Unemployment in Nagaland has escalated to an alarming level, evident from the overwhelming number of applicants vying for government jobs across various departments. This trend has shattered previous records and highlights the extent of the employment crisis within the state. For example, the recent recruitment drive for 46 positions in the Excise department attracted nearly 9, 904 applicants. Similarly, the Forest department saw an astonishing 15, 000 aspirants competing for just 154 forest guard posts. Such intense competition for a limited number of vacancies is remarkable given Nagaland’s modest population of approximately 21 lakhs. This situation demands an unwavering commitment to transparency and fairness in recruitment processes. Nonetheless, the recruitment procedures have come under scrutiny, with officials and local politicians often caught in a web of allegations, accusations of favoritism, and perceived unfair practices. During the recent recruitment for the Excise and Forest departments, candidates raised questions concerning the transparency and integrity of the selection process. Specific grievances emerged, such as the timing and constitution of the Departmental Recruitment Board (DRB). Relating to the Excise recruitment, aspirants pointed out that the DRB was constituted after the job advertisement had been issued, which they contend violates procedural rules outlined in the Nagaland Excise Service regulations. Further concerns were voiced regarding the first advertisement for 40 post after which another advertisement indicated additional six posts to take the total to 46. There was also controversy over the introduction of a written test in the recruitment. It was alleged that this favored candidates with higher academic qualifications, despite the minimum educational requirement being just Class VIII. The department responded by stating the DRB’s formation and procedures followed established government protocols, especially for uniformed service posts not overseen by the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB). It explained that the additional six posts were included due to retirements after the initial advertisement. The written test, meanwhile, was introduced to reduce subjective judgments and curb favoritism that might arise from relying solely on physical and oral evaluations. The Excise adviser publicly invited complainants to present evidence, reaffirming the department’s commitment to transparency. The Forest department’s recruitment encountered similar criticisms. Questions centered on the DRB’s formation and age relaxation policies. The department clarified that it was done as per instructions from the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms for recruiting uniformed service personnel exempt from NSSB oversight. Regarding age limits, the department explained approved relaxations, including a one-time exemption for candidates who became overage subsequent to their application submissions. A particularly sensitive issue involved the alleged leak of question papers. Investigation revealed the leak had occurred after the examination at the Mon center, diminishing claims of malpractice impacting results. Such complaints, while unfortunate, are not uncommon in large-scale recruitment processes, especially amid high job demand and limited vacancies. To restore faith in the system and address doubts fairly, an independent, high-level inquiry panel involving magistrates, police officials, departmental representatives, and representatives of civil society organizations should be convened. This approach is essential to uphold the integrity of recruitment exercises and safeguard the hopes of thousands seeking employment in Nagaland.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025