New Delhi

The centre has approved 10 per cent reservation for Agniveers in the Defence Ministry. 

Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh approved the proposal amid ongoing protests against the centre's new defence forces recruitment scheme, Agnipath.

The Defence Ministry tweeted, "Raksha Mantri @rajnathsingh has approved a proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the job vacancies in Ministry of Defence for 'Agniveers' meeting requisite eligibility criteria."

The reservation will be implemented in the Coast Guard and Defence civilian posts, and all the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings, the Defence Ministry added.

The announcement comes days after many parts of the country have been facing widespread violent unrest by youth agitating against the new recruitment policy. Under the new policy only those between the age of 17 and a half and 21 can apply for a four year job on the armed forces. At the end of the four years, only 25 per cent of the eligible recruits will be absorbed till they attain their retirement age.