Agniveer reservation BSF: Modi government’s big decision; 50 percent quota for firemen in BSF

• A significant change in the recruitment process in the Border Security Force
• Decision to increase reservation for firemen from present 10% to 50%
• 50 percent of the total vacancies are reserved for ex-servicemen in BSF recruitment every year

Agniveer reservation BSF: The Central Government has amended the rules related to General Duty Cadre making a significant change in the recruitment process in the Border Security Force. This decision has been taken in exercise of the powers conferred under the Border Security Force, Act, 1968, and these new rules have been named as the Border Security Force, General Duty Cadre (Non-Gazetted) Recruitment (Amendment) Rules, 2025. These rules came into effect from 18 December 2025. The biggest benefit of this change will be the youths who have completed their service under Agneepath Yojana. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, now 50 percent of the total vacancies in BSF recruitment every year will be reserved for ex-servicemen and special age relaxation has been announced. The government says the move is aimed at ensuring that already trained, disciplined and experienced youth join the security forces permanently.

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The first batch of Agnivirs is retiring soon. Modi Government (Central Government) has already made a big announcement for them. The Union Home Ministry has decided to increase the reservation for ex-firemen in Group C posts in the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to 50% from the current 10%. Following the government’s notification of 50% reservation for constable posts in BSF, the Home Ministry has decided to increase reservation for ex-firemen in Group C posts in other CAPFs. However, ex-firemen will be exempted from physical standard test and physical efficiency test.

As per the notification, the concerned candidates will have to face the written test like other regular candidates. The recruitment rules for Group ‘C’ posts in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be amended in a phased manner in the coming days. This is considered a major and significant change from the earlier decision of the ministry to introduce 10 per cent reservation in CAPF for temporary recruitment in the armed forces. (Agniveer Scheme)

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Meanwhile, there were violent protests across the country against the recruitment policy announced in 2022. Even during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, this issue remained widely discussed. Against this backdrop, the ministry announced to reserve 10 percent of the total vacancies in the CAPF for armed forces recruits who have completed four years of service under Agneepath Yojana. Also, it was clarified that there will be relaxation of age limit of five years for the first batch and three years for the subsequent batches. The first batch of firemen will be eligible for CAPF recruitment in 2026.

This will be the new limit

For the post of BSF Constable (GD).
years minimum
Age 18
23 years max

Transparency in the recruitment process; Reservations and opportunities clear

This decision of the government is being seen as a step to strengthen the Agneepath scheme. This change will to some extent remove the uncertainty created about the future of firemen, and will also provide trained manpower to important security forces like the BSF. Meanwhile, the revised rules are expected to bring more transparency and clarity in the recruitment process. It is hoped that now that the reservation and opportunities for various categories of candidates are clearly defined, confusion and disputes in the recruitment process will be reduced. Overall, this change is seen to benefit the security forces as well as the youth.

Increase in Firefighter Reservation: New Recruitment Rules Notified

The Union Ministry on Friday notified the BSF Recruitment Rules (Amendment) 2025 amending the General Duty Cadre (Non-Gazetted) Recruitment Rules of the Border Security Force (BSF). As per these revised rules, 50 per cent of the vacancies in each recruitment year will be reserved for ex-firemen, 10 per cent for ex-servicemen and a maximum of 3 per cent for adjusting annual vacancies in the Combat Constable (Tradesman) cadre.

As per the rules, in the first phase, 50 percent of the vacancies reserved for ex-firemen will be recruited through the nodal force. In the second phase, the remaining 47 per cent vacancies (including 10 per cent ex-servicemen) will be recruited through the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) from eligible candidates other than ex-firemen. This will also include vacancies reserved for ex-firemen in certain categories in the first phase.

Meanwhile, the age limit for recruitment to the post of Constable from BSF Combat Constable (Tradesman) has been increased from 30 years to 35 years, and the minimum service period has been increased from three years to five years. Also, the maximum age limit for deputation in other forces has been increased from 52 years to 56 years. The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) include the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Dal (SSB) and Assam Rifles.