Nagaland Job Quota Panel Faces Criticism from Tribal Group

Quick Summary

• A collective of five non-backward Naga tribes (Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi) criticized the formation of a commission to review Nagaland’s job reservation policy for 10 backward tribes.
• The State Cabinet approved a seven-member Job Reservation Commission on August 6, 2025. It is headed by a retired IAS officer with representatives from Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), and Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN).
• Government spokesperson K.G.Kenye cited official data: Five non-backward tribes currently hold 64% of government jobs compared to 34% held by backward tribes.
• The Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) claimed the reservation review commission’s composition is biased and called for an independent panel after framing proper terms of reference.
• CoRRP criticized the decision as a repetition of previous meetings that ignored their core demands.
• Government reforms address job imbalance and may coincide with India’s caste-based census in January 2026.
• Introduced in 1977, the reservation policy allocated quotas based on socio-economic disadvantages but has as been deemed outdated by critics.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The establishment of the Job Reservation Commission reflects attempts to reassess longstanding quota systems amid evolving socio-economic realities in Nagaland. While intended to address disparities highlighted by employment statistics-where backward tribes comprise only one-third of government jobs-concerns about neutrality persist due to the inclusion of civil society representatives tied closely to specific tribal interests.

The ancient context highlights why tensions remain high: originally crafted to uplift underrepresented groups nearly five decades ago, these policies are viewed as inadequate in addressing current inequalities or bridging tribal divisions. Both sides appear entrenched-the state aiming for reform within established frameworks while agitated stakeholders demand more impartial methods.

This scenario underscores broader challenges around affirmative action policies balancing historical disadvantages against present realities. Careful handling will be required as implications stretch beyond immediate concerns into sensitive areas like census data integration-a process likely shaping tribal dynamics further over time.

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