Service associations’ 3-day pen-down strike against non-SCS IAS induction

Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), comprising CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA, and NF&ASA, is all set to hold a three-day pen-down strike from October 14 to 16. The protest comes in response to the state government’s decision to induct non-State Civil Service (non-SCS) officers into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), an issue the committee says has not been addressed despite repeated representations.
The announcement was made during a press conference at CANSSEA office in Kohima, Monday.
CANSSEA president Zubemo Lotha Tsanglao said the associations had repeatedly approached the government on the matter but received no response. Earlier protest phases included wearing black badges and a poster campaign. He said employees across the state would participate, adding that the strike aims to uphold meritocracy and safeguard the rights of the youth.
FONSESA president Er. Fineson Pojar stressed that the strike was about defending meritocracy. He criticized the induction of non-SCS officers, noting that even meritorious candidates were sidelined, and called it unacceptable. NIDA president Dr. Thomas Keppen expressed solidarity, urging the government to reconsider and take necessary action while NSSA general secretary Benito K. Swu said the protest defends meritocracy and the future generations.
NF&ASA president Amenla Jamir reaffirmed their support, stating they would fight until their demands were met. Core committee member Imtiwabang Jamir appealed to the public for support, calling it a just cause. Core committee member and advisor CANSSEA, Dr. Illang, highlighted government notifications, including the February 26, 2001 and June 6, 2016 memoranda, mandating appointments strictly through NPSC or advertisement.
He criticized the March 10, 2025 vacancy circular, its abrupt withdrawal, and subsequent replacement, calling it procedural manipulation.
The JCC clarified that under IAS (Recruitment) Rules, 1954, only officers with “outstanding merit and ability” were eligible. Exploiting gaps in DoPT guidelines to favor backdoor appointees undermines meritocracy and accountability, the committee stated.
JCC demanded strict adherence to merit-based induction, transparency in panel lists and selection criteria, cessation of political patronage, immediate withdrawal of the biased panel list, and restoration of the March 10, 2025 vacancy circular. The JCC appealed for public support, warning that backdoor appointments jeopardize the integrity of the IAS and undermine service associations and the public.
The committee asserted that the prestigious service (IAS) must remain free from backdoor appointments.
The committee said they had also filed Right to Information (RTI) seeking details on the list of applicants and names of the five candidates sent to UPSC, adding that one candidate among the five did not meet the prescribed qualifications.
JCC warned that if the government fails to act during the course of the pen-down strike, they will be compelled to decide the next course of action.