The issue of 80 unfilled posts in the recent police constable recruitment drive was raised in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly during the Eighth Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on March 9, with members seeking clarification on how the vacancies would be addressed.
A starred question regarding unfilled posts in the recent police constable recruitment drive was taken up during the Eighth Session.
Raising the issue, MLA Tongpang Ozukum said the mass recruitment drive was a welcome initiative that created employment opportunities for many unemployed youth in the state. Referring to the department’s reply, he noted that out of the 1,176 advertised posts, 80 vacancies remained unfilled across several districts. Of these, 43 posts were from Mokokchung district, 32 from Dimapur, three from Tseminyu, and one each from Longleng and Wokha.
Ozukum clarified that the vacancies were not due to any fault of the department but rather due to unfortunate circumstances where some aspirants could not fully avail the opportunity. He sought clarification on whether a special recruitment drive would be conducted for the affected districts or if the backlog posts would be added to the next mass recruitment along with the regular district-wise allocation based on population ratio.
Responding to the query, Deputy Chief Minister, Yanthungo Patton informed the House that the 80 unfilled posts would not be included in the immediate upcoming recruitment advertisement but would be carried forward as backlog vacancies. He stated that these posts would remain reserved for the respective districts and tribes and would be filled through separate district-wise recruitment drives during the next police constable recruitment.
Ozukum expressed hope that the concerned districts would not be deprived of their backlog posts, even if filled through a separate process.
MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu, while expressing satisfaction with the department’s overall response and the conduct of physical and medical tests, raised concerns regarding the written examination. He pointed out that candidates with Class 6 and 8 qualifications had to compete with graduates and postgraduates in the same written test, which he felt created disparity. He suggested that the department study the feasibility of introducing separate categories or reviewing the structure of the written examination in future recruitments. He also highlighted challenges faced by candidates from backward areas in Phek district.
MLA Achumbemo Kikon supported the suggestion for reviewing the weightage of marks, stating that while separate question papers could invite legal complications, the department could consider reducing written test marks and placing greater emphasis on physical tests, given the nature of constabulary duties.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio also shared his views, emphasizing that police service fundamentally requires physical fitness and mental preparedness. He opined that while a second chance could be considered for filling the 80 unoccupied posts, the vacancies should not be kept pending indefinitely. On qualifications, he observed that overqualified candidates in lower-grade posts may not always render dedicated service and suggested a review to ensure fairness and practicality.
MLA A Pongshi Phom raised a specific concern regarding Longleng district, where one reserved post remained unfilled after candidates from the concerned village failed to qualify in the physical test. He urged that the post should not be treated in a manner that reduces the district’s allocation.
Clarifying the matter, Patton reiterated that the unfilled post would remain with Longleng district as a backlog and would not be transferred elsewhere. He assured members that in the next recruitment, the backlog vacancy would be added to the district’s allocation.
Concluding the discussion, Patton stated that while the minimum educational qualification for the post is Class 8, the department would review concerns raised by members regarding the written examination and weightage of marks in future recruitment drives.
