Kohima, September 29 (MExN): Upping the ante, several Nagaland service associations have announced the launching of second phase of their protest against the state government’s handling of the induction of Non-SCS (State Civil Services) officers into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
The move follows the convening of the Screening Committee on September 25, 2025, which finalised the IAS select list without restoring the original Vacancy Circular dated March 10, 2025.
Accordingly, the Confederation of All Nagaland State Service Employees’ Association (CANSSEA), along with the Federation of Nagaland State Engineering Service Association (FONSESA), Nagaland Finance & Accounts Services Association (NF&ASA), Nagaland In-Service Doctors Association (NIDA), and Nagaland Secretariat Service Association (NSSA) have announced the initiation of poster campaigns across government offices and public spaces.
The campaign in the State Headquarters, Kohima, is being held according to the recommendations from their joint Core Committee and Action Committee.
The associations described the finalised select list as “totally unacceptable and without merit,” highlighting that the original Vacancy Circular contained key provisions under IAS regulations, including eligibility strictly for officers recruited through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). They contend that the subsequent modified circular effectively allowed officers outside the NPSC to enter the IAS, undermining merit-based selection.
“It is an unfortunate development that political interference in the selection of Non-SCS officers into the IAS has been evident since the day the Cabinet decision replaced the Vacancy Circular dated 10th March 2025,” the associations said in a joint circular on Monday.
Merit begins from the mode of entry into service and the Government has instead sought to supersede merit over personal gratification in every imaginable form, it alleged.
The associations’ objections are directed towards the Government over “attempt to relegate merit to the backstage and filial and political affiliations drive all policy making, to the extent of selecting unmerited officers into the Nation's most premier administrative post,” it added.
According to the circular, various representations are being held up in the web of political establishments.
The associations emphasised that their protest, which had earlier included black ribbon campaigns, would continue through “democratic forms of agitation” until the select list is withdrawn and the original March 10, 2025, Vacancy Circular is fully restored.
