Morung Express News
Kohima | August 29
In a historic policy for indigenous employment, the Postal Directorate, New Delhi has formally approved the language criteria for engagement of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) in Nagaland Division in view of the linguistic diversity and local requirements of the State of Nagaland.
A notification dated July 27, 2026 appreciated that the Government of Nagaland has officially notified 19 local languages and dialects for the purpose of certifying language proficiency among GDS applicants. The notified languages include Angami, Ao, Chang, Chakhesang, Konyak, Khiamniungan, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sumi, Sangtam, Tikhir, Yimkhiung, Zeliang, Garo, Mikir, Kuki and Kachari.
In this regard, the Deputy Commissioners of respective districts have also been designated as certifying authorities and the recruitment for engagement of GDS would be conducted on a half-yearly basis by the Department of Posts.
The notification also sought timely coordination and dissemination of information regarding the approved language criteria and certification procedures to ensure smooth conduct of the recruitment process and to enable eligible local candidates to apply without difficulty.
It may be recalled that last year on March 4, 2025, MLA, Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso had raised concerns over the dwindling employment opportunities for indigenous Nagas in the postal service, particularly in the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) positions during the Zero Hour of the sixth session of the 14th Nagaland Assembly.
This eventually led to the formalisation of the policy through an Office Memorandum dated May 21, 2026, stipulating that proficiency in notified tribal local languages and dialects will be factored into GDS engagement in Nagaland, marking a departure from the earlier all-India open recruitment basis.
Three months since, the policy has come into effect even as the "Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) Online Engagement Schedule-II, July-2026" was announced on August 20, clearly signaling fresh employment opportunities for Naga youths for the position of GDS Branch Postmaster (BPM), GDS Assistant BPM and Dak Sevak respectively.
