Haryana Revises Reservation Policy for Ex-Agniveers in Government Jobs

Chandigarh, July 21: The Haryana Government has released revised guidelines to implement its reservation policy for former Agniveers, detailing how the existing 20 per cent quota will be distributed among different social categories in direct recruitment for selected government posts. The move is aimed at ensuring greater clarity and consistency in recruitment while continuing the state’s commitment to providing employment opportunities to ex-Agniveers.

The revised instructions, issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, partially amend the government’s earlier order dated August 20, 2025. While the total reservation for ex-Agniveers remains unchanged at 20 per cent, the latest notification introduces a category wise allocation for recruitment to the posts of Forest Guard in the Environment, Forests and Wildlife Department, Prison Warder in the Prisons Department, and Mining Guard in the Department of Mines and Geology.

Under the updated framework, the reservation has been divided into specific categories to ensure equitable representation. Of the total 20 per cent quota, 2 per cent has been earmarked for Deprived Scheduled Castes (DSC), 2 per cent for Other Scheduled Castes (OSC), 3 per cent for Backward Class-A (BC-A), 2 per cent for Backward Class-B (BC-B), 2 per cent for candidates belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), while the remaining 9 per cent has been reserved for the Unreserved category.

Officials said the revised instructions also introduce separate roster points for each category, a step expected to streamline recruitment procedures and ensure uniform implementation of the reservation policy across departments.

The Human Resources Department has directed all concerned authorities to strictly follow the revised provisions during future recruitment exercises. Copies of the updated instructions have been circulated to Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Managing Directors of Boards and Corporations, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as well as Registrars of all state universities.

The latest notification builds upon Haryana’s broader initiative to support the rehabilitation and employment of ex-Agniveers after their service under the Agnipath scheme. The state had previously introduced horizontal reservation for eligible ex-Agniveers who are permanent residents of Haryana in selected Group ‘C’ government posts.

In April 2026, the Haryana Cabinet approved an increase in the reservation quota for former Agniveers from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, significantly expanding employment opportunities in state government services. The decision reflected the government’s intention to utilise the skills, discipline and experience gained by Agniveers during their military service.

The reservation policy is part of the Haryana Agniveer Policy, 2024, which was introduced to facilitate the rehabilitation of former Agniveers by providing career opportunities in departments where their training and operational expertise are considered valuable.

Earlier, only a 10 per cent horizontal reservation was available for eligible ex-Agniveers in select Group ‘C’ positions such as Forest Guard, Prison Warder and Mining Guard. The enhancement to 20 per cent followed recommendations from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which advised states to increase reservation for ex-Agniveers in services where their military background could be effectively utilised.

State officials believe that the revised category wise allocation and roster mechanism will improve transparency in recruitment and ensure that reservation benefits are implemented uniformly across all eligible departments. The move is expected to strengthen Haryana’s employment framework for former Agniveers while supporting their transition into civilian government service.