Nagaland has come a long way since attaining statehood. Over the decades, the state has witnessed visible progress, its education system has expanded, healthcare services have improved, and its cultural landscape has gained wider recognition, with even Bollywood series now being shot in the region. Events like the Hornbill Festival have boosted tourism, bringing attention to the state’s rich heritage and scenic beauty.
Yet, despite these advancements, a pressing concern remains, unemployment continues to affect a large section of the youth. The question, therefore, is not whether Nagaland has developed, but whether that development has truly reached its people in an inclusive way. Nagaland faces a critical unemployment crisis, with youth unemployment exceeding 27% and over 71,000 registered job seekers. The over-reliance on an already saturated government sector, limited growth of the private sector, along with a lack of practical and employable skills, have all contributed to the rising number of educated yet unemployed youth. However, the most serious concern, on top of these already existing problems, is the continued persistence of backdoor appointments, further worsening the situation and denying deserving youth the opportunities they rightfully deserve. Instead of addressing the root causes of unemployment, such practices only deepen the crisis.
Every year, issues surrounding backdoor appointments continue to surface in Nagaland. In 2024, the controversy over the regularisation of 147 assistant professors raised serious concerns. More recently, irregularities in the Forest Guard recruitment process have further questioned the fairness of even written examinations. Concerns have also been raised regarding alleged irregularities in police recruitment, where questions around transparency and fairness have further shaken public trust. And now, with the Naga Students’ Federation exposing yet another list of 109 alleged illegal appointees, a troubling pattern becomes clear, this is not an isolated issue, but a recurring one. It is no longer just about unemployment, it is about whether the system itself is fair. Even competitive exams, which are meant to provide equal opportunities, are increasingly being questioned. Concerns around transparency during interviews and selections continue to persist, where connections are sometimes believed to influence outcomes alongside merit. While many deserving candidates do succeed through hard work and fair competition, the existence of such perceptions creates doubt and gradually erodes trust in the system. Trust in the system is built on fairness, and once shaken, it is not easily restored. Over time, this uncertainty can be just as damaging as the problem itself, leaving many young people unsure of whether their efforts alone will truly be enough.
Many spend years studying, preparing, and waiting, only to find themselves gradually becoming overaged, mentally exhausted, and disheartened. While some secure early employment through backdoor means, others are left to struggle for years. Yes, hard work is still worth it, but in such a system, it comes at a much heavier cost. It demands time, patience, and sacrifice far beyond what should be necessary, especially when others bypass the same process through influence and privilege. It is high time that we, as a society, reflect not just with anger, but with empathy, fairness, and a basic sense of decency toward those who are simply asking for a fair chance. The real question is not whether the youth are working hard enough, but whether the system is working fairly enough. A fair system gives hope; an unfair one only creates doubt.
There are already many factors contributing to the unemployment crisis which require real solutions: investing in skill development, expanding private sector opportunities, and ensuring that vacancies are properly advertised and filled through fair and transparent recruitment processes. Jobs should not be quietly taken away through backdoor means, but openly offered so that the truly deserving can compete and succeed. Every deserving youth deserves not just a chance, but a fair one. Opportunities should be earned in the open, not decided in the shadows.
In this regard, the efforts of the Naga Students’ Federation in exposing such irregularities deserve recognition. However, this should not stop here, more such cases must be brought to light, and accountability must follow. Fairness and transparency must prevail, especially in examinations and recruitment, where the future of thousands is at stake. Development should not only be measured by tourism, festivals, or urban expansion. Before building cities, we must build opportunities for our people. The government must look beyond surface-level progress and address the condition of its youth, who continue to struggle in silence.
If unemployment continues to be ignored, no amount of development will truly matter. Because in the end, a state cannot move forward if its youth are left behind.
Arhoni Ngullie
Saturday, April 25, 2026