Mandates service in remote districts for promotion
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 6
In the interest of good governance, equitable deployment, and professional development of forest officers, the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (DEFCC) has framed the Nagaland Forest Department Officers’ Transfer Policy, 2026, pursuant to approval from the competent authority.
Dr Y Atsase Thongtsar, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, stated that the Governor of Nagaland notified the policy in the interest of public service. The policy aims to ensure transparency, objectivity, and fairness in transfers and postings while maintaining operational efficiency in forest management across the State.
This policy supersedes all previous orders, circulars, or guidelines on the subject and shall come into force from the date of its official notification by the Government of Nagaland, according to Y Kikheto Sema, Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, Nagaland.
Scope of applicability
This Policy is applicable to all officers of the Nagaland Forest Department from the rank of Deputy Ranger Officer and above, up to and including the rank of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF)/Divisional Forest Officer (DFO).
With effect from this Policy, officers of the Indian Forest Service (IFS) cadre posted in Nagaland up to and including the rank of DCF/DFO, shall also be governed by this Policy to the extent specified herein, in addition to and not in derogation of the All India Services (Cadre) Rules, 1954 and other applicable IFS service rules.
Categorisation of Posting Stations
For transfer and posting purposes, the entire State of Nagaland is divided into three categories based on accessibility, infrastructure availability, hardship, and remoteness:
• Category A (relatively well-connected, accessible, and offering standard amenities): Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland, Kohima, Tseminyu, Peren, and Mokokchung.
• Category B (moderately accessible with limited amenities): Zunheboto, Wokha, Phek, and Meluri.
• Category C (geographically remote, difficult to access, and presenting significant logistical and operational challenges): Mon, Longleng, Tuensang, Shamator, Noklak, and Kiphire.
Tenure of Posting
The standard tenure of a posting at any station shall be a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years, constituting one full term.
Early Transfer Before Completion of Minimum Tenure Transfers before the completion of the minimum three-year tenure shall ordinarily not be made, except in the following circumstances: exigency of public service or administrative necessity, with reasons to be recorded in writing, disciplinary proceedings requiring transfer, serious medical grounds certified by a competent authority and d) Any other exceptional circumstances as determined by the competent authority.
Officers transferred on personal grounds before completing the minimum tenure shall not be entitled to Transfer Allowance and the transfer shall be treated as being at the officer’s own cost.
Mandatory posting requirements under Categories ‘B’ and ‘С’
In category ‘C’, every officer covered under this Policy shall be required to serve at least one full term (minimum 3 years) in a Category C posting during their service career.
This mandatory category C posting ensures equitable distribution of fieldwork across the cadre, builds operational competence and promotes career breadth and exposure to diverse forest management challenges.
In addition to mandatory Category C service, every officer shall be required to serve a minimum of two years in a Category B posting to be eligible for the next promotion.
Combined eligibility for promotion
An officer is eligible for promotion to the next higher rank only after satisfactory completion of at least one term (minimum three years) in Category C and at least two years in Category B, or after continuously serving five years in Category C.
An officer who has not completed mandatory Category C service is not eligible for promotion, a provision intended to ensure that Category C postings are not avoided. Regarding posting priority, officers who have rendered continuous service exceeding five years in Category C, or at least three years in Category C plus a minimum of two years in Category B without any intervening posting in Category A, are eligible to request posting to Category A, as the case may be; such cases shall be considered by the Department on priority in recognition of sustained service in Category B and/or Category C.
The Policy also frames a mechanism for saving the seniority of State Forest Service (SFS) Officers for induction into the Indian Forest Service (IFS). Rotation across Forest Wings shall, to the extent possible, give officers posting experience across different functional wings of the Department, including Territorial Divisions, Wildlife Divisions, and functional/HQ Divisions.
Annual transfer season
Under Scheduled Transfer Window, applications for general transfers shall be invited every year by the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF) during January to March.
Routine transfers shall ordinarily be carried out once a year during a designated Transfer Season, preferably between November and January each year, to minimize disruption to field operations. Ad hoc or out-of-season transfers shall be discouraged.
Before the annual transfer season, officers completing or about to complete their prescribed tenure shall be identified, vacancies shall be mapped across all Categories and a draft transfer list shall be prepared by the Administration Wing and placed before the competent authority for approval.
Officers shall be given a reasonable notice period before they are required to join the new station.
General principles and saving clause
These guidelines constitute policy directions and do not confer any right on an individual officer for a specific transfer or posting.
Relaxation from provisions of this Policy may be permitted in exceptional cases of extreme hardship or in the interest of public service, as deemed fit by the competent authority.
The Government reserves the right to modify, amend, or revoke any provision of this Policy at any time in public interest.
In all matters not specifically covered by this Policy, the general rules and orders of the Government of Nagaland regarding service conditions and transfers shall apply.
