The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has formally declared its flagship initiative, ‘Powered 60’, aimed at providing free competitive examination, coaching and hostel facilities to 60 deserving aspirants from Nagaland’s 60 Assembly constituencies.
The initiative was announced by NSF General Secretary Kenilo Kent and formally declared by NSF President Mteisuding during the Federation’s 80th Foundation Day celebration held at the SIRD Auditorium, Kohima, on Thursday . The project, supported by the Government of Nagaland, is expected to be launched in the next academic session.
Kent said the initiative stemmed from a resolution adopted during the first NSF Federal Assembly of the 2025–2027 tenure, held on December 4, 2025, under the agenda of youth empowerment and self-reliance.
He said the Federation had subsequently submitted an official representation to Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio on December 3, 2025, seeking the state government’s support for the initiative. He acknowledged the government’s positive response and active interest in advancing the project.
Announcing the government’s official approval, Kent said the first phase would identify 60 deserving and hardworking aspirants, representing each of Nagaland’s 60 Assembly constituencies, through a transparent and merit-based selection process.
Under the initiative, selected candidates will receive comprehensive coaching for competitive examinations, including the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) examinations. The NSF would establish and manage a dedicated coaching centre, providing experienced faculty, professional mentors, study materials, test series, academic resources and career guidance throughout the course.
Kent said the selected aspirants would be accommodated at a common facility managed by the federation, with free coaching and hostel facilities provided for the entire duration of the course.
He noted that the NSF had previously assisted several deserving students who could not afford competitive examination coaching, with some aspirants having completed their courses while others were still undergoing coaching in Delhi.
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With the launch of Powered 60, he said, aspiring candidates would have access to quality coaching and the necessary academic support within Nagaland, reducing the need to travel outside the state for preparation.
Kent further stated that subsequent phases of the initiative would seek to include Naga aspirants living beyond the present boundaries of Nagaland, extending its reach to the wider Naga community.
Calling it a significant opportunity for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, he urged interested aspirants to take advantage of the programme, which aims to nurture capable and dedicated civil servants from among the Naga people.
NSF president, Mteisuding also highlighted that Powered 60 was rooted in the federation’s broader agenda of youth and student empowerment, with self-reliance as its central objective. He said the formal declaration marked an important step towards the programme’s implementation, with the launch scheduled for the next academic session.
Through the initiative, the NSF aims to strengthen access to competitive examination preparation and create opportunities for deserving young people to pursue careers in public service.
