Medical students, led by the Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA), staged a peaceful protest outside the Department of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) office in Kohima on Saturday, opposing the state government’s August 18 notification to regularize 280 contractual health workers without competitive examinations. The move, which includes 98 medical officers/junior specialists, 47 nurses, and other posts from the COVID-19 period, violates the Nagaland Health Service Rules, 2006, and constitutional principles, the protesters argued.

NMSA President Pito S. Rochill condemned the decision as “illegal and arbitrary,” citing Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, which ensure equality and equal opportunity in public employment. The 2006 Rules mandate that Class-I gazetted posts, equivalent to Extra Assistant Commissioners, be filled solely through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) via written exams and interviews. “Why have recruitment rules if they’re ignored?” Rochill asked, warning that bypassing NPSC undermines meritocracy and risks diluting healthcare quality. The NMSA noted that Nagaland produces over 152 MBBS and 12 dental graduates annually, yet only 61 medical officers were recruited through NPSC from 2015–2024, compared to the proposed regularization of 98 in one go.

General Secretary Bonoto P. Zimo clarified that the association supports COVID-era workers but insists on fair, open recruitment. “Regularization must follow transparent procedures,” Zimo said, highlighting the lack of public disclosure about interview dates, with the process already underway since August 27. The NMSA refuted claims that a Gauhati High Court ruling on August 1 endorsed the regularization, stating the court dismissed two petitions without directing the government to proceed, as petitioners were not deemed “aggrieved persons.” Rochill added that the NMSA is preparing to appeal and explore legal remedies.

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The protesters, holding banners and chanting slogans like “No NPSC, No Justice,” demanded the immediate revocation of the notification and the requisition of all 280 posts to NPSC or the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) for open recruitment. They warned that regularizing 40% of the state’s medical officer workforce through departmental screening could set a “dangerous precedent,” compromising healthcare integrity. The Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) echoed this, calling the move a violation of meritocracy.

The NMSA appealed to civil society, NGOs, and citizens to join their movement, vowing to escalate peaceful protests with parents and supporters until the order is revoked. “We’re exercising our democratic rights to protect the future of medical aspirants,” Rochill said. The H&FW Department has not issued a public response, and officials were unavailable for comment. The protest follows a similar 2024 agitation against a proposed departmental exam, reflecting ongoing tensions over recruitment practices in Nagaland’s health sector.

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