Alongside several organisations in Nagaland, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has joined the call for revocation of regularization order in Higher Education Department.
Submitting a representation to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland on April 14, the Federation expressed its firm objection and unequivocal condemnation of the Cabinet decision taken during the Cabinet meeting held on September 11, 2024, approving the absorption of 151 Assistant Professors serving on fixed pay under the Department of Higher Education as a one-time dispensation.
“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. 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,” stated the NSF.
It questioned the moral and administrative integrity of the concerned department for choosing to act against the interest of the thousands of qualified and deserving aspirants who continue to prepare for recruitment through legitimate and competitive means.
“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 must be stressed that the NSF’s opposition to this form of absorption is not new. We have consistently voiced our concerns over the years, clearly stating that such backdoor regularization processes are detrimental to the aspirations of educated Naga youths and erode public trust in the system,” claimed the Federation.
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It acknowledged that 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. However, the Federation rued that, under the current leadership, the department has failed to uphold the very objectives for which it exists. “By pushing for this regularization, the department has not only violated the principles of fair recruitment but has also tarnished the credibility of the department. The NSF views this action as vested interest, lacking transparency, and grossly unfair to aspiring candidates,” asserted the Federation.
Therefore, in the interest of justice and fairness, the NSF has demanded the immediate revocation of the said Cabinet decision and further urged the Government of Nagaland to requisition all sanctioned posts to the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) immediately.
“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,” cautioned the NSF.
