The Union government has directed states to ensure private security agencies and training institutes prioritise hiring ‘Agniveers’ once they complete their four-year term in the armed forces
The Indian Union government has moved to secure the post-service careers of soldiers enlisted under the Agnipath scheme, issuing a directive that mandates state authorities to give preference to ex-Agniveers in the private security sector.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the directive on September 11, specifically targeting private security agencies and training institutes governed by the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act. The move is aimed at supporting the career progression of the first batch of Agniveers, who are due to complete their four-year tenure next year.
Under the Agnipath short-term recruitment scheme, citizens aged 17-and-a-half to 21 are recruited for a four-year term in the military, after which 75 per cent are demobilised, while the remaining 25 per cent are retained for an additional 15 years.
Sensitising Industry
The home ministry’s letter instructs state-level authorities to “sensitise” top private security providers and actively encourage them to employ the former soldiers. The directive cited the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act, which already stipulates that preference in employment should be given to individuals with prior experience in the armed forces, police, or home guards.
“Agniveers have an experience of about four years in service,” the letter stated, according to reports. “Hence, they may be given preference by the private security agencies during engagement/employment of private security guards and supervisors.”
The ministry’s Police-II Division has also been tasked with developing a system to ensure that major entities that outsource security services—including government departments, banks, and other corporations hire personnel from the pool of former Agniveers, effectively broadening the scope of the mandate beyond just the security industry.
