IAS induction row: Protesting employees fire ‘arrogance’ jibe at Nagaland government

DIMAPUR — Nagaland government’s handling of IAS induction from Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) officers has once again come under sharp criticism, with service associations accusing authorities of an “arrogant and self-righteous stance” hinging on the claim that DoPT guidelines are silent on NPSC criteria.

“This is not a principled defence of meritocracy but a calculated attempt to cloak blatant favouritism and nepotism in the language of procedure,” stated a press release issued on Saturday by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC)—comprising CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA, and NF&ASA.

According to the JCC, the IAS (Recruitment) Rules, 1954, allow induction into the IAS from State Services under two categories: State Civil Service (SCS) officers and Non-SCS officers holding equivalent gazetted posts.

Also read: Nagaland: JCC demands end to ‘backdoor’ IAS inductions, calls for merit-based selection

A quota system restricts senior IAS positions, with only one-third reserved for State Services, and within that, 15% earmarked for Non-SCS officers. The induction of Non-SCS officers is rare and highly competitive, requiring demonstration of “outstanding merit and ability.”

At the core of this controversy is the vacancy circular issued by the state government on March 10, which restricted eligibility for Non-SCS officers to candidates recruited through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). Applicants were initially given 15 days to apply.

However, the circular was withdrawn on March 25, raising immediate concerns of procedural irregularities, the JCC pointed out.

Following this, the state Cabinet convened a meeting on March 27 and directed re-advertisement of the vacancy in line with central government guidelines, it stated.

According to the JCC, the same vacancy circular had been successfully used for Non-SCS officer inductions in 2020 and remained valid until March 24, 2025. “The sequence of events exposes how the state Cabinet can be mobilised overnight to serve vested interests,” it stated.

The committee argued that the induction of Non-SCS officers into the IAS requires “outstanding merit and ability,” as mandated under IAS regulations.

“To suggest that a backdoor appointee is of outstanding merit or ability undermines the very rationale for institutions like the NPSC/NSSB and disrespects the integrity of the nation's premier civil

Service—the IAS, adding insults to the collective wisdom of Service Associations and the

public,” it asserted.

According to the committee, adopting silence on the DoPT Guidelines is not a consent for making backdoor appointees eligible

“By conveniently exploiting the absence of any explicit mention of the NPSC in the guidelines, they are undermining the spirit of the very merit-based principles the DoPT upholds, all to secure positions for their favoured candidate(s).

“Therefore, this pen down strike has been called to awaken the conscience of the government, the general public and the student community who are striving for merit,” it asserted.