Kohima, November 4 (MExN): The Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) has appealed to the public to support its efforts in upholding merit and transparency in the ongoing IAS induction controversy concerning Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) officers.
The JCC released a detailed chronology of events highlighting representations, government notifications, and protest actions dating back to November 2018. According to the timeline, the Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA) first submitted a representation for the inclusion of the NPSC clause in IAS selection for Non-SCS officers in November 2018. Subsequent vacancy circulars were issued in July 2020 and March 2025, with the March 10, 2025 circular being abruptly withdrawn after the application deadline.
The Core Committee, comprising CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA, and NF&ASA, repeatedly wrote to the government seeking clarification and restoration of the vacancy circular. Despite multiple representations, meetings, and press statements, the government is yet to provide a satisfactory resolution. The JCC also conducted protests, including Black Badge/Ribbon campaigns, poster drives, and pen-down strikes, to press for transparency and merit-based induction.
The committee stated that the prolonged delay and inconsistent actions by the government have tested the patience of all stakeholders and stressed that the outcome of this issue will have long-term implications for governance and administrative fairness in the state.
The JCC urged citizens to bear with their sustained campaign, asserting that the fight is aimed at ensuring accountability, meritocracy, and transparency in the IAS induction process.
Chronology of Events
1. Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA) wrote a representation to the Government on 30th November 2018 for insertion of NPSC clause in IAS Selection for Non State Civil Service officers.
2. Vacancy Circular with NPSC clause dated 6th July 2020 issued with the approval of the Chief Minister and accordingly a Non SCS officer was inducted into the IAS.
3. Same Vacancy Circular with the same content issued again on 10th March 2025 which as stated by the Government had been approved by the Chief Secretary only.
4. CANSSEA wrote to the Government on 13th March 2025 acknowledging the Government's commitment towards merit and transparency.
5. Vacancy Circular withdrawn abruptly on the 25th March 2025, one day after the deadline for submission of applications.
6. Cabinet decision on the 27th March 2025 to re-advertise the Vacancy Circular as per Central Guidelines. Vacancy Circular was withdrawn even before the Cabinet decision.
7. Core Committee of CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA and NF&ASA wrote a representation to the Government dated 27th March 2025 seeking clarification with respect to the withdrawal of 10th March 2025 Vacancy Circular after expiry of the period of application without any justifications.
8. Core Committee wrote a representation to the Government on 4th April 2025 stating that the 10th March 2025 Vacancy Circular must be restored.
9. New Vacancy Circular issued by the P&AR Department on 24th April 2025 confining it to Central Guidelines thereby NPSC clause removed by default.
10. Core Committee wrote a representation to the Government dated 28th August 2025 cautioning to resort to democratic forms of agitation if Vacancy Circular dated 10th March 2025 is not restored. No response from the Government. Verbally informed that representation had been put up to the Chief Minister.
11. Screening Committee for finalization of Panel List was scheduled for 25th September 2025 without any response to various representations.
12. Core Committee issued Circular for democratic forms of peaceful agitation by wearing Black Badges/Ribbons with effect from 24th September 2025.
13. Screening Committee for finalization of the Panel List for IAS induction sat on 25th September 2025 while Black Badge/Ribbons protest was ongoing.
14. RTI application submitted to P&AR Department on the 26th September 2025 requesting for disclosure of applicants and Panel List.
15. Poster Campaigns against the actions of the Government initiated on the 29th September 2025.
16. Press Statement issued to the public on the 1st October 2025.
17. Circular for Pen Down Strike issued on 6th October 2025 declaring that it will be initiated for 3 days from the 14th-16th October 2025. No response from the Government.
18. Representation submitted to DOPT and UPSC on the 13th October 2025 apprising them of the issue wherein merit is sought to be compromised.
19. Press Conference with Press Media on 13th October 2025.
20. Circular issued on the 16th October 2025 for extension of Pen Down Strike indefinitely due to no positive response from the Government.
21. Response to Government Spokesperson's Press Statement issued on the 17th October 2025.
22. Meeting with the Chief Secretary and senior bureaucrats on 17th October 2025 and apprised them of our demands and justifications.
23. Cabinet Sub Committee constituted and meeting held with them on the 20th October 2025. No assurance and no positive outcome. Representation submitted to the Cabinet Sub Committee.
24. Circular dated 23rd October 2025 issued for intensification and Tools Down Strike declared from the 27th October 2025.
25. Tools Down Strike kept on hold vide Circular dated 24th October 2025 subsequent to the meeting with the Chief Secretary on the premise that the Cabinet would be deciding on the matter. Pen Down Strike meanwhile continued.
26. RTI submitted to the P&AR Department on 24th October 2025 for disclosure of applicants who had submitted applications based on the 10th March 2025 Vacancy Circular and those who had submitted vide the Vacancy Circular dated 24th April 2025.
27. RTI disclosure received from the Government on 27th October 2025 with respect to the JCC's application dated 26th September 2025.
28. 2nd Representation submitted to the DoPT and UPSC on 29th October 2025 upon receipt of RTI disclosure.
29. Meeting held on the 30th October 2025 with the Chief Secretary and Administrative Heads of Departments, along with all JCC members, where the Government offered a dialogue to the issue and stated that DoPT and UPSC had written back to the State Government to take a decision and submit comments as deemed fit in reply to the representation submitted by the 5 Service Associations.
30. Circular dated 30th October 2025 issued where 3 working days was offered for any dialogue with the Government expiring on 3rd November 2025.
31. 3rd RTI application submitted to the P&AR Department on the 1st November 2025 seeking copies of the reply from the DoPT and UPSC.
32. Reminder Letter submitted to the Government on the 3rd November 2025 for holding of dialogue as offered.
33. With the deadline of 3 days for dialogue having expired on 3rd November 2025, a Circular was issued for escalation and intensifying the agitation from the 6th November 2025 onwards.
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