Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 22 (NPN): The Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) has demanded inclusion of all existing vacant posts in the ongoing recruitment process, while raising concerns over the government’s September 15 order governing filling up of vacancies and fresh recruitment.
Addressing the media here, CTAN said only 11 posts that had received clearance from the P&AR Department and the Manpower Rationalisation Committee (MRC) were advertised.
However, based on data collected by the association, 43 posts are currently lying vacant and should be included in the recruitment process. CTAN urged the authorities to incorporate the identified vacancies and keep the ongoing examination on hold until all the posts are included.
The association said it had submitted a representation to the secretary of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) in this regard.
CTAN convenor Er. Meshenlo Kath expressed concern over the government order issued on September 15, 2026, saying the new provisions had restricted the powers of the NPSC and Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB).
According to Kath, even when a vacancy exists in a department, the post cannot be directly sent to the NPSC for recruitment unless it goes through the prescribed process, including approval from the Cabinet.
The association also raised concerns over changes to the provisions relating to interview marks under the NSSB Regulations, 2020. Kath said the earlier provision prescribed a minimum of 40 per cent and maximum of 80 per cent for interview marks, but alleged that the provision was removed under the subsequent government order.
He said removal of the provision could create scope for arbitrary awarding of interview marks, including the possibility of a candidate receiving zero marks, and demanded that the provision be reintroduced.
CTAN further stated that it did not have confidence in departmental examinations and sought creation of a common examination body to conduct examinations for Class III and Class IV posts.
Kath said the association had initially demanded that all departments in Nagaland be brought under the purview of the NSSB. However, he pointed out that several posts under district administration remained exempted and reiterated the demand that all eligible posts be brought under the board.
Clarifying its position on the government’s Office Memorandum, CTAN said it was not opposed to the memorandum in its entirety and acknowledged that the government might have its own reasons for introducing the provisions. However, it objected to certain provisions under the section dealing with “filling up of vacancies/fresh recruitment” and demanded their deletion.
The convenor alleged that the new arrangement had effectively restricted the functioning of the NPSC and NSSB. He said that under the earlier system, departments could forward vacancies to the NPSC or NSSB for recruitment and examination, whereas under the new system, vacancies have to undergo the MRC process and can be advertised only after the required approvals, including Cabinet clearance.
CTAN clarified that it was not seeking creation of new vacancies but wanted existing vacant posts to be advertised and filled. The association acknowledged that the MRC might have been constituted with a positive intention but maintained that it should not prevent existing vacancies from being filled.
Kath described the new recruitment process as a matter of concern for aspirants and urged candidates across Nagaland to raise their voices on the issue.
He also referred to the state’s unemployment situation and warned that, if appropriate measures were not taken, aspirants in Nagaland could increasingly be left dependent on examinations conducted by national recruiting agencies such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
Meanwhile, CTAN said it had submitted a representation to the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) regarding vacancies in the Forest Department. According to the association, the CCF had assured that 83 posts would be advertised after six months.
CTAN said the stipulated six-month period was now nearing completion and urged the department to proceed with advertisement of the posts.