Members of the Naga Students’ Federation protest the candidature of a non-indigenous candidate under the Nagaland State quota for NEET 2025 in Kohima on August 19. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 20
The Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) and the Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) today joined growing calls for an immediate review of admissions under the NEET-UG 2025 Nagaland State Quota, alleging procedural lapses and misuse of Indigenous quota provisions.
In separate statements, the NLSF and ENCSU raised objections over the eligibility of a candidate from outside Nagaland seeking admission under the State quota. Both also urged the State Government to ensure that quota seats remain strictly reserved for Indigenous Naga students.
The NLSF, while extending support to the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), stated that any irregularities in admissions would amount to a violation of constitutional safeguards under Articles 15(4), 16(4), and 46, which protect the educational interests of Scheduled Tribes.
It also cautioned that fraudulent entries compromise Article 14’s principles of equality and deprive deserving Indigenous candidates of rightful opportunities.
Accordingly, the NLSF called upon the Directorate of Technical Education and other competent authorities to conduct an immediate and thorough review of candidates’ eligibility under the State quota. It specifically demanded verification of permanent residency and domicile status within Nagaland, compliance with State quota policy norms, and verification of Indigenous Inhabitant status.
The NLSF also pressed for a comprehensive inquiry into all NEET 2025 admissions under the Indigenous quota, with special attention to the authenticity of documents submitted. It demanded that admissions obtained through fraudulent means be revoked, legal action initiated against offenders, and verification mechanisms for Indigenous Inhabitant and Scheduled Tribe Certificates be strengthened through mandatory cross-verification.
Further, the Forum stated that disciplinary action should be taken against any officials found complicit in malpractice and called for the establishment of a transparent grievance redressal cell to address concerns raised by Indigenous candidates.
Similarly, the ENCSU, in a memorandum to the Chief Secretary, underscored that the State quota for professional courses is a “sacrosanct provision” meant exclusively for Indigenous Nagas “by blood and domicile.” The Union urged the Chief Secretary to ensure that the Nagaland State Quota is strictly reserved for eligible candidates in accordance with existing policies and criteria.
“Upholding the integrity of these provisions is paramount to maintaining the sanctity of opportunities meant for the State’s Indigenous population,” it added.
The fresh demands come against the backdrop of a continuing legal tussle over MBBS seat allocation in Nagaland.
On August 14, the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench struck down parts of a 2021 notification on eligibility criteria for wards of central government employees for central-pool MBBS and allotted a seat to a petitioner.
However, on August 19, the Gauhati High Court, Principal Bench, stayed the Kohima Bench judgment following an appeal by the State Government. The Principal Bench directed that one MBBS seat be kept vacant until the final judgment. The matter is now listed for hearing on September 8.
The August 14 verdict has drawn widespread reactions, including from the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), which staged an ‘emergency sit-in protest’ at NSF Solidarity Park, Kohima, on August 19.
