Defending the principle of meritocracy, the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA, and NF & ASA has announced its pen-down strike from October 14-16 to protest the induction of non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) officers into the IAS. The strike was declared during a press conference held at the CANSSEA office in Kohima on October 13.

While acknowledging widespread public support, the JCC noted that misinformation has been circulating and sought to clarify the issue. They explained that the IAS (Recruitment) Rules, 1954, provide two pathways for induction from State Services:

1. State Civil Service (SCS): Officers from established cadres like the Nagaland Civil Service (NCS).
2. Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS): Officers not in a formal SCS cadre but who hold equivalent gazetted posts.

“The total induction from both these groups is capped at 33.33 percent of senior IAS positions in a state. Within this quota, a maximum of 15 percent is reserved for Non-SCS officers,” stated the JCC emphasizing that selection for Non-SCS officers is exceptionally stringent, requiring a demonstration of “outstanding merit and ability.”

The controversy began when the government issued a vacancy circular on March 10, 2025, for Non-SCS induction. Clause 4 of the circular explicitly restricted eligibility to officers recruited through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). Applicants were given 15 days to apply.

However, one day after the submission deadline, on March 25, 2025, the circular was withdrawn without justification. This raised concerns among service associations about procedural manipulation. Suspicions grew when the State Cabinet met on March 27 and directed the relevant department to re-advertise the vacancy as per “Central Guidelines.”

“The JCC finds it baffling that the same circular was used for the 2019 select list in 2020 and was only deemed “defective” after the application window had closed. They see this sequence of events as evidence that the State Cabinet was mobilized to serve vested interests,” stated the team during the press conference.

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CANSSEA President, Zubemo Lotha Tsanglao, stated that after prolonged appeals to an unresponsive government, the JCC escalated from wearing black badges to a poster campaign, and finally issued an August 28 ultimatum for a pen-down strike. He affirmed their commitment to meritocracy and the rights of the youth.

Meanwhile, FONSESA President, Er. Fineson Pojar, expressed disbelief that the “premier service of the country” is considering induction from non-NPSC recruits, calling it unacceptable and a fight for future generations.

The JCC contended that “backdoor appointees” who bypass the NPSC cannot legitimately claim such merit. The government’s defense, that the DoPT guidelines are silent on the NPSC requirement, the JCC claimed, is characterized as a “hollow argument” and a “calculated attempt to cloak blatant favouritism and nepotism.”

During the press conference, NIDA President, Dr. Thomas Keppen, expressed solidarity and urged the government to reconsider. NSSA General Secretary, Benito K Swu, further clarified that they are not against individuals but are defending the principle of meritocracy. NF & ASA President, Amenla Jamir, pledged to fight until their demands are met for the sake of aspiring youth. Meanwhile, Core Committee Member, Imtiwabang Jamir, appealed for public support for this just cause.

Advisor to CANSSEA  Ilang cited a 2001 government memorandum requiring all appointments to follow NPSC procedures, and a 2016 memorandum banning contract appointments—a move upheld by the Kohima High Court and supported by CANSSEA. He noted that a merit-based vacancy circular on July 6, 2020, for Non-SCS induction was widely praised. The government’s subsequent March 10, 2025, circular continued this merit-based approach, making its sudden withdrawal contradictory. He demanded the government restore the March 10 circular and not “dilute the dreams of IAS aspirants with backdoor appointees.”

JCC’s demands are:

1. Strict adherence to meritocracy in IAS induction.
2. Restriction of induction to NPSC-recruited officers only.
3. Full transparency of the panel list and selection criteria.
4. An immediate end to political patronage in appointments.
5. The immediate withdrawal of what they deem a “biased and illegitimate” Panel List.
6. The restoration of the March 10, 2025, Vacancy Circular as the basis for a merit-based induction process.