Odisha and UP Announce Reserved Quotas for Agniveers in Uniform Services

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced a 10% reservation for state-ineligible Agniveers in its uniformed services. The initiative, lauded by CM Yogi Adityanath, echoes a similar announcement in Uttar Pradesh, aiming to provide employment and harness the skills of trained youth.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Friday that the state government will offer a 10% reservation in its uniformed services for Agniveers from the state who are not absorbed into the defense forces. Majhi deemed the Agniveer scheme 'historic' in a press statement from the CM’s office.

Speaking to the media at Lokseva Bhawan before departing for Delhi to attend the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting, CM Majhi expressed pride in the country’s soldiers. He emphasized that Agniveers, trained by the defense forces, are well-qualified to serve the nation in various security-related roles.

Majhi highlighted that the Agniveer initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, empowers youth to face life's challenges. Consequently, the Odisha government has decided to recruit Agniveers in state uniformed services, providing a 10% reservation and a five-year age relaxation for them.

Similarly, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced provisions for Agniveers in the recruitment process of the UP Police and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) forces. Adityanath praised the scheme’s potential to benefit from disciplined and trained youth.

Before attending the NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi, Yogi Adityanath criticized opposition efforts to hinder progress surrounding the Agniveer initiative. He highlighted India's rise to the fifth-largest economy under PM Modi's leadership and emphasized ongoing modernization and self-reliance in the Indian Army.