The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) comprising CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA, and NF&ASA has released a detailed chronology of events outlining the developments surrounding the ongoing IAS induction issue involving the inclusion of Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) officers.
According to the JCC, the issue dates back to November 30, 2018, when the Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA) submitted a representation to the Government seeking the inclusion of an NPSC clause in the selection process for Non-SCS officers. Acting on this, a Vacancy Circular incorporating the clause was issued on July 6, 2020, with the approval of the Chief Minister, following which one Non-SCS officer was inducted into the IAS.
A similar Vacancy Circular was issued again on March 10, 2025, reportedly approved only by the Chief Secretary.
Subsequently, CANSSEA wrote to the Government on March 13 acknowledging its commitment to merit and transparency. However, the circular was abruptly withdrawn on March 25 – one day after the deadline for submission of applications—without any stated reason.
The JCC noted that on March 27, 2025, the Cabinet decided to re-advertise the circular in accordance with Central guidelines, but added that the withdrawal had already taken place prior to the Cabinet’s decision. Representations from the Core Committee on March 27 and April 4 urged restoration of the March 10 circular, while a new Vacancy Circular issued on April 24 omitted the NPSC clause “by default.”
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Further representations were submitted on August 28 cautioning the Government that democratic forms of agitation would follow if the March circular was not restored. With no response forthcoming, the JCC initiated peaceful protests from September 24 by wearing black badges, followed by a three-day pen down strike from October 14 to 16, which was later extended indefinitely.
On October 13, the group also submitted representations to the DoPT and UPSC, asserting that “merit is sought to be compromised.”
A Cabinet Sub-Committee was later constituted, and a meeting was held on October 20; however, the JCC stated that it yielded “no assurance and no positive outcome.” A tools down strike initially scheduled for October 27 was put on hold following a meeting with the Chief Secretary, although the pen down strike continued.
On October 30, the Government offered three working days for dialogue. The JCC said it submitted a reminder letter on November 3, but with the deadline expiring the same day, it has decided to intensify its agitation beginning November 6.
Stating that “much patience has run out anticipating the Government to do the right thing,” the JCC appealed to the public to bear with its course of action, asserting that the issue concerns the principles of “merit and transparency” in IAS induction from the Non-SCS category.
The statement was issued by the Media Cell of the JCC on November 4.
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