Only 13,976 of the 10,84,705 Group C workers in the 34 departments of the federal government are veterans. Only 8,642 of the 3,25,265 Group D workers were former military personnel.
In spite of the 10% Agniveer quota in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Ministry of Defense, and Defense Public Sector Organizations (PSUs), official records reveal a huge gap in the number of ex-servicemen hired in government posts as opposed to the openings allotted for them.
Figures from the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) within the Ministry of Defense’s Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, as of June 30, 2021, are shown here:
In 34 of the 77 Central government departments that provided data to the DGR, ex-servicemen made up just 1.29 percent of the total strength in Group C and 2.66 percent of the overall strength in Group D, despite the 10% and 20% quotas.
A total of 13,976 of the 10,84,705 Group C personnel in the 34 Central government ministries were ex-servicemen. Only 8,642 of the 3,25,265 Group D workers were former military personnel.
When it comes to direct hiring in the CAPF/CPMF, veterans have a 10% preference up to the position of assistant commandant (Central Para Military Forces). Despite this, ex-servicemen make up just a small percentage of the entire strength of the CAPFs/CPMFs as of June 30, 2021 (4,146 of the total 8,81,397), 0.87 percent of Group B (539 of 61,650), and 2.20 percent of Group A. (1,687 of 76,681).
While the RPF, BSF, CRPF, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Assam Rifles gave data to the DGR, the National Security Guard (NSG) didn’t submit their report till May 15, 2021.
Ex-servicemen have a predetermined quota of 14.5 percent in Group C jobs and 24.5 percent in Group D posts in Central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Only 1.15 percent of the Group C strength and 0.3 percent of the Group D strength were ex-servicemen in 94 of the 170 CPSUs that supplied data, according to the DGR.
For direct recruitment in Group C and Group D, public sector banks, which have a 14.5 percent reserve for ex-servicemen, reported significantly higher results. Group C had 9.10 percent (24,733 of the total 2,71,741) ex-servicemen, while Group D had 21.34 percent (22,839 of the total 1,07,009).
At previous sessions, the subject of a lack of ex-servicemen has been discussed. Secretary of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, a senior defense ministry official, and liaison officers from several ministries/departments were in attendance at the June 2 meeting, which was led by the Secretary.
Directorate General Resettlement indicated that “efforts should be made to boost ESM (ex-servicemen) participation” in government ministries by filling the allowed ESM positions, according to meeting records.
For direct or agency recruitment, “DG(R) said that LOs are asked to ensure that ESM positions are clearly stated in the employment circulars/advertisements to be published,” according to the meeting minutes.
Liaison Officer, DoP&T raised the need for coordinated efforts between the training section (for ESM) and recruitment agencies to assess the need for current job market requirements and train the ESM accordingly, as there are some vacancies lying vacant due to a lack of candidates who possess the relevant skill for that particular job.
According to the minutes, “Secy, ESW, and DG(R) acknowledged the matter and assured that due importance would be given to it and that they would try to launch new courses that would impart the necessary skills to ESM.” They also submitted that recruiting agencies should take cognizance of trade equation certificates issued at the time of discharge from the service.
A lack of applications from ESMs, a lack of ESMs who meet the qualifications for these positions, and failure by organizations to implement DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training) orders regarding relaxed standards of selection were cited by DGR sources as the primary reasons for the non-selection of ex-servicemen.
There were 26,39,020 former military members as of June 30, 2021, comprising 22,93,378 Army personnel, 1,38,108 Navy personnel, and 2,07,534 Air Force personnel.
