Around 50,000 aspirants from across the state appeared today for the first Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) exam for 600 Grade III posts.

The examination held today and scheduled for tomorrow is being conducted in all districts barring Noklak, Shamator and Nuiland. This is due to non-fulfilment of the criteria of having at least 300 candidates.

However, candidates from these three districts are able to appear for the exam from their nearest examination centres.

The aspirants after the exam shared similar views to Nagaland Tribune stating that they appeared well for the first paper consisting of general knowledge, general English and comprehension; however, they found the second paper on basic computer knowledge, simple arithmetic, aptitude and intelligence a little tough.

The aspirants also expressed confidence that a fair and transparent result was expected and that cases of manipulation would not arise in NSSB.

The technical students will be appearing for their papers tomorrow.

The exam being held is credited to the Naga Students Federation (NSF) for playing an instrumental role in aggressively pursuing the Nagaland Government to set up the Nagaland Staff Selection Board.

The Federation had pursued the matter with the state government in June 2019 with the objective to promote meritocracy and fairness in the examination. After a period of almost two and a half years, the state government established the NSSB this year.

Meanwhile, Naga Students Federation President K Tep also exuded hope and confidence that there would be no room for “manipulation” or “hide and seek” as assured by the NSSB board members to the Federation.

He said: “As far as our discussion with the Commission Secretary is concerned, we were informed that the question paper will be prepared by a firm in Bangalore and he gave us an assurance that there is no way out where any commission members or for that matter the Secretary himself or the controller of examinations will not be aware of what the firm will set the question paper. As far as the question paper dispatchment is concerned the question paper will arrive only in the morning, an hour before the examination starts. Before they open the dispatchment, they will check whether it is sealed pack.

So up to that extend the board have assured us that there will not be any room for manipulation. Which is why we are very confident, manipulation or for that matter hide and seek will not arise.”

Heavy traffic was also witnessed in the state capital today.