The Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, has clarified its decision to regularise 98 Medical Officers appointed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The clarification comes amid the Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) announcing an agitation against the move, scheduled for September 1.
According to the department, the decision follows an order of the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, dated August 1, 2025. It stated that the court dismissed NMSA’s challenge to the state government’s policy decision to conduct a Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) for medical officers who had served during the pandemic.
The High Court observed that the petitioners lacked locus standi to contest the policy, ruling that they were not aggrieved parties and had not established grounds for judicial intervention under Article 226 of the Constitution.
“Accordingly, the Interim Order dated 21.11.2024 suspending the Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) stands vacated,” the department confirmed.
The department stated that, in compliance to the court order, it has taken up the regularization of 98 Medical Officers COVID-19 appointees through the Departmental Screening Committee as a one-time dispensation for the SRD in pursuance to Notification No: HFW(A) 10/34/2024/145 dated 18th Aug 2025.
While acknowledging that NMSA has filed an appeal before the High Court, the department maintained that the matter is sub judice and any form of agitation is unwarranted.
The clarification was issued by Dr. Mereninla Senlem, Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare.
