Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from Nagaland, S Supongmeren Jamir has urged Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio to push for immediate action to officially recognise the tribal dialects/languages of the state as ‘third languages’ in the recruitment process of Grade-IV staff Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) under the Department of Posts.
Jamir, in a letter to the chief minister, expressed concern that Grade IV staff GDS recruitment in the Postal Department is online-based without interviews or exams conducted but candidates being shortlisted based on the marks secured in English/Hindi in Class X.
“This undermines the third dialect/language that candidates would have otherwise studied or are fluent in beside these two languages. Additionally, this impacts the performance of local candidates when they compete nationwide,” the MP stated.
He cited that in the last two years, there have been three rounds of recruitment for 364 posts including a special drive in January 2023 where 143 posts were advertised for Nagaland.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Jamir pointed out that the Department of Posts had communicated that while English is recognised as the official language in Nagaland, it has agreed in principle that the North East Circle Post Office would engage with the state government to officially identify the local dialects/language that can be considered as a medium of evaluation during the recruitment. The authority has communicated the same to the Home Commissioner, Government of Nagaland on April 16, 2025.
Highlighting that though the state government officially recognizes 16 tribes along with the Kachari, Kuki, Garo and Mikir tribes, Jamir pointed out it is yet to officially recognize the dialects/languages of these tribes for the purpose of a third language/dialect in the state.
He cited a similar case in Arunachal Pradesh wherein the government of Arunachal Pradesh in order to resolve the issue, notified its officially recognized 23 tribal dialect/language as ‘third language’ and informed the Postal Department, New Delhi. Subsequently, a special provision of five years was made for the Government of Arunachal Pradesh recognising the 23 tribal language/dialects as ‘third language’ as the local language for assessment during recruitment.
Jamir stated that the proficiency in the tribal dialect/language is to be issued a certification by the concerned Deputy Commissioner or any other officer authorized in the state government as not all these dialects are taught up to Class X at present in schools.
In this regard, the MP called upon the chief minister to take action through the concerned department in issuing the recognition of the tribal dialects/languages spoken in the state as ‘third language’ which would create employment among the youths in the state.
