In a major boost for the rehabilitation and employment prospects of young military veterans exiting the armed forces after four years of service, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu has approved a 20 percent horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers in direct recruitments across two key Delhi government departments. This policy decision significantly clears the pathway for ex-Agniveers to secure permanent government jobs within the Delhi Fire Service and the Prison Department. Following administrative guidelines issued by the Central Government, the Delhi Home Department has published the formal notification incorporating these reservation provisions into the recruitment framework.
Targeted Posts and Constitutional Rule Amendment
According to the official notification issued by the Delhi administration, the 20 percent horizontal quota will apply to direct recruitment drives for specific operational roles across both identified departments. In the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), the quota covers the position of Fire Operator. Within the Prison Department, the reservation applies directly to the posts of Warder and Matron. To enact these structural changes, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu exercised the constitutional powers vested in him under Article 309 of the Constitution of India, formally amending the statutory recruitment rules governing these cadre posts.
Upper Age Limit Relaxation of 3 to 5 Years
Beyond the reserved vacancy quotas, the administration has extended substantial age relaxations to enable ex-Agniveers to compete effectively for public employment. Under standard terms, all ex-Agniveers will receive a 3 year relaxation above the prescribed upper age limit set for general candidate recruitments. Furthermore, a higher concession has been granted to veterans belonging to the pioneer or first batch of the Agniveer scheme, who will be eligible for an upper age limit relaxation of up to 5 years. This measure ensures that returning service personnel are not disqualified due to age boundaries during civilian recruitment transitions.
Concessions in Physical Efficiency Test and Vacancy Filling Norms
Recognizing the demanding physical requirements of fire emergency response and correctional facility management, specific provisions have been made regarding fitness evaluations. The order clarifies that the precise extent and standards of relaxation provided to ex-Agniveers in the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) will be determined independently by the respective recruiting departments based on functional needs. Additionally, the notification specifies that if an adequate number of qualified ex-Agniveers are not available during a particular recruitment drive, the remaining unfilled positions will be filled in strict accordance with the horizontal reservation guidelines established by the Government of India.
Alignment with Central Paramilitary Quotas and Broader Vision
This initiative by the Delhi government aligns with the broader policy vision of the Central Government to systematically absorb ex-Agniveers into paramilitary organizations, state police forces, and municipal emergency services. The Delhi Home Department issued the notification following a reference letter dispatched by the Union Home Secretary on 25 March 2026. At the national level, the Ministry of Home Affairs has already designated a 50 percent reservation quota for ex-Agniveers in the recruitment of Constable (General Duty) and Rifleman across the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles. The implementation of this 20 percent quota in Delhi establishes an additional career safety net for retiring military personnel.
