Centre enhances Nagaland Notary Public quota to 400

In a significant boost to Nagaland’s legal infrastructure, the Ministry of Law and Justice has amended the Notaries Rules, 1956, enhancing the State’s quota of Notary Publics from 200 to 400.
According to an official notification issued by the Department of Legal Affairs, Government of India, and signed by Additional Secretary (Legal Affairs), Ashutosh Mishra, the amendment—The Notaries (Amendment) Rules, 2025—came into effect following its publication in the Official Gazette on October 17, 2025.
Under the revised Schedule to the Notaries Rules, Nagaland’s quota has been increased from “200” to “400.” Similar enhancements were made for Gujarat (2,900 to 6,000), Tamil Nadu (2,500 to 3,500), and Rajasthan (2,000 to 3,000).
The development follows a series of representations made by Y. Kikheto Sema during his tenure as principal secretary for Law and Justice to Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal at Shastri Bhavan, Delhi. The meetings were held in continuation of commitments made by the Union Minister during his visits to Nagaland on October 22, 2024, and April 12, 2025.
Kikheto—currently serving as Principal Secretary for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Parliamentary Affairs—had urged the Centre to enhance Nagaland’s quota under Rule 8(4A), citing the State’s growing legal demands.
He pointed out that the original quota of 200 was allotted in 1963 when Nagaland had only three districts and a population of 3.7 lakh. Today, the State comprises 20 districts with an estimated population of 22.58 lakh, necessitating a substantial increase in notarial services.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, Kikheto confirmed receipt of the notification and expressed gratitude to the Central Government for approving the long-pending request. He said the enhancement would significantly strengthen legal and documentation services across the State.
Describing the development as “a huge achievement,” Kikheto noted that this was the first time since statehood that the Centre had amended the Notaries Rules to enhance Nagaland’s quota. He said the increase would benefit young legal professionals who had been unable to apply due to limited availability.
He also acknowledged the support of Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio and advisor for Law and Justice, T.N. Mannen, in facilitating the process, and thanked the Union Government for fulfilling what he termed “a long-felt need.”
Kikheto added that the increase would help ease the burden of notary cases concentrated in Kohima, Dimapur, and Mokokchung, allowing all districts to access a fair share of the enhanced quota. “With this increase, people from across the State need not travel to Kohima, Dimapur, or Mokokchung for notarial services. Every district will now be able to have its own notaries, ensuring better access and faster legal processing for citizens,” he stated.