Nagaland advocacy groups demand transparent government recruitment

The Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) and the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) have called for transparent recruitment and fair competition in government appointments. During a public discussion in Kohima, representatives addressed concerns regarding prolonged contractual appointments and recruitment procedures within state agencies, including the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB).

NNQF highlighted a legal battle initiated in 2019 against alleged backdoor and contractual appointments in the higher education department. The forum argued that such appointments, often made without proper advertisement, violate Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, which guarantee the rights to equality and equal opportunity. NNQF noted that some contractual positions had reportedly continued for over a decade without meeting prescribed qualifications or UGC norms.

Following previous dismissals on technical grounds, a division bench issued a judgment on September 23, 2026, which the NNQF described as a landmark ruling. The judgment reportedly quashed previous rulings and held that contractual appointments should only be made when absolutely necessary. The court directed authorities to create required posts and advertise them, stating there would be no further extensions of existing contractual appointments beyond July 2027.