On August 6, 2025, the Nagaland State Cabinet approved the constitution of a seven-member Job Reservation Commission to be headed by a retired IAS officer of the Nagaland cadre. The committee would be composed of three officers and a member each from the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), and Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN).
However, the 5 Tribes Committee of Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) expressed their strong dissatisfaction with the state cabinet’s decision to form a commission which would include civil society organisations.
The CoRRP representing Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi tribes, has actively demanded a review or abolition of the backward tribe reservation framework.
The issue
In 1977, Nagaland classified additional quotas—25% reserved for seven “backward tribes” in non-technical and non-gazetted posts (initially for 10 years). This policy was extended indefinitely in 1989 and now stands at 37%, comprising:
- 25% for Eastern Nagaland backward tribes
- 12% for other backward tribes
What next?
CoRRP along with their respective apex bodies on Saturday announced that they would abstain from all State government functions– including the Independence Day celebrations on August 15– as part of the third phase of their agitation.