Why Recruiting 'Agniveers' In Armed Police Forces Will Be A Challenge

Jawans in Central Armed Police Forces have different duties, including VVIP security and frisking passengers in metros and at airports, which are not part of the armed forces' profile.

Two days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that preference would be given to 'Agniveers' in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the various wings of the paramilitary force have received no clear directions over to proceed forward with recruitment under the 'Agnipath' scheme.

Currently, over 73,000 posts are vacant in five wings of the paramilitary forces - Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Shastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

As many as 73,219 posts are vacant in CAPFs and Assam Rifles, suggests Union Home ministry data. Besides, 18,124 posts are also vacant in police forces in Union Territories.

"It is not clear as to whether these 'Agniveers' would be employed under the ex-servicemen category rule or some other rule," said a senior officer.