MUMBAI: Akhil Bharatiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad (ABPSSP), Maharashtra & Goa States, has wholeheartedly welcomed the important decision of the Maharashtra Government to provide 10% horizontal reservation to ex-Agniveers in government as well as semi-government services. The decision is a significant step towards securing the future of Agniveers and effectively utilising the military training and skills acquired by them in government services.
Maharashtra Cabinet, in its meeting held on 29 Sep 2026, approved the policy of providing 10% horizontal reservation for ex-Agniveers in Group-C uniformed services in the State. The benefit will be available to all ex-Agniveers who are residents of Maharashtra. The services covered include Police, State Reserve Police Force, Prisons, Fire Services, Forest, State Excise and other related uniformed services.
Success of ABPSSP’s sustained efforts
Akhil Bharatiya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad, Maharashtra & Goa, has been consistently pursuing the issue of the future of Agniveers since the inception of the scheme. In June 2025, ABPSSP submitted a representation to Shri Shambhuraj Desai, Minister for Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Government of Maharashtra, requesting suitable opportunities and reservation in Maharashtra Government services for Agniveers completing their four-year tenure. ABPSSP had particularly highlighted that the first batch of Agniveers would complete their four-year service and be released from service from Dec 2026 onwards, making it essential to establish suitable employment opportunities for them well in advance.
Following ABPSSP’s representation and continued follow-up, the Maharashtra Government constituted a high-level committee to examine the modalities for absorbing ex-Agniveers in various government and semi-government services.
Air Vice Marshal Nitin Vaidya (Retd), Vice President, ABPSSP Maharashtra & Goa, was a member of this committee. Representing ABPSSP, he made important contributions towards examining how military training, skills and experience of Agniveers could be effectively utilised in various government services.
10 per cent reservation along with various concessions
As per Cabinet decision, 10% horizontal reservation has been provided for ex-Agniveers. Concessions have also been provided in the recruitment process, including relaxation in the upper age limit, exemption from written examinations and necessary concessions in physical eligibility criteria. The policy also takes into consideration the fact that ex-Agniveers have already undergone military training during their service and therefore, such training need not be repeated, although job-specific training required for a particular post may continue to be applicable. The decision will provide young men and women completing four years of service in the Armed Forces an opportunity to build their second career by utilising the qualities and skills acquired during military service, including discipline, leadership, technical expertise, physical fitness, teamwork and experience in handling emergencies and challenging situations.
Government to benefit from trained manpower
According to Air Marshal Pradeep Bapat, President, ABPSSP Maharashtra & Goa, the decision will benefit not only ex-Agniveers but also the Maharashtra Govt by providing it with a pool of highly trained, disciplined and experienced manpower.
An Agniveer completing four years of military service possesses qualities such as physical fitness, discipline, time management, teamwork, leadership, technical skills and the ability to take decisions in challenging and emergency situations.
Utilising such trained manpower in the Police, Fire Services, Forest Department, Prisons, State Excise, coastal security and other uniformed services can significantly contribute to the efficiency of government services.
The Maharashtra Government has also adopted a positive approach towards utilising ex-AgniVeers from the Indian Navy in coastal security, where their specialised training and experience can be particularly relevant.
Welcomed by ex-servicemen organisations
The decision of the Maharashtra Govt has been wholeheartedly welcomed by several ex-servicemen organisations and the ex-servicemen community across the State. They have congratulated and thanked ABPSSP for taking the initiative and consistently pursuing the issue of employment opportunities and reservation for Agniveers.
The decision will provide Agniveers with an opportunity for a dignified and meaningful “second innings” after their military service. At the same time, their military training and experience will be utilised for the security of society and for strengthening the efficiency of government administration.
ABPSSP thanks Maharashtra govt
ABPSSP Maharashtra & Goa State has expressed its gratitude to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Ministers, Shri Shambhuraj Desai, Minister for Ex-Servicemen Welfare, the Chief Secretary, senior officials and all members of the committee for this important decision.
ABPSSP has stated that from its representation in Jun 2025 to the Cabinet decision of 29 Sep 2026, the Govt has considered the issue progressively and taken a policy decision that will have a significant impact on the future of Agniveers.
“An Agniveer is not merely a young person who has served for four years; he or she is a trained and disciplined human resource shaped through service to the nation. Providing suitable opportunities in the second innings is a need for the Agniveer, while utilising these skills for the Government and society is also in the larger national interest. The decision taken by the Maharashtra Govt both these objectives together,” said Air Vice Marshal Nitin Vaidya (Retd).
ABPSSP Maharashtra & Goa has reiterated its resolve to continue its constructive and sustained engagement with the Government for the welfare of Ex-Servicemen, Veer Naris and Agniveers.
