Overview
- The gazette notification amends BSF General Duty Cadre recruitment rules and introduces a two-phase intake, with the Nodal Force handling the ex-Agniveer quota first and the Staff Selection Commission filling remaining posts afterward.
- Ex-Agniveers are exempt from the Physical Standard and Physical Efficiency Tests but must clear a written examination, with Class X as the minimum educational requirement.
- The first cohort of ex-Agniveers receives up to five years of upper age relaxation, with up to three years for subsequent batches.
- Vacancies are apportioned at 50% for ex-Agniveers, 10% for ex-servicemen, and up to 3% for absorption of combatised constables (tradesmen).
- Officials say the change will not alter the existing caste-based reservation matrix, the horizontal-or-vertical modality is still being worked out, and an ex-paramilitary association has warned of reduced opportunities for civilian aspirants and training mismatches.