The Government of Nagaland has regularised the services of 97 medical officers who were engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DHFW) said in a press release issued on Saturday.
The decision follows the approval accorded by the State Cabinet vide No. CAB-1/14/2023 dated August 7, 2024, and the judgment passed by the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, in WA/25/2025 on December 11, 2025.
According to the press release, the state government was represented by the Advocate General, Nagaland, and his team during the court proceedings.
The regularisation was carried out on the recommendation of the Departmental Screening Committee and “in the interest of public service,” the department said.
The medical officers have been regularised with immediate effect vide Notification No. HFW(A)10/34/2024/5 dated December 16, 2025, the release added.
The press release was issued by Dr Mereninla Senlem, Principal Director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, Kohima.
The decision comes against the backdrop of an earlier protest by the Naga Medical Students’ Association (NMSA), which had raised objections to the regularisation of medical officers engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing concerns over recruitment norms and fairness in appointments.