The Naga Students’ Federation flagged 109 alleged backdoor appointments across 16 departments and warned of agitation if the Nagaland government fails to act.
Share
KOHIMA — The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Tuesday alleged that 109 posts were filled through backdoor appointments across 16 government departments, warning that it would resort to democratic agitation if the state government fails to take corrective action.
Addressing a press conference at Naga Solidarity Park in Kohima, NSF president Mteisuding said the federation had earlier issued an ultimatum to the government on March 20, 2026, raising concerns over alleged illegal appointments. He said the federation has since detected 109 posts across 16 departments, describing the scale of the issue as a matter of serious concern for a system expected to uphold merit and transparency.
According to the NSF, 13 of the posts fall under the purview of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and were allegedly filled between 2018 and 2021, while 96 posts fall under the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) and were allegedly filled between 2019 and 2023.
Providing a breakdown, NSF vice-president Vimeyiekho Vitso said 82 appointments were made on a regular basis, 16 on contract, eight on a temporary basis, two on casual terms and one on an ad hoc basis. He alleged that all 109 posts were filled without open advertisement and without following prescribed recruitment procedures, including examinations conducted by the NPSC and NSSB.
Also read: 83 Nagaland forest guard posts to be advertised; 7 suspended over recruitment lapses
Vitso said the Office Memorandum dated June 6, 2016 clearly prohibits such appointments, stating that all posts under the purview of the NPSC must be routed through the commission, with violations liable for penal action. He added that although the memorandum also restricts contract appointments, even regular appointments made outside due process violate the principles of fair recruitment.
He further referred to an Office Memorandum dated March 10, 2022, which prescribes the format for issuing appointment orders, and claimed that several appointments made after the issuance of the memorandum did not adhere to the prescribed format, indicating continued procedural violations despite clear guidelines.
WATCH MORE:
The NSF stated that the issue is not limited to procedural lapses but has wider implications for students and job aspirants. Vitso said such appointments deprive eligible candidates of fair opportunity and undermine public confidence in the recruitment system.
Mteisuding said the state government has acknowledged the matter. He informed that the chief secretary, in a communication dated May 4, 2026, stated that the issue has been referred to a cabinet sub-committee and would be placed before the cabinet for discussion along with other related matters.
While stating that the federation would wait for the outcome of the cabinet deliberations, Mteisuding cautioned that failure to address the issue would compel the NSF to initiate democratic agitation. He added that the federation would demand termination of appointments found to be illegal.
The NSF also indicated that its findings are based on information gathered through RTI applications. Vitso said that while data from 16 departments has been compiled so far, more departments are under examination and further findings will be submitted to the government. He added that some departments have been reluctant to provide complete information.
Responding to queries, NSF officials said accountability would extend to appointing authorities as well as those responsible at higher levels, maintaining that identifying those involved is necessary to ensure corrective action.
They also said the federation is examining alleged irregularities in uniformed services recruitment, including in the forest department. RTI applications have been submitted to the concerned authorities, and further action will be decided after reviewing the responses and internal deliberations.
Mteisuding added that the listing of 16 departments is not exhaustive and that the federation’s inquiry is ongoing. He reiterated that if the government fails to take action, the federation may be compelled to escalate the matter through public protest.