Kohima: The lone Nagaland Lok Sabha MP, S. Supongmeren Jamir, has urged Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to formally recognize tribal dialects and languages spoken in Nagaland as 'third languages' to ensure fairer recruitment of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) in the postal department.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Jamir referenced earlier correspondence and official notifications, raising concerns over the ongoing GDS recruitment process in the Northeast.
At present, the online-based recruitment is primarily based on candidates' marks in English or Hindi at the Class X level, with no provision for interviews or separate examinations. The MP highlighted that this system disadvantages local candidates who are fluent in indigenous dialects but may not score competitively in the prescribed languages.
"This undermines the third dialect/language that candidates would have otherwise studied or are fluent in besides these two languages. Additionally, this impacts the performance of local candidates when they compete nationwide," he wrote.
Jamir cited data showing that over the past two years, three rounds of recruitment have been held for 364 GDS posts in Nagaland alone, including a special drive in January 2023 that advertised 143 posts. He expressed concern over the growing number of non-local candidates being appointed to these positions.
The MP also referred to an official communication from the Director General of GDS to the Chief Postmasters General of the Northeast Circle, issued under the 18th Lok Sabha Standing Committee on the Department of Posts. The communication acknowledged English as an official language in Nagaland but also encouraged postal authorities to engage with state governments to officially identify local dialects/languages that could be considered as mediums of evaluation during recruitment.
Jamir pointed out that the Directorate of Postal Services, Nagaland, had written to the Home Commissioner of Nagaland on April 16, 2025, regarding this matter.
He further stated that while the Home Department of Nagaland officially recognizes 15 Naga tribes along with the Kachari, Kuki, Garo, Mikir, and more recently the Tikhir tribe-as per official gazette notifications-the tribal dialects and languages associated with these groups have yet to be formally recognized as 'third languages' for recruitment purposes.
"In this regard, the Home Department of Nagaland has written to the Commissioner of Nagaland and the Commissioner & Secretary of Art & Culture to submit their views and comments," Jamir wrote.
To provide a precedent, Jamir highlighted the example of Arunachal Pradesh, where the state government had notified 23 tribal dialects and languages as 'third languages'. Following this notification, the Department of Posts granted a five-year provision allowing these dialects/languages to be used as local languages for GDS recruitment assessments.
The MP has urged the Nagaland government, through the relevant departments, to take similar action and issue official recognition of tribal dialects spoken in the state. He expressed hope that such a move would result in greater employment opportunities for local youth.
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