Nagaland's recruitment crisis: only 11 vacancies despite youth unemployment surge

The Nagaland Staff Selection Board's recent notification for the Combined Staff Recruitment Examination has sparked significant discontent among the state's youth. The recruitment drive offers only 11 vacancies across the entire state, a figure critics argue is inadequate given the population exceeding 23 lakhs and persistent unemployment challenges.

Young job seekers argue the limited openings represent a failure of state policy, particularly when more than half the state budget goes toward salaries. The disparity between candidate preparation and opportunity availability has deepened frustration over employment prospects.

The concern is compounded by the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2024–25 report, which flagged financial mismanagement of ₹1,214.37 crore. Critics contend that fiscal deficits and recruitment shortfalls burden the upcoming generation while existing structural issues remain unaddressed.