DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 16 (MExN): The Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court has quashed the June 4 corrigendum and the subsequent physical test conducted for recruitment of Excise Constables in Nagaland, ruling that they were held in contravention of prescribed procedures. The Court directed the State respondents to conduct the recruitment strictly in accordance with the original advertisement and existing service rules.
Delivering the judgment on October 16, Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer allowed the writ petition filed by 16 candidates, who had challenged the selection process citing violations of the Nagaland Excise Service (Revised) Rules, 1999 and the government memorandum dated July 19, 2016 prescribing medical and physical standards for recruitment.
The Court quashed Corrigendum No.EX-1/ESTT/1/2022/642-43 dated June 4, 2025 and declared the physical test conducted under it invalid. It directed the State respondents—specifically the Chief Secretary, the Secretary of the Excise and Prohibition Department, and the Commissioner of Excise—to carry out the recruitment “strictly in terms of the advertisement No.EX.1/ESTT/1/2022 dated April 7, 2025 and Memorandum dated July 19, 2016 by having only the (a) Physical Test and (b) Suitability Test (Viva-Voce) as advertised.”
The Court further stated that if the government wishes to include a written test, it must issue a fresh advertisement “compliant with the constitutional mandate” before proceeding with recruitment. “The petition is disposed of with the above directions. No orders as to costs,” the judgment concluded.
Earlier, on August 1, the Kohima Bench had passed an interim order making the ongoing interview process for Excise Constables subject to the outcome of the writ petition.
In their plea, the petitioners argued that the recruitment process violated both the 1999 Service Rules and the 2016 memorandum. They also contended that the constitution of the Departmental Recruitment Board was contrary to Rule 7 of the service rules.
They had sought quashing of Letter No.EX/ESTT/4/2010/556 dated March 25, 2025, Notification No.EX-1/ESTT/1/2022 dated April 23, 2025, Corrigendum No.EX-1/ESTT/1/2022 dated June 4, 2025, and the physical test conducted in contravention of the prescribed standards.
The High Court’s ruling now requires the government to either adhere to the advertised recruitment structure—limited to the physical and viva-voce tests—or issue a new notification if it intends to revise the process.
