Mumbai

The Maharashtra government will accommodate returning Agniveers, who have completed their four-year military tenure, in police and other state government forces, with exemptions from fresh examinations and training, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday.

Fadnavis said the first batch of Agniveers was now completing its tenure and returning from the armed forces.

"The Centre has stipulated that 25 per cent of Agniveers would continue in the armed forces, while the remaining 75 per cent should be absorbed in various forces of the central and state governments," he told reporters after the weekly cabinet meeting.

"Maharashtra has decided that Agniveers (not retained in armed forces) will be accommodated in police and similar posts available in the state government forces," Fadnavis said.

Under the 2022 Agnipath scheme, the Centre will retain 25 per cent of Agniveers in the armed forces, while the remaining 75 per cent will be released from service. Recruits under the scheme, known as Agniveers, serve for a total duration of four years, which includes 6 months of training.

Former Agniveers would not be required to appear for another recruitment examination or undergo fresh training as they had already undergone test and training during their four-year service, said the CM, who also holds the Home portfolio.

However, certain specific training requirements could apply to them depending on the posts they are being absorbed in, Fadnavis maintained.

"For example, if an Agniveer joins as a fireman, he may have to undergo three months of training in a year. Such requirements will apply to them," he insisted.

Former Agniveers will also get a four-year relaxation in the upper age limit in recruitments, the CM stated.

If there are not enough vacant posts, the government will consider creating additional posts to accommodate ex-Agniveers who want to join state services, he said.

"In particular, Agniveers coming from the Navy are required for coastal security. As a special measure, we have decided to accommodate as many eligible Agniveers as possible in coastal security," Fadnavis said.

He noted Maharashtra has already provided 10 per cent reservation for former Agniveers (in state government jobs) and that they would also be given priority against vacancies under the ex-servicemen category.

"Our estimate is that among the Agniveers returning to Maharashtra (after four-year military term), those who wish to join state services will be given an opportunity, and the government will make use of their experience," the CM opined.

On protests over Scheduled Castes (SCs) sub-classification, Fadnavis asserted everyone has the right to protest in a democracy, but maintained that claims and examples cited during such agitations should be examined for their factual correctness.

"In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest. I will not criticise that. But we need to understand how genuine is the issue on which the protest is being held," he said.

Fadnavis insisted his government wanted to implement SC sub-classification in accordance with the Supreme Court's order while ensuring that it did not create conflict among communities.

"Our effort is to build a consensus on how the benefits of reservation can reach those people from the Scheduled Castes who have not received the quota benefits," he said.

In a majority verdict in 2024, the Supreme Court said states are empowered to make sub-classifications of SCs/STs for granting quotas inside the reserved category to uplift more underprivileged castes.

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On the October 4 march in Mumbai announced by MNS president Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray against the Election Commission, Fadnavis said protesting was a democratic right, but emphasized that issues and examples cited during such agitations should be examined for their factual basis.