DIMAPUR, OCT 15 (NPN): Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has appealed to the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) to reschedule the upcoming Combined Staff Recruitment Examination (CSRE), which coincides with Ahuna, the major post-harvest festival of the Sümi community.
In a statement, CNTC vice president Temjen Nungshang Kichu and secretary Rhontsuthung Kikon said Ahuna was not merely a holiday but a cherished cultural and traditional occasion celebrating unity, gratitude and indigenous heritage.
The council said conducting a career-defining competitive examination on the festival day would place candidates in a difficult position, forcing them to choose between participating in an important cultural celebration and pursuing employment opportunities.
While appreciating NSSB’s commitment to conducting recruitment examinations in a timely and systematic manner, CNTC
said examination schedules should also take into account the cultural significance of traditional festivals and ensure equal opportunities for all aspirants.
The council urged NSSB and the state government to postpone the exam to a suitable alternative date, allowing candidates to fulfil their cultural obligations without compromising their career aspirations.
It also called for an inclusive approach to future examination scheduling, taking into account the major traditional festivals of Nagaland’s recognised tribes to prevent similar situations.
CNTC expressed hope that the authorities would consider its appeal sympathetically in the interest of students and the preservation of the state’s cultural heritage.
Friday, October 16, 2026