The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), a conglomeration of service associations in Nagaland, has appealed to the “conscience of citizens” to defend merit-based governance amid an ongoing protest against the State Government’s alleged attempt to induct a “backdoor applicant” into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
In a statement titled ”Meritocracy and Good Governance: An Appeal by JCC to the Conscience of the Citizens of Nagaland for the Good of Posterity,” the committee said it has been compelled to resort to protest after the Government “ignored repeated representations” regarding the IAS induction process.
The JCC, comprising CANSSEA, NSSA, NF&ASA, NIDA, and FONSESA, has been on a black badge protest since September 24 and an ongoing Pen Down Strike since October 14, in what it describes as a movement “not against any individual candidate nor the Government, but against wrong policies that subvert meritocracy.”
2018 recommendation laid foundation for Clause-4
According to the JCC, the issue has roots in 2018, when the Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA), recognizing the importance of merit-based recruitment to the IAS, submitted a recommendation to the Government through the Chief Secretary. The recommendation stated:
“As regards Non-NCS officers, only those who have been recruited to their present service/post through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) be eligible for appointment under Rule 4(1)(c) and 8(2) of the Indian Administrative Service (Recruitment) Rules, 1954.”
Subsequently, on July 6, 2020, the Government of Nagaland — with the Chief Minister’s approval — issued a vacancy circular for induction of Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) officers into the IAS.
The circular included Clause-4, which stated:
“Only officers recruited through the Nagaland Public Service Commission may apply.”
The JCC said this clause reinforced the integrity of the IAS selection process and aligned with Supreme Court judgments allowing the executive to clarify ambiguities in service rules. Following the 2020 circular, one Non-SCS officer was inducted into the IAS without any objection from the Cabinet, the DoPT, or the UPSC.
Dispute over 2025 induction process
The controversy, according to the JCC, began when a new vacancy circular dated March 10, 2025, was issued with the same Clause-4 intact. The circular invited applications within 15 days, and 11 applications were received. One applicant later withdrew, leaving 10 candidates under consideration.
Of these, six officers had Outstanding (OS) APARs, while four had average gradings below that. On September 25, 2025, the Screening Committee selected five officers for inclusion in the panel list: Vilone Sakhrie – Through NPSC, Neidilhou Keditsu – Through NPSC, Chubasangla Longkumer – Through NPSC, Dr Anungla Imdong Phom – Non-NPSC (on contract basis against Study Leave vacancy), and Theose Thongtsar – Through NPSC.
However, the JCC stated that an RTI disclosure later confirmed its concerns that the eligibility of a non-NPSC appointee had been facilitated through a revised vacancy circular dated April 24, 2025.
“In the guise of procedural lapses, the eligibility of a non-NPSC appointee was facilitated,” the JCC said. “By withdrawing the March 10 circular and issuing the April 24 version, the Government betrayed the intention of ensuring fairness, only to tailor-suit a particular candidate.”
The committee cited the Government spokesperson’s comment that “officers from other modes of appointment should also be given a chance” as evidence of favoritism.
“When appointments to even the lowest rung of government service are routed through the NPSC and the NSSB, the Cabinet feels that a different set of rules should apply to irregularly appointed officers for induction into the IAS,” the statement added.
JCC urges correction of ‘procedural lapses’
The JCC said it has communicated to the Government through the Cabinet Sub-Committee to “rectify the procedural lapses” admitted by the spokesperson. However, it emphasized that such rectification must involve ratifying the March 10, 2025 circular in toto “in line with constitutional obligation and responsibility.”
The committee reiterated two key demands: Cancellation of the panel list based on flawed applications and procedural errors under the April 24, 2025 circular and Restoration of the March 10, 2025 vacancy circular in its original form.
“These demands,” the JCC said, “are in line with merit, moral and procedural propriety.”
“The JCC has taken this noble stand against the induction of a backdoor recruit into the IAS and to safeguard the fragile position of meritocracy in a system where political favoritism abounds,” the statement concluded.
Calling the protest “a conscience call,” the JCC said the movement seeks “legal, political and moral correctness and propriety in matters of State governance.”
NTPRADAO (PJ) condemns Minister Kaito’s remarks on JCC strike
The Nagaland Transparency Public Rights Advocacy and Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO-PJ) has condemned the remarks made by Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) G. Kaito Aye, calling them “illogical” and “deeply hurtful” to the moral sentiments of the Naga people amid the ongoing Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) protest over IAS induction.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisation said it “condemns the remarks of Hon’ble Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges) G. Kaito Aye, for illogically and unilaterally appealing to the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on IAS induction to reconsider its ongoing pen-down strike; for deeply hurting the moral sentiments and good conscience of the overwhelming majority of the entire Naga populace in Nagaland.”
NTPRADAO (PJ) stated that the minister’s comments “unfortunately came at a wrong time and a wrong place—that is, Nagaland—wherein currently Naga people were desperately crying for justice for future Naga generations.”
The organisation took particular exception to the minister’s reported remark that “let us not drift into a situation where public offices and services are overshadowed by agitation.” In response, NTPRADAO (PJ) questioned, “why the government of the day is so insensitive and unrelenting for the welfare of the interest of the entire government officials instead choosing a favourite back-door appointee, even after more than two weeks of continuous struggle for justice.”
It also extended support to other organisations that have backed the JCC’s stand, stating, “The NTPRADAO (PJ) also lauded the influential CNTC and DNSU for coming out openly in favour of JCC demand notwithstanding or forgoing any nature of undue pressure tactics from any external quarters.”
Further, it appealed to all citizens to stand in solidarity with the cause. “It appeals to all CSOs, intellectuals, writers and concerned citizens to speak to their inner being and conscience and pledge support for the JCC cause till an amicable settlement is forthcoming,” the statement added.
The JCC, comprising several service associations including CANSSEA, NSSA, NF&ASA, NIDA, and FONSESA, has been on a black badge protest since September 24 and a pen-down strike since October 14, opposing what it describes as the government’s attempt to induct a “backdoor appointee” into the IAS.