be exempted from Physical Standards Test (PST), Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and written examination.

Union Minister of State for Home Rai said, “To coordinate the further progress of ex-Agniveer, a special wing named ‘Ex-Agniveer Wing’ has been created under the Home Ministry.” The special thing is that the first batch of Agniveers has not yet completed their four-year tenure.

CRPF had made changes last year

By issuing a notification in December 2025, the Home Ministry had made important changes in the Border Security Force, General Duty Cadre (Non-Gazetted) Recruitment Rules, 2015, so that the quota of ex-fire veterans for constable (General Duty) posts could be increased from 10 percent to 50 percent.

The notification issued also said, “Through direct recruitment (including 50 per cent), vacancies will be reserved for ex-fire veterans in every recruitment year. Also, 10 per cent of annual vacancies will be reserved for ex-servicemen and 3 per cent of annual vacancies will be reserved for combatized constables (tradesmen).” CRPF had made a similar change in the recruitment rules in May last year. Agniveer Yojana was launched by the Central Government on 14 June 2022.