Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 9
The Government of Nagaland has notified that 1,313 members of the Rongmei Tribe permanently settled in the State, along with their direct descendants, ‘may be’ issued Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates, with a caveat.
The certificates will be valid only for availing reservation benefits in Central Government employment and Central educational institutions.
The ST certificate “shall not entitle the said 1,313 members of the Rongmei Tribe and their direct descendants to any reservation, concession or benefits specifically reserved for the Scheduled Tribes indigenous to the State of Nagaland,” stated the notification issued by the State Home Department, Government of Nagaland, on May 8.
The beneficiaries include members of the Rongmei community enumerated and compiled by a State Government committee constituted on September 28, 2007 in Kohima, Peren, and the erstwhile Dimapur district, along with their direct descendants.
According to the notification, the issuance of the certificates was based on their recognition as ST of Manipur and their permanent settlement in Nagaland.
Eligible members may apply for the ST certificate to the respective Deputy Commissioners of Kohima, Peren, and the erstwhile undivided Dimapur district (including Chümoukedima and Niuland), it said.
The certificates will be issued after due verification by the concerned Deputy Commissioners, it added.
Only for employment and educational reservation under Union
The State Government clarified that the certificates are being issued solely to enable the enumerated Rongmei members and their descendants to avail ST reservation benefits in Government employment and admission to educational institutions under the Union Government.
However, the notification explicitly stated that the certificate will not entitle them to any reservation, concession, or benefits specifically reserved for Scheduled Tribes indigenous to Nagaland.
It further stated that applicants must apply only in the district where their names were originally enumerated by the committee constituted in 2007.
The notification further cautioned that any person found obtaining or attempting to obtain the certificate through misrepresentation or fraud would be liable for cancellation of the certificate and prosecution under applicable laws.
The Deputy Commissioner has been empowered to cancel such certificates after inquiry, while appeals against such decisions may be made before the Commissioner, Nagaland.
The notification, appended by Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen and Principal Secretary, Home, Abhijit Sinha, stated that its provisions would prevail over any earlier State Government notification on the matter.
According to the order, the decision was taken following approval by the State Cabinet in its meeting held on February 26, 2026, and subsequently conveyed by the Cabinet Secretariat on March 12, 2026.
