The ongoing controversy surrounding the purported absorption of contractual Assistant Professors within the Higher Education Department has erupted into a significant crisis, exposing severe systemic deficiencies within the department and raising broader governance concerns across Nagaland.
Administrative Opacity Turns Polarizing
What initially seemed like administrative opacity has now escalated into a deeply divisive issue. It has created a schism within arguably the state’s most educated demographic and threatens the future prospects of aspiring intellectuals. The core of this crisis appears to be the department’s repeated disregard for established protocols, marked by consistent procedural errors and questionable decision-making.
Questionable Notifications and a Hasty Retraction
Two key notifications, allegedly issued on December 17, 2024, and April 8, 2025, by the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education, ignited widespread reaction throughout the state. A subsequent hurried circular on April 10, which declared the April 8 notification “null and void,” instead of resolving the issue, has only deepened the existing uncertainty and raised further questions about the department’s handling of the matter.
Concerns Over Authenticity and Official Endorsement
A particularly troubling aspect is that both the contentious notifications and the subsequent withdrawal circular bore the designation “SD” (Signed) of the Nagaland Chief Secretary, yet the physical signatures belonged to other officials. This discrepancy raises a fundamental question about the level of involvement of the state’s top bureaucrat and whether the process has been manipulated using his name. Given the government’s silence on the authenticity of these documents, they must, for now, be considered genuine.
Prior Warnings Ignored: The Nagaland NET Qualified Forum’s Alarm
As far back as January, the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) had voiced serious concerns regarding the legality and fairness of the reported regularization process. In an open letter to the Governor of Nagaland, the NNQF highlighted several pending writ petitions challenging such appointments. It was previously noted that the identities of those being regularized remained unclear in relation to the individuals named in the legal challenges. The controversial April 8 notification has now confirmed that they are, in fact, the same individuals.
Blatant Disregard for Court Orders
This revelation starkly illuminates the actions of the Higher Education Department, which, whether intentionally or not, appear to be in direct contravention of existing court orders. In the initial writ petition filed in 2022, the Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench, issued an interim order specifically prohibiting the regularization of the individuals named as respondents. This judicial restraint was consistently extended during subsequent hearings. Yet, the April 8 absorption notification includes almost all the names currently under legal scrutiny. Such apparent disregard for judicial directives is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about a potential culture of administrative impunity within the department.
Not a Reflection on the Contractual Teachers
It is crucial to clarify that this commentary does not aim to question the merit or credibility of the contractual teachers, many of whom have dedicated years of service. The core issue lies in the administrative handling of this matter, which has placed both the teachers and aspiring candidates in a precarious position due to bureaucratic apathy and audacity.
The Legal Battle Continues: Hope for Judicial Clarity
The legal proceedings are ongoing, with hearings scheduled for April 16 and again in May. Precedents in similar cases, such as those involving police personnel appointments, suggest that the courts are unlikely to Favor irregular appointments made in violation of established procedures. While the judiciary is expected to provide clarity and resolution to this specific issue, a more profound and urgent task lies with the state government.
Urgent Need for Systemic Reforms and Transparency
The State Government, and the Higher Education Department in particular, must undertake significant reforms to rebuild public trust. The stakes are substantial, impacting not only current educators and aspirants but also future generations of students whose futures depend on the integrity of public institutions. The controversial empanelment system at Delhi University (DU) offers both a cautionary example and a potential model for transparent and equitable recruitment practices. It is imperative to address this “monumental mess” to ensure fairness, uphold legality, and safeguard the very integrity of public service in Nagaland.