Maharashtra approves 10% horizontal reservation for Agniveers in government jobs

The Maharashtra government has taken a major step to secure the future of the state's Agniveers who return after completing four years of Army service. Agniveers who retire after their tenure will now get 10 per cent horizontal reservation in Maharashtra government jobs. The decision opens a direct route into state government service for thousands of young people returning from the Army.

The proposal was approved at a state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on September 29, 2026. Fadnavis clarified that the decision was taken to rehabilitate Agniveers leaving after four years of military service and to give them a chance in state government service. The Cabinet has formally approved the 10 per cent horizontal reservation in government jobs.

Under the Cabinet decision, the Maharashtra government will frame a special policy to recruit former Agniveers into the state police force and other uniformed government services. The policy provides that, in the relevant recruitment processes, Agniveers will be exempted from taking a fresh examination and from undergoing training again. The General Administration Department (GAD) will prepare the detailed policy and rules.

Under the decision, Agniveers will also get a chance to be appointed to Group-A uniformed services. The state government will lay down service rules and a special appointment procedure for this. It creates a new and direct route for young people with Army experience to secure a respectable government job in Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government has also decided to give Agniveers 20 per cent reservation in the state's uniformed services, to empower young people. The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved it in line with the vision of Chief Minister Dr Yadav. Reservation will apply in recruitment across different departments.

In the Home Department, for constable posts in general duty, there is 10 per cent reservation for Home Guards, 5 per cent for ex-servicemen and 20 per cent for Agniveers. The Special Armed Force has the same proportions: Home Guards 10 per cent, ex-servicemen 5 per cent and Agniveers 20 per cent.

In the Prisons Department, for jail warder posts, Home Guards will get 15 per cent, ex-servicemen 5 per cent and Agniveers 20 per cent. In the Forest Department, for forest guard posts too, 15 per cent has been fixed for Home Guards, 5 per cent for ex-servicemen and 20 per cent for Agniveers.

In the Commercial Tax Department, for excise constable posts, it has been decided to give Home Guards 10 per cent, ex-servicemen 5 per cent and Agniveers 20 per cent horizontal reservation.