250-plus former Navy Agniveers join Maharashtra Coastal Police without fresh exam

More than 250 former Agniveers of the Indian Navy have now got jobs in Maharashtra's Coastal Police force. The state government initiative aims to provide employment to those who have completed a four-year military tenure. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced it in Nagpur on Friday. He said the appointments are being made without any additional recruitment examination.

The decision is part of Maharashtra's efforts to place former Agniveers in the state police and the government's other security forces. Those who have completed their fixed service in the armed forces and wish to continue a career in policing are being brought in under the initiative.

The first batch of recruits has been drawn from the Indian Navy. Their deployment is meant to strengthen Maharashtra's coastal security arrangements. Their earlier military training and operational experience is expected to help with maritime surveillance and security duties along the state's coastline.

According to Fadnavis, the recruits had already gone through a rigorous selection process and extensive training during their military service. It was stated that their professional experience and acquired skills were recognised while determining their eligibility for direct recruitment to the police force. The Chief Minister also said the specific needs of coastal policing were kept in mind while implementing the initiative.

People with a Navy background were considered suitable for the force because they are well versed in maritime operations and security procedures. Existing recruitment rules were amended to ease the appointments. These changes made it possible to induct former Agniveers directly, without another examination or completion of a training programme.

Fadnavis clarified that the armed forces' selection standards were taken into account while framing the recruitment rules. Since these men had already cleared demanding military assessments and had served in the armed forces, further testing was not considered necessary. Appointment orders were later issued to the selected candidates.

The recruitment follows an announcement last month in which the Chief Minister spoke of absorbing former Agniveers into the Maharashtra Police and the state government's other forces. It was then said that eligible people who complete four years of service would be given opportunities without new examinations or training.

The latest appointments have been described as the first implementation of the policy under which former Navy personnel are being taken into the Coastal Police force. The initiative aims to help them move into civilian government jobs, while also putting their existing military skills and experience to use in Maharashtra's maritime security operations.