n a significant move aimed at honouring military service and enhancing post-service opportunities for youth, the Uttar Pradesh Government on Tuesday approved 20 per cent reservation for Agniveers in direct recruitment to various positions in the state police force.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Announcing the decision, Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the reservation policy is designed to support Agniveers — soldiers who complete their four-year service under the Centre’s Agnipath scheme — by offering them stable employment options after their military tenure.
“This is a landmark decision. The 20 per cent horizontal reservation will apply across all categories — General, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC). If an Agniveer belongs to the SC category, the reservation will be applicable within that category, and similarly for OBC and others,” Khanna explained.
In addition to the reservation, eligible Agniveers will also receive an age relaxation of up to three years for recruitment into the police force.
The recruitment will cover four categories: Civil Police Constable, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) Constable, Mounted Police, and Fireman. The first batch of Agniveers eligible for this reservation is expected to be released in 2026.
Khanna highlighted that other states like Haryana and Odisha have already offered 10 per cent reservation for Agniveers. “Uttar Pradesh has taken a bold and generous step by approving 20 per cent horizontal reservation,” he said.
This move not only acknowledges the service of Agniveers but also ensures their continued contribution to internal security and public order,” he said.
The Agnipath scheme, introduced by the Central government in 2022, provides for the short-term induction of personnel into the Army, Navy, and Air Force with the aim of reducing the average age of armed forces personnel and infusing young talent into the defence sector.