Nagaland: ‘Arbitrary and Unjustified’

NSF protests decision to absorb 151 fixed pay Assistant Professors

DIMAPUR, APRIL 14 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) while condemning the Nagaland Cabinet’s decision to approve the absorption of 151 fixed-pay Assistant Professors into regular positions under the Department of Higher Education, calling it an "arbitrary and unjustified regularization" that undermines merit-based recruitment.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland dated April 14, the NSF stated, “The NSF had, through several representations and public statements, in general, categorically opposed such arbitrary and unjustified regularization, and had in particular, clearly recommended that the concerned department revoke any such proposal.”

The Cabinet decision, taken during a meeting on September 11, 2024, has been a subject of sustained opposition from student bodies and civil society groups. The NSF said that the move disregards its repeated appeals. “It is, therefore, highly alarming that the concerned Minister of Higher Education and the State Cabinet have chosen to override these recommendations and proceed in blatant disregard of the core values of meritocracy, transparency, and fairness,” the Federation wrote.

The student body also questioned the delay in revoking the decision. “Why has the department still not revoked the order, despite the demand been placed forth by the NSF, the most recent communique having been conveyed on 8th April 2025 during the meeting with the concerned Department?” it asked.

Reiterating its long-standing position against what it describes as “backdoor regularization,” the NSF warned that the practice “is detrimental to the aspirations of educated Naga youths and erode[s] public trust in the system.”

The Federation criticized the Department of Higher Education for what it called a failure to uphold its responsibilities. “The Department of Higher Education is one of the most crucial arms of the state government in shaping the intellectual, academic, and professional foundation of our society. Sadly, under the current leadership, the department has failed to uphold the very objectives for which it exists,” the letter stated.

The NSF further claimed that the regularization was influenced by "vested interest," describing the move as “lacking transparency, and grossly unfair to aspiring candidates.”

The NSF demanded that the Cabinet decision be revoked immediately and that all sanctioned posts be requisitioned to the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) for fair and open recruitment.

“Failure to act upon this demand, the Federation will be compelled to initiate democratic measures to safeguard the interests of our aspirants and student community,” it warned.



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