Candidates at an Agniveer recruitment rally in Roorkee are reportedly using dangerous methods to meet the Army’s prescribed height requirement. Some youths from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh have been striking their heads with sticks to create swelling that may affect the measurement.

The candidates are also applying lemon to the injured area, reportedly to keep the swelling in place and avoid detection. Their parents have also been seen supporting the practice. The Army has not disclosed how many candidates are involved.

The recruitment rally is being held at the Pavilion Ground of the Bengal Engineer Group (BEG) and Centre in Roorkee, Haridwar district. The selection process is scheduled to continue from 5 October to 23 October for recruitment year 2027.

Only candidates who passed the online Common Entrance Examination (CEE) held from one to 12 June 2026 are eligible to take part. The rally includes candidates from all 7 districts of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal division and several areas of Uttar Pradesh.

Officials repeat measurements when they have doubts

Colonel Ranjit Singh Pawar, director of the Army Recruiting Office in Lansdowne, said candidates are measured again whenever officials have doubts about their height.

Candidates with long hair are asked to get it cut and return for another measurement. They are given 2 to 2.5 hours before the final check is conducted.

The additional measurement process is intended to address doubts about height, including attempts involving hair or swelling. Recruitment officials have become alert after the reported use of sticks and other unsafe methods.

Rally schedule for Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh

The recruitment programme has been divided by region and category. The schedule provided for the rally includes:

  • On 5 October, candidates from Uttarakhand districts including Almora, Bageshwar, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Champawat and Pithoragarh, along with candidates from several Uttar Pradesh districts, took part in the rally.
  • From 6 to 12 October, the recruitment process was conducted for Clerk and Store Keeper Technical candidates from areas linked to Ayodhya, Meerut, Agra, Lucknow and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
  • On 13 and 14 October, candidates from Uttarkashi and Chamoli were scheduled for recruitment.
  • On 15 October, the schedule covered Tehri Garhwal.
  • On 16 and 17 October, candidates from Pauri Garhwal were scheduled.
  • On 18 October, candidates from Rudraprayag and Dehradun were scheduled.
  • On 19 October, candidates from Dehradun and Haridwar were scheduled.
  • On 20 October, recruitment was scheduled for Agniveer Technical and Tradesman candidates from all 7 Garhwal districts. The Tradesman category includes candidates who have passed 8th or 10th standard.

The process is continuing at the Roorkee venue through 23 October, according to the recruitment details provided.

Warning against unsafe shortcuts and intermediaries

Recruitment authorities have advised candidates to stay away from brokers, middlemen and misleading methods. The process has been described as fair, transparent and based on merit.

The reported head injuries create a serious health risk for candidates seeking to satisfy a physical eligibility condition. Repeated measurement, hair checks and the final assessment remain part of the procedure when officials identify doubts.

Conclusion

The Roorkee rally has drawn attention to dangerous attempts by some candidates to influence height measurements. Officials are responding with repeat checks and have urged applicants to avoid brokers and unsafe methods during the recruitment process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where is the Agniveer recruitment rally being held?

The rally is being held at the Pavilion Ground of the Bengal Engineer Group and Centre in Roorkee, Haridwar district.

Q. When is the selection process scheduled to end?

The recruitment rally is scheduled to continue until 23 October.

Q. Why are some candidates striking their heads?

They are reportedly trying to create swelling that could increase the height recorded during measurement.

Q. What do officials do when they doubt a candidate’s height?

Officials take the measurement again. Candidates with long hair are asked to get it cut and return after 2 to 2.5 hours for another check.

Q. Who is eligible to attend the rally?

Candidates who passed the online CEE held from one to 12 June 2026 are eligible to take part.

Q. Which regions are represented in the rally?

The rally includes candidates from all 7 districts of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal division and several areas of Uttar Pradesh.

Q. What has the Army advised candidates?

Candidates have been advised to avoid brokers, middlemen and dangerous or misleading methods.