Nagaland associations express ‘strong disappointment’ over IAS vacancy withdrawal

The Core Committee representing the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees’ Association (CANSSEA), Federation of Nagaland State Engineers’ Service Association (FONSESA), Nagaland Secretariat Service Association (NSSA), and Nagaland Finance & Accounts Services Association (NF&ASA) has expressed strong “disappointment and concern” over the withdrawal of the Vacancy Circular dated March 10, 2025, which pertained to the induction of Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) officers into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

In a statement, the Core Committee said that the Associations had earlier submitted a formal letter to the government “objecting to the withdrawal of the circular after the lapse of the 15-day application window, and without any clear justification.” A follow-up reminder was also submitted on April 4, 2025, reaffirming that the “original circular was fair, transparent, and merit-based—satisfying all eligibility criteria.”

The Core Committee highlighted that the circular issued on 10th March 2025 was “initially lauded by the associations for setting a precedent—requiring that aspirants for IAS induction must have entered service through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC), a step that upheld merit and transparency.”

However, the abrupt withdrawal via a circular issued on March 25, 2025, just one day after the application deadline, followed by the State Government’s decision on March 27, 2025, to re-advertise the vacancy citing Central Government guidelines, “raises serious concerns,” the Core Committee stated.

They further stressed that “several meritorious officers who had entered service through the NPSC had already submitted applications before the withdrawal.” According to the Associations, this action “not only undermines their aspirations but also erodes trust in the principles of meritocracy and good governance.”

In light of the developments, the Core Committee “reiterates its demand that the Government implement the original Vacancy Circular dated 10th March 2025 in letter and spirit” and “urges that the selection process be conducted in a manner that ensures merit, transparency, and fairness.”

MT