Odisha frames rules for Agniveer reservation in state jobs

Bhubaneswar, Oct 4: The Governor of Odisha has established new rules on Friday to reserve 10 percent of positions in the state’s Uniformed Services for retired Agniveer personnel, exercising powers under Article 309 of the Constitution. These regulations, titled the Odisha Retired Agniveers (Employment in Uniformed Services) Regulations, 2024, will take effect upon publication in the Odisha Gazette.

According to these regulations, “Retired Agniveers” refers to individuals who have served four years in the armed forces under the Government of India's Agniveers Recruitment Scheme. Meanwhile, “Retired Soldiers” are defined by the Retired Soldiers (Employment in State Civil Service and Posts) Regulations, 1985. The term “Uniform Service” includes various departments such as police, forestry, fire services, and any other services designated by the government.

The regulations provide for a 10 percent horizontal reservation for retired Agniveers in all ‘C’ and ‘D’ category positions filled through direct recruitment, in addition to a separate 10 percent reservation for retired servicemen. Additionally, the age limit for these positions will be increased by three years for retired Agniveers. Furthermore, they will be exempt from the physical fitness test as part of the recruitment process.