Madhya Pradesh approves 20% quota for Agniveers in uniformed jobs

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has approved a 20 per cent reservation for Agniveers in several uniformed services, including police, the Special Armed Forces, prisons, forests and excise departments. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday. A government statement said the measure was intended to support youth under the Agnipath scheme.

For constable general duty recruitment in the Home Department, the arrangement includes 20 per cent reservation for Agniveers, 5 per cent for ex-servicemen and 10 per cent for home guards. Similar reservations were approved for posts including SAF personnel, prison guards, forest guards and excise constables. Agniveers are personnel recruited into the armed forces under the Agnipath scheme for four years.

The State saw widespread protests against the scheme in 2022, particularly in the Gwalior-Chambal region, where many young people aspire to join the military. The Cabinet also approved development projects valued at ₹24,500 crore, according to the supplied material. These include ₹4,470.30 crore for a four-lane highway between Damoh and Katni.

Other approved projects include ₹953.69 crore for expanding services at the government medical college in Chhindwara and ₹372.12 crore for a 605-bed district hospital in Singrauli. The source does not specify when the reservation arrangements will take effect, the number of posts covered or the procedure for applying the quotas during individual recruitment exercises. The Cabinet approval is the confirmed decision reported.