Source: The Tribune
You trained around aircraft, ships or weapons for four years. Now you want to build or repair them as a civilian. Defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) such as HAL and BEL do exactly that work. The DPSU Agniveer reservation is a 10% share, much lower than the 50% in the CAPFs. Here is what is confirmed, and what you must check in each notice.
What was announced
On 18 June 2022 the Defence Minister approved 10% of job vacancies in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for Agniveers. The Tribune report says it applies to the Indian Coast Guard, defence civilian posts and all 16 DPSUs. It is in addition to the reservation for ex-servicemen. The ministry said it would amend the rules, and DPSUs would be advised to do the same.
We searched for any later increase and found none as of October 2026. The 50% jump applies to CAPF constable and Assam Rifles Rifleman posts only. Because each DPSU makes its own rules, a quota announced in 2022 may not appear in every notice. Always look for the word Ex-Agniveer.
The 16 DPSUs
- HAL, BEL, BEML and BDL
- Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Goa Shipyard, Hindustan Shipyard and Mazagon Dock
- Mishra Dhatu Nigam (Midhani)
- Seven companies formed from the old Ordnance Factory Board: Armoured Vehicles Nigam, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India, Munitions India, Yantra India, Gliders India, India Optel and Troop Comforts
Apprentice jobs are not the same as the quota
Many DPSU notices are for apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. An apprenticeship is training, not a permanent job. HAL’s Nasik division issued a 2026 notice for 627 apprentice posts. Its official website lists current notices. The stipends in that notice were:
| Apprentice type | Stipend per month (Rs.) |
| Graduate apprentice | 12,300 |
| Diploma (technician) apprentice | 10,900 |
| ITI apprentice, trade of 2 years or more | 11,040 |
| ITI apprentice, 1-year trade | 10,560 |
Reports say the selection in that drive was by merit and document checks, with no written exam. Other drives differ. Also remember that Agniveers do not get ex-servicemen status, so do not assume ESM seats are open to you. Check whether a notice lists Ex-Agniveer on its own.
How to apply
- Open the website of the DPSU you like and find its careers page.
- Read the notice for the line on Ex-Agniveer reservation and age relaxation.
- Check the gap rule. Some notices limit how long ago you finished your qualification.
- Keep your discharge certificate and service record ready.
- Apply on time through the portal the notice names. Some apprentice drives use government apprenticeship portals.
Why DPSU jobs suit ex-Agniveers
Many DPSU jobs involve making or servicing defence equipment. That links well to the technical work many Agniveers did. A trade certificate can help too. Our guide to NSQF equivalence for Agniveers explains what your service certificates may count for.
How to use the DPSU Agniveer reservation well
A 10% share sounds small, but DPSU jobs are specialised. Fewer people qualify for them, and your service trade may match the work directly. Treat the DPSU Agniveer reservation as one option in a wider plan, not your only plan.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming 10% means 10% of apprentice seats. An apprenticeship is training under the Apprentices Act, and its seats follow that law’s rules.
- Expecting the same 50% as CAPF jobs. We found no increase for DPSUs.
- Missing the gap rule. Some notices limit the time since you finished a diploma or degree.
- Applying on a fake website. Use only the company’s own address, such as the HAL or BEL site.
- Forgetting that each DPSU runs its own hiring and dates.
Which trades fit which DPSU?
| Company type | Example work |
| Aircraft and electronics | HAL and BEL: aircraft, radars, electronics |
| Shipyards | Mazagon Dock, GRSE, Goa Shipyard, Hindustan Shipyard: ships and submarines |
| Ordnance companies | Munitions India, Armoured Vehicles Nigam: ammunition and vehicles |
| Special metals | Midhani: metals and alloys for defence |
If your Agniveer trade was in electronics, mechanics or vehicles, the match is closest. A trade certificate, diploma or ITI can make your application stronger. Our guide to skill certificates Agniveers receive explains how to use what you already hold.
Build a simple application folder
Keep one folder with your Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets, any ITI or diploma certificate, service record, discharge certificate and photographs. When a DPSU notice opens, you can apply the same day. This one habit matters more than most people think.
A short example
Take Sunil, who worked on vehicle maintenance in his Agniveer trade. He has an ITI certificate. He watches the HAL and Armoured Vehicles Nigam sites, and when an apprentice drive opens he checks the eligibility and the gap rule. He knows that the DPSU Agniveer reservation depends on each company’s own notice. So he reads each one before he applies, and keeps scanned documents ready.
Key points on the DPSU Agniveer reservation
- The share is 10% and was announced in June 2022.
- It covers the Coast Guard, defence civilian posts and 16 DPSUs.
- Each company writes its own rules and notices.
- Apprenticeships are training, not permanent jobs.
Do not pay anyone who promises a DPSU job. Genuine notices are free to read on the company website, and any fee is paid online to the company.
In short, the DPSU Agniveer reservation is a 10% share announced in 2022, and each company decides how to apply it. Read every notice for an Ex-Agniveer line before you count on the DPSU Agniveer reservation. A clear plan makes the DPSU Agniveer reservation far easier to use.
Pay for regular staff jobs is set by each company. We do not quote it here because we could not confirm a current figure from an official notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is there Agniveer reservation in DPSUs like HAL and BEL?
A1: Yes. The 2022 announcement named all 16 DPSUs for a 10% share. Check each notice for the Ex-Agniveer line.
Q2: Has the share increased to 50%?
A2: We found no increase for DPSUs. The 50% rule is for CAPF constable and Assam Rifles Rifleman posts.
Q3: What does a HAL apprentice earn?
A3: In the 2026 HAL Nasik notice, stipends ran from Rs. 10,560 to Rs. 12,300 a month, by type.
Q4: Is an apprenticeship a permanent job?
A4: No. It is a training period under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
Q5: Do ex-servicemen seats apply to Agniveers?
A5: Not automatically. Navy notices say Agniveers do not get ex-servicemen status.
Q6: Where do I find DPSU notices?
A6: On each company’s own website, for example the HAL careers page.
Q7: Where can I find reliable updates on the DPSU Agniveer reservation?
A7: Use official notices only. Check the official websites linked in this article each month for any change to the DPSU Agniveer reservation.
Q8: What should I do first about the DPSU Agniveer reservation?
A8: Read the official notice that applies the DPSU Agniveer reservation, then keep your documents scanned and ready.
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Related Reading
- For more details on a related service, read our Coast Guard Agniveer reservation guide.
- A good next step is our article on Ordnance Factory and DRDO jobs after Agniveer.
- If you need a trade qualification, start with ITI and polytechnic options.
- For more details, visit our Agniveer Info transition hub page.
