The Government of Nagaland has introduced a new transfer policy for Forest Department officers, prescribing a minimum three-year service in remote Category C areas and making specified field postings a requirement for promotion to higher ranks.

The Nagaland Forest Department Officers’ Transfer Policy, 2026, notified by the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, seeks to streamline transfers, ensure equitable distribution of officers and strengthen professional competence through exposure to different field conditions and functional wings of the department.

The policy, which supersedes all previous orders, circulars and guidelines on transfers and postings, applies to Forest Department officers from Deputy Ranger Officer to Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF)/Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). It also covers Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers posted in Nagaland up to the DCF/DFO rank, subject to applicable service rules.

According to a notification issued by Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS, for the purpose of transfers, the State has been divided into three categories based on accessibility, infrastructure, hardship and remoteness. Category A comprises Dimapur, Chumoukedima, Niuland, Kohima, Tseminyu, Peren and Mokokchung; Category B includes Zunheboto, Wokha, Phek and Meluri; while Category C covers Mon, Longleng, Tuensang, Shamator, Noklak and Kiphire.

While Category A areas are classified as relatively accessible and well-connected, Category B areas are considered moderately accessible with limited amenities. Category C areas are identified as geographically remote and difficult to access, presenting significant logistical and operational challenges.

Under the new framework, the standard tenure at any posting station will be a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years. Transfers before completion of the minimum tenure will ordinarily not be permitted, except in cases of administrative necessity or public service exigency, disciplinary proceedings, serious medical grounds certified by a competent authority or other exceptional circumstances.

Officers seeking early transfer on personal grounds will have to bear the cost, as they will not be entitled to transfer allowance.

A significant feature of the policy is the mandatory requirement for every covered officer to complete at least one full term of three years in a Category C posting during their service career. In addition, officers will have to serve a minimum of two years in Category B to qualify for the next promotion.

Promotion eligibility will require either completion of at least three years in Category C and two years in Category B, or five continuous years in Category C. Officers who have not fulfilled the mandatory Category C requirement will not be eligible for promotion to the next higher rank.

The policy also provides priority consideration for officers seeking transfer to Category A after prolonged service in difficult areas. Those who have served continuously for more than five years in Category C, or completed at least three years in Category C and two years in Category B without an intervening Category A posting, will be eligible to request such transfers.

To prevent prolonged postings in home districts, officers serving in Category B or C districts that are also their home districts will ordinarily be transferred to another category after completing the prescribed tenure of three to five years. Officers opting to continue in Category C may be posted to another Category C district, but not their home district. The provision is intended to safeguard impartiality in forest administration.

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The policy also stipulates that IFS officers posted in Nagaland as DCF will be required to begin their tenure in Category C and accept Category C or B postings whenever directed by the competent authority.

It provides for central deputation to Government of India ministries, departments and Central Public Sector Undertakings, inter-cadre deputation to another State cadre and intra-State deputation to other departments, corporations or authorities within Nagaland. Such deputations will require a No Objection Certificate from the State government under the All India Services (Cadre) Rules, 1954. The government may also examine an officer’s Category B or C service while considering an NOC, and may assign the officer to either category upon return to complete outstanding mandatory requirements.

The policy, however, safeguards the inter se seniority of State Forest Service officers being considered for induction into the IFS, stating that mandatory Category B and C service will not affect their seniority, which will continue to be governed by applicable service rules and regulations.

In another measure aimed at broadening professional experience, officers will, as far as possible, be rotated across territorial divisions, wildlife divisions and functional or headquarters divisions.

The policy also establishes an annual transfer mechanism, with applications for general transfers to be invited by the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) between January and March each year. Routine transfers will ordinarily be conducted once annually, preferably between November and January, while ad hoc or out-of-season transfers have been discouraged.

Before the transfer season, officers completing or nearing completion of their prescribed tenure will be identified, vacancies mapped across the three categories and a draft transfer list prepared by the Administration Wing for approval by the competent authority. Officers will also be given reasonable notice before joining their new stations.

For effective monitoring, the PCCF & HoFF office will maintain consolidated, group-wise posting registers covering all officers under the policy. These registers will serve as the authoritative records for planning annual transfers.

The policy clarifies that its provisions do not confer any individual right to claim a particular transfer or posting. Relaxation may be allowed in exceptional cases involving extreme hardship or public service requirements, as determined by the competent authority. The State government has also retained the power to amend, modify or revoke any provision in the public interest.