Nagaland celebrated its 63rd Statehood Day on Monday at the Secretariat Plaza in Kohima, where Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio highlighted peace efforts, developmental achievements and a forward-looking agenda for the State.
The celebration opened with a Parade Review by Director General of Police Rupin Sharma. Contingents from multiple NAP battalions, Village Guards, the NPTS Central Brass Band, Nagaland Police Auxiliary Brass Band and the 15th NAP (IR) Mahila Pipe Band took part in the March Past. Akihito X. Sumi served as Parade Commander and Zaren Yanthan was Second in Command.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister extended greetings and reflected on Nagaland’s progress since attaining Statehood. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to an early and inclusive settlement of the Naga Political Question and referred to the Political Affairs Committee’s endorsement of the Ungma Statement. Rio appealed to all Naga Political Groups, the Government of India and stakeholders to “appreciate the pressing urgency” to reach a final agreement.
On Eastern Nagaland, he said the Government remains committed to addressing aspirations connected to the Frontier Nagaland Territory Area and expressed hope for a mutually acceptable outcome following recent tripartite talks.
Rio announced that the 26th Hornbill Festival will feature its largest international participation with six partner countries and Arunachal Pradesh as the State Partner. He also highlighted youth and sports initiatives, stating that 31 indoor stadiums and 28 futsal grounds have been sanctioned and that a District Sports Fund of Rs 23 lakh per Assembly Constituency will begin in 2025-26. He added that Nagaland is preparing to host the Asian Women’s Sepaktakraw Championship 2026.
On education and technology, he said an AI Lab has been set up at ICIT Mokokchung with Intel India and an Innovation Hub for Startups is being established in Chümoukedima. He announced the creation of 129 Assistant Professor posts and said four new Model Degree Colleges have been approved for Niuland, Shamator, Noklak and Tseminyu. Under the NECTAR project, Lighthouse School Complexes are under construction across 16 districts; while examination reforms and a new music education initiative with Yamaha India are underway.
Rio reported progress in transport and tourism infrastructure, noting proposals for landing strips at Kohima, Mokokchung, Mon and Tuensang. He said Noune, Shilloi and Doyang lakes have been identified as inland waterway corridors. On power, he said the Nagarjan Substation’s capacity has been raised to 350 MVA and that a new substation at Tsitrongse is under construction.
Chief Minister Rio noted significant progress in Urban Development, highlighting a two-day orientation for newly elected municipal councillors and the delivery of sanitation vehicles to Urban Local Bodies. He also mentioned the inauguration of the Kohima Peace Memorial and Eco-Park, constructed with Japanese support, as a symbol of international friendship.
In healthcare, state-wide initiatives like SwasthNari and Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan are ongoing, with Nagaland achieving zero malaria cases in seven districts. A 400-bed Medical College Hospital at NIMSR, Kohima, is under development with assistance from JICA.
Regarding Agriculture, Industry, and Rural Livelihoods, the state continues to expand programs under Agri Stack, using machine-learning analytics to increase productivity. Projects in horticulture, sericulture, and fisheries are growing, and Nagaland’s coffee sector is gaining prominence, exporting to South Africa, the EU, and the Middle East. The recent 219th Coffee Board of India Meeting held in Kohima marked a first for the Northeast.
Rio also reported that the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission supports over 136,000 rural households across more than 15,000 Self-Help Groups. MGNREGA has provided employment to 259,000 households, with women contributing nearly half of the labor. The Department of Underdeveloped Areas continues infrastructure development through UDAP and the Vibrant Village Programme, with the Konyak Heritage Complex in Mon district nearing completion.
Concluding, the Chief Minister praised Nagaland as the most peaceful state in India, free from serious law and order issues or major security challenges. He welcomed the Centre’s decision to ease the PAP regime for the Hornbill Festival and urged its permanent removal to promote tourism and economic growth. He called on citizens to unite for a prosperous, inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable future.
Other events included the virtual inauguration of 120 libraries and digital infrastructure for children and adolescents, the launch of the Nagaland Scholarship Nodal Cell, and the release of books documenting traditional attire and ornaments of ten indigenous tribes. The DREAM Nagaland book, PM Vishwakarma Scheme publications, the Nagaland Entrepreneurship & Impact Forum 2035, and the StateSync and Discover Kisama apps were also launched. The Chief Minister distributed tablets to accredited journalists and flagged off ten sanitation vehicles for Urban Local Bodies.
Additionally, Rio inaugurated a photo exhibition titled “Journey of Nagaland Down the Decades,” organised by the Department of Information & Public Relations, featuring images from pre-statehood times to recent developments.
Dignitaries, government officials and members of the public attended the program.
President, PM greets
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended their greetings to the people of Nagaland on their Statehood Day. In a social media post, the President said the state’s tribal diversity and unique heritage continue to be a source of pride. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the rich Naga culture, describing it as one rooted in service, courage, and compassion, and widely admired across the country.
Nagaland House New Delhi celebrates 63rd Statehood Day
New Delhi, 1 December: The 63rd Statehood Day of Nagaland was celebrated at Nagaland House, 29 Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Road, New Delhi, on 1st December 2025. Joint Resident Commissioner (JRC) of Nagaland House, New Delhi, Sharon Longchari, unfurled the national flag to mark the occasion. The celebration was attended by senior officers, staff of Nagaland House, and invited guests.
Addressing the gathering, Longchari said the day is an opportunity to reflect on and appreciate the progress the State has made since its formation. Recounting the State’s journey, she stated that despite facing numerous challenges and being a small state with a population of less than two million, Nagaland has big aspirations. She added that achieving these goals requires the participation and cooperation of all.
(With DIPR inputs)
