“The Agniveers in the Navy can be used to secure the seaports. We will make a blueprint, and a committee is studying the aspects,” CISF D-G Praveer Ranjan said. FIle
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Director-General Praveer Ranjan said on Monday (January 19, 2026) that an internal committee had been formed to determine the responsibilities that would be assigned to former Agniveers who are absorbed into the force.
The officer said they were awaiting instructions from the Union Home Ministry on the reservation percentage for Agniveers in the CISF and also on the pattern of reservation to be followed, whether horizontal or vertical.
The government launched the Agnipath recruitment scheme in June 2022, under which candidates are enrolled into the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force as Agniveers for four years. Of them, 25% are retained after four years, while the remaining 75% exit the services.
Subsequently, the Home Ministry announced that 10% of all vacancies in the Central Armed Police Forces would be reserved for Agniveers who have completed four years of service. The first batch of such Agniveers is set to exit the services in the coming months.
The Hindu earlier reported that the Ministry had decided to enhance reservation for former Agniveers in the Group C posts of all CAPFs from the existing 10% to 50%.
On December 19, 2025, the Home Ministry notified that 50% vacant constable posts in the Border Security Force (BSF) would be reserved for ex-Agniveers.
Mr. Ranjan said the Ministry had decided to assimilate Agniveers into the force. “We are looking into the induction protocol. They can be used for port security. The Agniveers in the Navy can be used to secure the seaports. We will make a blueprint, and a committee is studying the aspects,” Mr. Ranjan said..
Coastal cyclothon
Briefing about the “Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon 2026”, the D-G said that Indian coasts were “very porous” and there was a need to reach out to the coastal communities that would help in gathering information and strengthen national security.
India has 250 seaports and the CISF has been assigned with safeguarding 12 major ports and other critical infrastructure along the coastline.
The Home Ministry recently announced the setting up of Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) that would formulate a standardised security protocol for all seaports in the country.
Stating about recent drug seizures at major seaports, the officer said, “There is an organised and systematic approach by the government to reach out to places where such activities are taking place. This outreach helps us in getting information and helping in national security.”
As part of the cyclothon, two teams of 130 CISF personnel will cycle along 6,553 kilometre of India’s coastline covering 72 districts to sensitise local people about the threats emanating from the smuggling of drugs, weapons and explosives, said Sonia Narang, Inspector-General, CISF. The 25-day expedition will commence simultaneously from two locations in Gujarat and West Bengal on January 28.
Published – January 19, 2026 10:40 pm IST
