Nagaland medical students protest regularisation of 280 contractual health workers
Kohima: Alleging that all recruitment should be merit-based and conducted through open competitive examinations, several medical students in Nagaland on Saturday staged a protest opposing the state government’s move to regularise 280 contractual health workers who were appointed during COVID-19 without conducting competitive examinations. While the government clarified that the move was in line with a high court ruling, the students announced they would continue their peaceful protest until the decision is revoked.
The agitators, under the aegis of Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA), staged the demonstration outside the Department of Health and Family Welfare office in Kohima. During the protest, they held banners and placards demanding justice while also shouting slogans seeking free, fair and equal opportunity to all aspiring candidates through competitive exams.
The demonstration comes in the wake of the state government issuing a notification on August 18, announcing the regularisation of 280 COVID-era appointees, including 98 medical officers, dentists, Ayush practitioners, and nurses, through a departmental screening.
The NMSA contended that this bypasses constitutionally mandated recruitment processes and violates the Nagaland Health Service Rules, 2006, which require all Class-I gazetted officer posts to be filled up through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC).
“This decision undermines meritocracy and violates Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before law and equal opportunity in public employment,” NMSA president Pito S Rochill said during the protest.
The student body demanded an immediate revocation of the August 18 notification and insisted that all future appointments in the health sector be conducted through open competitive examinations via NPSC.
“We are not against those who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. But if regularisation must happen, it should be done through fair and open procedures,” NMSA general secretary Bonoto P Zimo said.
They argued that the government’s decision to bypass written exams for Class-I posts sets a dangerous precedent. Under the Nagaland Health Service Rules, recruitment for such posts requires 100 per cent selection through NPSC.
“Why are recruitment rules in place if they are not to be followed?” asked Rochill, calling the move “illegal and arbitrary”.
Clarification from the government
In response to the agitation and demands for the revocation of the government order, the Nagaland Health Department yesterday stated that any form of protest will be unnecessary and unjustified since the decision was taken based on the Gauhati High Court's ruling that dismissed the NMSA’s challenge to the State Government’s decision to conduct an Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) for medical officers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the government clarified that the matter remains sub-judiced due to an appeal against the ruling.
As per the Morung Express media report, the High Court held that the petitioners had no locus standi to challenge the policy decision, as they were not aggrieved persons and had not made out a case warranting judicial interference under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.
A press release issued by Dr Mereninla Senlem, Principal Director, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland on August 31 stated, "The Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, in its August 1 judgment on two writ petitions [WP(C)/239/2024 and WP(C)/187/2024], dismissed the NMSA’s challenge to the State Government’s decision to conduct a SRD for medical officers who served during the COVID-19 pandemic. The High Court held that the petitioners had no locus standi to challenge the policy decision, as they were not aggrieved persons and had not made out a case warranting judicial interference under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. Accordingly, the Interim Order dated November 21, 2024, suspending the Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) stands vacated."
In compliance with the Court’s order, the Department has proceeded with the regularisation of the 98 COVID-19 medical officers through the Departmental Screening Committee as a one-time dispensation for the SRD, in pursuance of the notification dated 18 August 2025..
However, as the petitioners have already filed an appeal before the High Court, the Department reiterated that the matter remains sub-judiced, and any form of agitation is unwarranted.
When asked about this, NMSA leaders clarified that while a previous plea was “dismissed”, the court did not issue any directive allowing or endorsing the regularisation by the department. “The case was dismissed without direction. That does not mean the government can proceed unchecked,” the NMSA president added.
Asked if they are seeking a legal course, Rochill said they are in the process of appealing and will explore legal remedies if necessary.
Protest intensification
Not agreeing with the government's response in this regard, the association has decided to intensify their protest for now and announced to continue its protest today. According to the NMSA, protesters will gather at 9:30 AM at the Secretariat Bus Stand in Kohima before marching in a procession to the Department of Health & Family Welfare, where the demonstration will take place, reports India Today NE.
In a press release issued on August 27, the association called the government's move arbitrary, unjust, and in gross violation of the Nagaland Health Service Rules, 2006, which clearly mandate that Class-I Gazetted Officers are to be recruited only through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) by way of a duly advertised written examination and viva voce.
"Such regularisation of class one gazetted contractual posts will permanently harm the integrity of Nagaland’s public health service system, creating stagnancy in future recruitments and denying opportunities to deserving and meritorious candidates for years to come," the press release reads.
Between 2015–2024, the Department recruited approximately 61 Medical Officers through the NPSC advertised, written and viva voce. Yet, in one notification alone, 98 contractual officers are being regularised outside the NPSC process. This sharp contrast reveals a complete deviation from norms and fairness, especially when Nagaland produces over 152 MBBS graduates and 12 dental graduates annually, said the association.
The NMSA strongly reiterates that if the Department proceeds with this unfair and unconstitutional move, the Association will be left with no option but to exercise its full democratic rights, including resorting to agitation, to safeguard the future of medical aspirants and uphold justice and meritocracy in the state.
PTI sources said that the regularisation process, including medical fitness tests and interviews, began on August 27. NMSA leaders expressed disappointment that no advance information about the interview dates was made available, and alleged that the entire process lacks transparency.
The protesters appealed to civil society, student bodies, NGOs, and the general public to join their demand for justice and transparency.
“If we allow this to happen, we are accepting a system that ignores merit and institutional integrity. We will continue this protest with our members, parents, and supporters until the order is revoked,” Rochill said.
The NMSA has vowed to continue peaceful demonstrations and is considering legal escalation. Leaders emphasised that they are exercising their democratic rights and will not relent until fair recruitment norms are upheld.
