The Assam Cabinet on October 4, 2026, approved a 12 per cent reservation for Assam-domiciled ex-Agniveers in recruitment to 11 categories of state government services, including the Assam Police, Assam Police Radio Organisation (APRO), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire & Emergency Services, Forest Guards, and Excise Department.
This decision aims to provide employment opportunities to former Agniveers after their four-year tenure in the armed forces, leveraging their military training and discipline to strengthen the state’s uniformed services. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasised that the induction of these trained personnel would significantly enhance the capabilities of the state police force and other departments.
What was announced
The Assam Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, October 4, 2026, sanctioned a 12 per cent reservation for ex-Agniveers who are permanent residents of Assam. The reservation will apply to recruitment across 11 specific categories of state government jobs. These categories include positions in the Assam Police (including police constables, commando battalion personnel), the prison department (jail wardens), the Assam Police Radio Organisation (APRO), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) constables, Fire and Emergency Services (firemen), Forest Guards, and the Excise Department (excise constables).
Chief Minister Sarma, addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, clarified that this provision is exclusively for Agniveers born in Assam who hold permanent residency in the state. The cabinet also took other significant decisions during the meeting, including the approval of a Green Cess on vehicle ownership transfers and customised incentives for a major industrial investment.
Why it matters
The 12 per cent reservation is a crucial step by the Assam government to ensure a smooth transition for Agniveers into civilian life and provide them with stable employment opportunities after their service in the armed forces. The Chief Minister highlighted that the military training received by Agniveers equips them with advanced skills and discipline, which will be invaluable to the state’s police and allied forces. Their induction is expected to bolster the efficiency and effectiveness of these departments.
This move also addresses concerns regarding post-service employment for Agniveers, a key aspect of the Agnipath scheme. By offering a dedicated quota, Assam aims to recognise their service to the nation and facilitate their reintegration into society. The reservation specifically targets constable-level posts, which aligns with the physical and disciplinary training received by Agniveers.
Background
The Agnipath scheme, a “tour of duty” style recruitment model, was approved by the Government of India on June 14, 2022, and implemented in September 2022. It recruits soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of the armed forces for a four-year period, with these recruits being termed ‘Agniveers’. A core feature of the scheme is that only 25 per cent of Agniveers are retained in the regular cadre after four years, while the remaining 75 per cent are demobilised.
The introduction of the Agnipath scheme initially led to widespread protests across several states due to concerns about job security and pension benefits after the four-year tenure. In response, both the central government and various state governments announced measures to support ex-Agniveers. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced a 50 per cent reservation for ex-Agniveers in recruitment to Constable (General Duty) and Rifleman posts in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles. This central policy also includes age relaxation and exemptions from physical and written examinations for ex-Agniveers.
Several states have also introduced their own reservation policies for Agniveers. Haryana was among the first states to implement reservations in uniformed services, followed by Uttarakhand. In July 2024, states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Arunachal Pradesh also announced reservations for Agniveers in their state police forces and other government jobs. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also urged all states to reserve 20 per cent of jobs for Agniveers for their rehabilitation, with a focus on roles such as forest guards, mining guards, police constables, and firemen.
Assam’s decision aligns with these broader national and state-level efforts to provide a safety net and career opportunities for individuals completing their service as Agniveers.
Key details
The reservation specifically applies to Assam-domiciled ex-Agniveers, meaning only those who are permanent residents of the state will be eligible for the quota. The 12 per cent reservation will be implemented across 11 categories of state government services. These categories predominantly fall under uniformed services, reflecting the nature of training received by Agniveers.
The posts covered include:
- Police Constables (Assam Police, Commando Battalions)
- Jail Wardens (Prison Department)
- Assam Police Radio Organisation (APRO) personnel
- State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Constables
- Firemen (Fire & Emergency Services)
- Forest Guards
- Excise Constables (Excise Department)
The Chief Minister emphasised that the objective is to enable Agniveers to serve their home state after completing their four-year tenure, utilising their military training to enhance state forces.
What’s next
Following the cabinet’s approval, the Assam government is expected to issue detailed notifications and guidelines for implementing this 12 per cent reservation. This will outline the specific application procedures, eligibility criteria, and the recruitment process for ex-Agniveers in the designated state government services. The first batches of Agniveers, recruited after the scheme’s launch in June 2022, are nearing the completion of their four-year service period, making these state-level provisions timely.
Aspirants who are Assam-domiciled ex-Agniveers should monitor official government websites and recruitment portals for further announcements regarding the application window and selection process for these reserved posts. The implementation of this policy will likely coincide with upcoming recruitment drives for the mentioned departments. For instance, the Assam Forest Guard Recruitment 2026 notification, released in January 2026, for 789 vacancies across various departments, could be among the first to incorporate this new reservation.
Quick FAQs
Who is eligible for this reservation?
Only ex-Agniveers who are permanent residents of Assam and have completed their four-year tenure under the Agnipath scheme are eligible for the 12 per cent reservation.
Which government jobs are covered by this reservation?
The reservation applies to 11 categories of state government services, primarily uniformed roles. These include positions in the Assam Police, APRO, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services, Forest Guards, and Excise Department, among others.
Will there be any age relaxation or exam exemptions?
While the central government’s policy for CAPFs and Assam Rifles includes age relaxation and exemptions from physical and written examinations for ex-Agniveers, the specific provisions for age relaxation or exam exemptions for these state government jobs in Assam will be detailed in the upcoming official notifications.