Candidates participate in physical test of Nagaland Police recruitment rally held at Parade ground, Noklak in January 2026. (DIPR Photo)
Posts to remain within respective districts and tribes concerned: Patton
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 9
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Home Y Patton today said that certain districts have been unable to fill their allotted quota due to the failure of the candidates in the physical fitness test in the ongoing Nagaland Police Constable Recruitment drive.
Advisor Water Resources, Tongpang Ozukum through a starred question asked the Dy CM whether some districts were unable to fill their allotted quota in the ongoing police constable recruitment due to candidates failing the Physical Efficiency Test (PET). Ozukum sought details on the total number of posts that remain unfilled on day-3 of the Eighth Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly at NLA Hall, Kohima on March 9.
Replying to the MLA, Patton informed the House that Mokokchung remains 43 unfilled posts, Longleng- 1, Tseminyu-3, and Wokha-1, while Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland together have 30 male and 2 female unfilled posts, bringing the total number of unfilled posts to 80.
Replying to supplementary question on separate recruitment for the concerned districts, Patton said that there will be no separate recruitment for these vacancies, and the posts will also not be included in the next departmental recruitment advertisement. “Instead, the backlog vacancies will be advertised separately by the department through a recruitment drive, and the posts will remain within the respective districts and tribes concerned,” he clarified.
Also joining the views expressed by other legislators, Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio commented, “In police recruitment, police service means it is physical fitness. Therefore, mentally, if they want to be a policeman, they should train themselves before hand to face that challenge of physical test and also medical test.”
For 80 unfilled posts, which had not been occupied by various tribes, they may be given another chance, but should not be kept forever. Because there is something wrong if you keep waiting, then it will become another issue. Therefore, a second chance can be given, but not beyond that, he said.
Earlier, while acknowledging the reply, Ozukum appreciated the initiative of the Home Department in conducting the constable recruitment after a long gap, stating that it was a welcome step particularly for the unemployed youth of the state.
MLAs Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, Achumbemo Kikon and Pongshi Phom also raised concerns and offered suggestions regarding the physical and written tests.
The members suggested that the department should review the weightage of the written examination and place greater emphasis on the physical test, considering that policing largely requires physical capability.
Patton said that the views expressed by the members have been taken into consideration and a report will be submitted after review.
