Nagaland Forest department to advertise 83 guard posts; seven staff suspended amid recruitment discrepancies and CTAN protests over process
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KOHIMA — The Forest department has agreed to advertise 83 forest guard posts within six months, while seven employees have been suspended over discrepancies in the recent recruitment process, the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference in Kohima, CTAN convenor Meshenlo Kath said that the developments followed a series of representations and meetings with the department over concerns regarding recruitment and pending vacancies.
He explained that CTAN had submitted a representation on January 29, 2026, seeking re-examination of the recruitment process along with an 11-point demand, and followed it up on February 9, expressing the need for an early meeting. A joint meeting was subsequently held on February 11 at the office of the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF).
Kath added that issues relating to the Forester-I post and Forest Guard recruitment were discussed in detail during the meeting. He alleged that five backdoor appointments had been made in 2022 and said CTAN had demanded their termination, but no action had been taken.
He said that the association also raised concerns regarding vacancies and impending retirements, maintaining that senior forest guards should be promoted and all resultant vacancies, including those arising from promotions, should be calculated and advertised.
According to him, CTAN proposed that either a re-examination be conducted or that vacancies be filled from among candidates who had cleared the physical test, or alternatively through a fresh advertisement.
Also read: Nagaland Forest Guard exam row: CTAN seeks re-exam, department admits lapses
Kath said that on March 7, the department agreed to CTAN’s proposal, and 43 forest guards are currently under process for promotion from Pay Matrix Level 5 to Level 6.
He further said that on March 18, the Forestry Graduate Association of Nagaland (FGAN), affiliated to CTAN, wrote to the department seeking a response within 30 days, highlighting vacancies of two Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), nine Rangers and 44 Forester-I posts, along with upcoming retirements.
Referring to the recently declared Forest Guard results, Kath recalled that the CTAN had earlier demanded a re-examination, raising concerns over the use of correction pens in some centres, which is against standard examination norms, while it was not allowed in others.
He informed that the department responded that no written complaints were received regarding the issue and that evaluators had been instructed not to award marks in cases involving overwriting or use of correction fluid.
Kath added that CTAN had urged the department not to declare the results after flagging discrepancies in its April 14 communication. However, the results were published on April 15.
He said that during a subsequent meeting with officials, including Chief Conservator of Forests Temjenyapang, it was informed that 26 Forester-I posts had been sent for requisition to the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). However, recruitment could not proceed due to outdated service rules requiring amendment.
According to him, the department has agreed to seek a one-time dispensation from the NPSC and the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) to allow recruitment with graduation as the minimum qualification, as the existing rules prescribe Class 12.
He added that if the proposal is rejected, the posts would remain in abeyance until the service rules are amended.
Kath further said that the department has assured that within six months from April 15, a total of 83 Forest Guard posts will be advertised.
Pointing to complaints regarding the recruitment process, he said that the department has assured that future examinations would be conducted without errors.
He also informed that seven employees involved in data entry related to the Forest Guard examination have been suspended following discrepancies in the process.
Kath advised aspirants with grievances to approach the courts if necessary and to submit relevant evidence to CTAN.