Employees’ bodies protest IAS induction of non-SCS officers in Nagaland

DIMAPUR — The Confederation of All Nagaland State Service Employees’ Association (CANSSEA) along with allied bodies has launched the second phase of its protest against the recent selection of non-SCS officers into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

In a statement issued on Monday, the associations informed that they have begun a poster campaign across government offices and public places in Kohima, alleging that the process adopted by the screening committee on September 25 was “totally unacceptable and without merit.”

The organisations claimed that the select list was finalised without restoring the vacancy circular dated March 10, 2025, which, they maintained, upheld the IAS regulations by stipulating that only officers recruited through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) would be eligible for induction.

Also read: CANSSEA to launch symbolic protest against IAS induction policy

They argued that the withdrawal of the circular and its replacement with a modified version opened the way for officers outside the NPSC system to be considered.

According to the associations, the move reflects “political interference” and undermines meritocracy in favour of “filial and political affiliations.”

They asserted that the government’s decision sought to “supersede merit over personal gratification” by paving the way for “unmerited officers” to enter a premier service such as the IAS.

They pointed out that the screening committee held its meeting “under the shadow of a peaceful protest” on September 25 despite objections from the associations. They reiterated that their demand remains the restoration of the March 10 circular in its entirety.

The associations added that the poster campaign in Kohima would be followed by “subsequent democratic forms of agitation and resentment” until the select list is withdrawn.