Concerns over the recruitment criteria for police constables were raised in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly after 80 posts remained unfilled during the recent recruitment drive. The issue was discussed during the Assembly session on 09 March 2026, where legislators questioned whether the selection process needs review. The recruitment drive, conducted earlier in January 2026, aimed to fill 1,176 constable posts in the state police force. However, several candidates were unable to qualify in the Physical Efficiency Test (PET), leaving a number of positions vacant across multiple districts.
80 Nagaland Police Police Constable Posts Remained Vacant in Recruitment Drive
During Question Hour in the Assembly, legislators sought details on the outcome of the recruitment process and the reasons behind the vacancies. Data presented in the House showed that 80 positions remained unfilled across several districts due to candidates failing to meet the required physical standards. The district-wise distribution of vacancies included:
- Mokokchung: 43 posts
- Tuensang: 32 posts
- Tseminyu: 3 posts
- Longleng: 1 post
- Wokha: 1 post
Legislators noted that although the recruitment drive created employment opportunities for local youth, the unfilled posts highlighted possible issues with the existing selection criteria.
MLAs Suggest Review of Nagaland Police Written and Physical Test Weightage
Several members of the Assembly suggested reviewing the balance between written examinations and physical tests in the recruitment process. Some legislators argued that candidates with minimum educational qualifications, such as Class 6 or Class 8, often compete with highly educated graduates in the written exam, which could disadvantage applicants from rural or less privileged backgrounds. Another suggestion was to increase the weightage of physical performance, as constabulary duties primarily involve field work and require strong physical fitness.
Government Response on Nagaland Police Recruitment Process
Responding to the concerns, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, who oversees the Home department, confirmed that 80 posts remained vacant after the recruitment exercise. He clarified that there would be no immediate separate recruitment exclusively for these posts. Instead, the vacancies will be treated as backlog posts and carried forward to the next recruitment cycle while remaining reserved for the respective districts and tribes. The government also indicated that the recruitment process and selection criteria could be reviewed based on the suggestions raised in the Assembly.
Physical Fitness Remains Key Requirement for Nagaland Police Service
During the discussion, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio emphasised that police service requires strong physical fitness and candidates must prepare adequately for both physical and medical tests. He added that while unsuccessful candidates could be given another opportunity in future recruitment exercises, vacancies should not remain open indefinitely as it could affect administrative efficiency. The debate in the Assembly reflects ongoing efforts to balance fairness in recruitment with the operational requirements of law enforcement in the state.