Supreme Court reserves judgment on Nagaland Excise recruitment issue

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 23

The Supreme Court on September 23 reserved its judgment in the case concerning the recruitment of Excise Constables in Nagaland.

An order issued by Bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Shree Chandrashekhar, after hearing the counsel appearing for the parties stated: “Reserved for judgment/orders. The parties are at liberty to file written submissions within one week from today.”

The matter before the Supreme Court follows a dispute over the State Excise & Prohibition Department’s decision to introduce a written examination in the recruitment process for Excise Constables.

Background
The recruitment began with an advertisement issued on April 7, 2025, for 40 Excise Constable posts, subsequently increased to 46 through an addendum. The original advertisement prescribed a physical test and suitability test (viva-voce). A June 4, 2025 corrigendum subsequently introduced a written examination.

Candidates challenged the introduction of the written test, arguing that the recruitment criteria could not be altered after the process had commenced. A single bench of Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench (GHCKB) in an October 16, 2025 judgment quashed the corrigendum and directed the authorities to proceed according to the original advertisement.

However, following an appeal by the State Government, a GHCKB Division Bench on June 23 set aside the Single Judge’s judgment, holding that the 1999 Nagaland Excise Service (Revised) Rules did not prescribe a detailed procedure for direct recruitment and that the Recruitment Board could devise an appropriate selection method.

It also directed the State authorities to complete the recruitment process initiated through the April 7, 2025 advertisement.

The June 23 judgement was challenged in the Supreme Court.

Earlier on July 7, the Apex Court had directed that status quo be maintained in all respects, the interim was extended on August 31. 
The issue now awaits final the judgment/orders.