An appeal by JCC to the conscience of the citizens of Nagaland for the good of posterity.
The JCC, a conglomeration of several Service Associations comprising of CANSSEA, NSSA, NF&ASA, NIDA and FONSESA has been on black badge protest since 24th September 2025 supplemented by an ongoing Pen Down Strike since 14th October 2025 against the Government’s attempt to induct a backdoor applicant into the IAS. Prior to this, several representations had been submitted to the government without any response. The JCC is neither against any candidate per-se nor against the Government, but against the wrong policies of the Government which intends to subvert meritocracy and distort the very notion and concept of merit.
Background: Going back a little further, it may be stated that the Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA) having understood the importance of merit based entry into service in the highest and premier administrative post of the country, had given a recommendation to the Govt through the Chief Secretary in 2018 with the prayer (quote) “As regards to Non-NCS officers, only those who have been recruited to their present service/post through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) to be eligible for appointment under Rule 4 (1) (c) and 8 (2) of the Indian Administrative Service (Recruitment) Rules 1954” (unquote). Consequently, on 6th July 2020, the Govt of Nagaland with the approval of the Chief Minister issued a Vacancy Circular for induction of Non SCS officers into IAS with the Clause-4 which states that (quote) “Only officers recruited through the Nagaland Public Service Commission may apply” (unquote), along with all other conditions and criteria laid down under the IAS (Recruitment) Rules. Accordingly, one Non SCS officer was selected and inducted into the IAS. There had been no complaint from the Cabinet or the Government nor the DoPT or the UPSC. This act of reinforcing the IAS Regulations with Clause-4 had rather strengthened the selection process and is in line with recent Supreme Court Judgements where the Executive has been given the liberty to fill gaps and ambiguity in Rules/Regulations unless such Executive Orders supplant the Rules/Regulations.
The same Vacancy Circular including Clause-4 was again advertised on 10th March 2025 wherein applicants were directed to submit applications within 15 days counting the date of advertisement. 11 (Eleven) applications were received. 1 (One) applicant withdrew. Of the 10 remaining, 6 had Outstanding (OS) APARs (Annual Performance Appraisal Report) and 4 had an average grading less than OS. Out of the 6 (Six) Outstanding candidates, 5 (Five) of them were selected into the Panel List by the Screening Committee on 25th September 2025.
The RTI: As per the RTI disclosure tabled below our convictions were confirmed. In the guise of procedural lapses the eligibility of Non NPSC appointee was facilitated vide Vacancy Circular dated 24th April 2025 and as revealed by the Government Spokesperson that officers from other modes of appointment should also be given a chance, the applicant was recommended in the Panel List thereby betraying the whole intention of withdrawing the Vacancy Circular of 10th March 2025. When appointments to even the lowest rung of posts in the Government are routed through the NPSC and the NSSB, the Cabinet feels that a different set of rules should apply to irregularly appointed officers for induction into the IAS. The JCC is against the partiality and favoritism demonstrated by withdrawing the whole advertisement only to tailor suit a particular candidate.
RTI disclosure of Panel List recommended for lAS Induction for Non-SCS to UPSC
Way forward: The JCC has communicated to the Government through the Cabinet Sub Committee to rectify the procedural lapses as admitted by the Government Spokesperson but in doing so the 10th March 2025 Vacancy Circular has to be ratified in toto in line with constitutional obligation and responsibility.
It is once again re-iterated that the stand taken by the JCC is based on the following:
(i) Cancellation of the Panel List which is based on flawed applications and procedural errors based on the Vacancy Circular of 24th April 2025.
(ii) Restoration of the 10th March 2025 Vacancy Circular in toto.
These demands are in line with merit, moral and procedural propriety. The JCC has taken this noble stand against induction of backdoor recruit into the IAS and to safeguard the fragile position of meritocracy in a system where political favoritism abounds in plenty and therefore, this is a conscience call that seeks legal, political and moral correctness and propriety in matters of State governance.
Issued by:
Media Cell,
Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC)