Unraveling Nagaland's Contentious Job Quota Divide: A Deep Dive into the NSSB Controversy

Nagaland finds itself embroiled in a fresh and contentious debate over its job quota system, specifically concerning the allocation of posts in the upcoming Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) Combined Staff Recruitment Examination (CSRE) 2024. This simmering dispute has brought public organizations and the state government to a head, with accusations of unfairness and demands for policy revisions.

The genesis of the current furore lies in the government's notification for 1,001 posts.

Out of these, a significant 118 positions were earmarked for direct recruitment through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) for services such as NCS (Nagaland Civil Service), NPS (Nagaland Police Service), NSS (Nagaland Secretariat Service), and Allied Services. The remaining 883 posts were designated for the NSSB, encompassing a variety of departments and services.

However, the Public Service Aspirants of Nagaland (PSAN) and the Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) have vehemently challenged this distribution.

Their core grievance revolves around what they perceive as a disproportionate reservation of posts. They highlight that a staggering 80% of Group A and B (non-gazetted) positions are being channelled through the NPSC for these select services, leaving a mere 20% for direct recruitment by the NSSB.

These organizations argue that this allocation directly contradicts a crucial Cabinet decision made in 2020.

This earlier decision, they contend, stipulated that all non-gazetted posts across Group A, B, and C categories should fall under the purview of the NSSB. Their demand is clear: the government must adhere to this 2020 resolution and ensure that the NSSB is responsible for recruiting all non-gazetted positions, thereby creating a more equitable playing field for a broader range of aspirants.

The government, in its defence, maintains that the current distribution is in line with a 2010 Cabinet decision.

Furthermore, it asserts that the allocation is consistent with the Nagaland Civil Service (Gazetted Branch) Service Rules, 2023. This stance indicates a reliance on established administrative frameworks and earlier policy directives to justify the present quota system.

The implications of this dispute are far-reaching, directly impacting the career aspirations of countless young people in Nagaland.

The PSAN has already issued an ultimatum, threatening widespread agitation if their demands are not met, signalling a potential escalation of the issue. This makes the resolution of this job quota controversy not just an administrative challenge, but a critical matter of public sentiment and future employment opportunities within the state.