Restricted to Central jobs, education quota
DIMAPUR, MAY 9 (NPN): The State government has notified that 1,313 members of the Rongmei tribe permanently settled in Nagaland, along with their direct descendants, may now be issued Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates identifying them as “Scheduled Tribe of Manipur permanently settled in Nagaland.”
According to a notification issued by the Home Department (Home Branch) on May 8, the decision was issued pursuant to a Cabinet decision taken on February 26, 2026, and conveyed by the Cabinet Secretariat on March 12, 2026. The beneficiaries include 1,313 members of the Rongmei tribe permanently settled in Nagaland, who were enumerated and compiled by a committee constituted by the State government on September 28, 2007 in Kohima, Peren and erstwhile Dimapur districts, along with their direct descendants.
The notification stated that eligible Rongmei tribe members and their direct descendants seeking ST certificates would have to apply to the respective deputy commissioners of Kohima, Peren, Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts, depending on the district under which they were originally enumerated by the committee.
It said the deputy commissioners concerned would issue the certificates after due verification in the prescribed format.
The government clarified that the ST certificates were being issued solely to enable the beneficiaries to avail reservation benefits in Central government employment and admission to Central educational institutions. However, the notification categorically stated that the certificates would not entitle the 1,313 Rongmei tribe members and their descendants to any reservation, concession or benefits specifically reserved for Scheduled Tribes indigenous to Nagaland.
It further stated that the provisions of the present notification would govern the issuance of ST certificates to the enumerated Rongmei tribe members and their descendants notwithstanding anything inconsistent contained in any earlier notification issued by the State government. The notification also warned that any person obtaining or attempting to obtain the certificate through misrepresentation or fraud would be liable for cancellation of the certificate and prosecution under applicable laws.
Further, it stated that deputy commissioners would have the authority to cancel certificates after inquiry, while appeals against such decisions would lie before the Commissioner, Nagaland.
It may be recalled that the state government had initially recognized the Rongmei as an indigenous tribe in 2012, but was challenged in the court. Consequently, the Cabinet withdrew the recognition of the tribe in April 2017.