20% Reservation Approved in Police, Forest, Prison, and Transport Departments

In a landmark decision aimed at securing the professional future of young military veterans, the Uttar Pradesh government under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has cleared major amendments to state recruitment rules. Approved during a cabinet meeting in Lucknow on Friday, October 9, 2026, the new policy establishes a 20 percent reservation for former Agniveers in key state government departments, opening streamlined pathways for disciplined personnel to continue serving the nation.

20 Percent Reservation Across Four Key Departments

The newly approved framework ensures that youth who have completed their service tenure under the central government's Agniveer scheme receive structured employment priority within Uttar Pradesh:

• Targeted Sectors: Former Agniveers will be eligible for a 20 percent quota in direct recruitment across the police, forest, prison, and transport departments, distributed according to their original reservation categories.

• Streamlined Recruitment Process: To fast-track their transition into civil administration, the government has granted exemptions from both written and physical examinations. Eligible candidates will only be required to clear a standard medical examination, leveraging their existing military training and physical standards.

Age Relaxation Extended to 28 Years

Recognizing the timeline of service completion since the inception of the Agniveer recruitment cycle in 2022, the state cabinet has introduced crucial relaxations in age limits:

• Upper Age Limit Raised: The maximum age limit for former Agniveers applying for these state positions has been extended from 25 to 28 years, providing a comfortable three-year grace window for applicants.

• Honoring Military Experience: State Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh noted that the policy bridges the gap between military service and civilian employment, allowing young men equipped with defense training and high discipline to seamlessly transition into state administrative roles.