On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day celebrations held at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio presented an overview of the government’s ongoing efforts aimed at the state’s development. He spoke about the goal of achieving Vikshit Bharat by 2047 and highlighted key programs across sectors such as education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and technology.
Dr. Rio pointed to the development of human resources, maintaining peace and security, and adopting digital innovations as important factors in Nagaland’s growth. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the state’s first Drone School and launched the MARCOFED e-commerce platform ‘Naga Bazaar,’ marking steps towards integrating modern technology with the state’s traditional economy.
Govt committed to achieve Vikshit Bharat @2047, human resource development key
Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio stated that the Government remains committed to make concerted endeavours in every area and sectors of development for achieving the goal of Vikshit Bharat @ 2047, along with every other state in the country.
Towards these achievements, Dr. Neiphiu Rio said that the development of human resources of the state cannot be overemphasized. Highlighting the importance of developing human resources in Nagaland, Rio said the Department of School Education, under NESIDS (OTRI), recently completed an in-service teachers training and examination centre with residential facilities at Medziphema, Chumoukedima district. This centre, along with related IT infrastructure, was inaugurated by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on December 5, 2025. Additionally, the State Level Education Committee has approved a three-month certificate course for language teachers and officials of Nagaland’s recognized languages, developed in collaboration with Nagaland University to enhance teaching skills and language proficiency.
The Chief Minister noted that the Labour Department is establishing a Skill Centre for the Construction Sector in partnership with the Construction Skill Development Council. To improve governance and transparency, the department has introduced a new online system for registration and licensing as of November 13, 2025. The technical education sector has achieved NBA accreditation for three polytechnics, and progress is underway to upgrade Khelhoshe Polytechnic in Atoizu to a degree college. An MoU with ARMS Incorporation, Japan, focusing on employment for technical graduates, is also in development.
To improve scholarship management, the Nagaland Scholarship Nodal Cell was established at the Directorate of Higher Education on December 1, 2025. The State Cabinet approved the Guidelines on Coaching Centres 2025, which set mandatory standards for registration, safety, fee regulation, teacher qualification, and ethical practices.
The Department of Youth Resources and Sports is working to empower youth and strengthen the sports ecosystem. Nagaland hosted the Dr. Talimeren Ao Junior Girls National Football Championship 2025-26 from November 22 to December 11, 2025, with participation from thirteen states and union territories. This was the first national-level football championship held in Nagaland. The state is preparing to host the 9th North East Youth Festival in March 2026, expected to bring together over 1,200 youth from across the northeastern states.
Continued focus on agriculture and allied sectors
Highlighting the state’s continued focus on agriculture and allied sectors, Rio announced that the Agriculture Department has engaged AG Horizon Pvt. Ltd as the Programme Management Unit and Consultancy to oversee the implementation of various projects and initiatives taken by the Department and for identification and formulation of projects.
Under the PM-KISAN scheme, more than 2.38 lakh farmers have benefited with over Rs 763 crore directly credited to their bank accounts. The state has also been implementing the National Mission on Natural Farming since 2024-25 to promote sustainable farming using bio-inputs produced on farms.
Rio stated that the Horticulture Department, through the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) 2025-26, expanded cultivation across 1,290 hectares of fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, and medicinal plants. Plans under RKVY include establishing an apple processing unit, a low-cost oyster mushroom unit, and cultivating the GI-tagged Tree Tomato crop to boost livelihoods.
The Land Resources Department organized the Watershed Mahotsav Campaign 2025 and inventoried 7,369 springs across 1,318 villages. The Soil & Water Conservation Department inaugurated 12 biofertilizer units and a Command and Control Center.
The Animal Husbandry Department is vaccinating 60,000 bovines against Foot and Mouth Disease under the National Animal Disease Control Programme and setting up nine meat production units. The Fisheries Department is developing 10 hectares of water bodies and plans to implement a Table Fish Production Farm under NEC.
The Sericulture Department supports 120 women beneficiaries in eri silkworm rearing across five districts, providing training, plantations, rearing houses, equipment, and silkworm seeds.
Nagaland among safest states, police strengthen crime fight
Rio said the state has remained one of the most peaceful in the country with a strong law and order situation. He noted that the 2023 NCRB report ranks Nagaland as the second safest state with a low crime rate of 84.9 per lakh population.
He also said the police have strengthened efforts against new-age crimes through improved cybercrime capabilities and intensified action against narcotics, seizing large quantities of drugs and arresting traffickers to protect communities. The Chief Minister said that Nagaland Police has been conducting a vigorous campaign against narcotics, targeting trafficking networks. In the past year, the police seized 230 kg of NDPS drugs and around 1 lakh units of synthetic drugs. A total of 135 NDPS cases were registered, leading to the arrest of 218 individuals.
Progress in social welfare, infrastructure, and disaster management
Rio said the Department of Social Welfare has operationalized One Stop Centres in all 17 districts and notified the Nagaland Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Rules 2025 on 2nd December 2025. The Department of Food and Civil Supplies has achieved full online allocation and supply chain management.
The Chief Minister noted expanded healthcare access through Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS). Over 5.78 lakh PM-JAY and CMHIS (General) cards and 1.92 lakh CMHIS (EP) cards have been issued, benefiting more than one lakh people with claim payouts exceeding Rs 450 crores. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is improving healthcare delivery by digitally registering health facilities and professionals. He also mentioned a new MoU with FSSAI to strengthen the food safety ecosystem.
Regarding infrastructure, the Public Works Department is handling 11 road projects under NESIDS covering 205.92 km. Under SASCI 2025-26, 56 road projects totaling 463.05 km and one RCC bridge of 25 meters are underway. The PMGSY scheme includes 545.12 km of rural roads using eco-friendly FDR technology.
In the power sector, the Nagarjan Sub-station in Dimapur was upgraded from 200 MVA to 350 MVA, inaugurated on 5th December 2025. Installation of Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) is progressing to improve communication between substations and the regional grid.
The Jal Jeevan Mission has provided over 3.41 lakh Functional Household Tap Connections across 1,100 rural villages. The Department of Industries & Commerce is constructing worksheds for 154 weavers and developing incubation centres for food processing and startups.
The Department of Underdeveloped Areas has implemented iconic projects in six eastern districts, including the Konyak Heritage Complex in Mon district, which hosted the Hornbill Festival – Mon Edition in December 2025.
The Art and Culture Department launched libraries for children and adolescents statewide, officially inaugurated on Statehood Day, 1st December 2025.
Finally, disaster management improved with the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority developing “ELIONA,” a high-performance supercomputer for real-time modeling of rainfall, landslides, and hydrology data, enhancing disaster risk governance.
Nagaland inaugurates first drone school and centre of excellence
Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio inaugurated Nagaland’s first Drone School and Drone Centre of Excellence on January 26, 2026, at the Nagaland GIS and Remote Sensing Centre, Kohima. This initiative by the State GIS & Remote Sensing Centre aims to equip youth with advanced drone technology skills and promote innovation-driven employment.
The school will offer DGCA-compliant Remote Pilot Certificate courses and short-term programs in drone flying, repair, and data analysis. The first batch of 50 trainees, sponsored by the Nagaland Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Mission, begins training on January 27, 2026, with free courses and placement support.
With an allocation of Rs 2.50 crore under the State Plan for FY 2025–26, the Drone School is expected to strengthen skill development, enhance governance through drone-enabled services, and create new livelihood opportunities across Nagaland.
MARCOFED launches ‘Naga Bazaar’ to boost local economy
Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio launched the Nagaland State Co-operative Marketing & Consumers’ Federation Ltd. (MARCOFED) e-commerce portal, www.nagabazaar.com, during Republic Day celebrations in Kohima. This hyper-local quick delivery platform aims to strengthen Nagaland’s local economy through digital innovation and cooperative participation, connecting producers and consumers across the state.
The platform connects local producers and cooperatives with consumers, promoting quick delivery, fair pricing, and inclusive growth. It supports Nagaland’s goal of a self-reliant, digitally empowered economy. (With DIPR inputs)
