Expanding government employment opportunities for ex-Agniveers, the Haryana government has decided to provide 20 percent horizontal reservation for government positions in direct recruitment. In addition, 5 percent horizontal reservation has been provided for other Group C positions and 1 percent for Group B positions related to skill specialization.
Detailed instructions in this regard were issued today by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi. The new system will come into effect from September 1, 2026.
The 20 per cent horizontal reservation will be applicable to the posts of Police Constable under the Home Department, Constable in Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), Constable in State Disaster Response Force (SDRDF), Forest Guard, Warden in Prison Department, Mining Guard, Wildlife Guard and Fire Operator-cum-Driver.
Under the 20 percent horizontal reservation for these posts, 2 percent reservation has been fixed for deprived Scheduled Castes, 2 percent for other Scheduled Castes, 3 percent for BC-A, 2 percent for BC-B, 2 percent for EWS and 9 percent for unreserved category.
Similarly, 5 percent horizontal reservation will be provided for former Agniveers in all Group C positions, except for designated special positions. This 5 percent reservation includes 1 percent each for Disadvantaged Scheduled Castes and Other Scheduled Castes, 1 percent each for BC-A and BC-B as per prescribed provisions, and the remaining 3 percent for EWS and unreserved categories.
A one percent horizontal reservation has been established for former Agniveers in Group B positions related to skill specialization. This is intended to recognize skills acquired during military service and training in government recruitment.
After completion of the recruitment process, ex-Agniveers will be selected on the basis of merit in their respective category and they will be selected against the reserved post of their respective vertical category.
If a suitable ex-Agniveer is not available for the reserved post, the concerned post may be filled by a suitable candidate from the same vertical reservation category as per the applicable rules.
In a significant relief to former firefighters, they are exempted from the Physical Screening Test (PST) required for the positions of Police Constable, Forest Guard, Warder, Mining Guard, and Wildlife Guard. However, former firefighters will be required to appear for a written examination as determined by the recruiting agency.
The existing exemption from the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for former Agniveers for recruitment to Group C posts will continue. Furthermore, they will be exempted from the skill test related to the skills acquired during their training for the advertised position. However, the prescribed written examination will remain mandatory. These exemptions will be granted when applying for the respective posts under the advertisement issued by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission.
These directives incorporate all amendments issued from time to time regarding reservations for former Agniveers. The previous directives issued on August 20, 2025, and July 20, 2026, have been withdrawn.
