Nagaland MP S. Supongmeren Jamir has urged Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to formally notify the tribal dialects of the state as a “third language” for the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) recruitment examinations under the Central Postal Department. In a letter addressed to CM Rio, the Member of Parliament raised concerns about the present recruitment policy for GDS posts, which considers only Class X marks in English and Hindi, placing Naga youth at a serious disadvantage in competing for local postal jobs. Jamir pointed out that despite repeated appeals and departmental communication over the past two years, the linguistic realities of Nagaland’s diverse tribal population continue to be ignored in the recruitment process.
“This is a matter of fairness and inclusion,” Jamir stated. “Without the recognition of our local languages, qualified local candidates are being overlooked in favor of non-locals.” The MP referenced a precedent set by Arunachal Pradesh, where 23 tribal dialects have already been recognized by the Department of Posts as valid “third languages” for GDS recruitment. That move was facilitated through a special five-year provision in coordination with the state’s notification and certification process managed by designated government officers. Jamir noted that while the Department of Posts has acknowledged in principle the need to include local languages, Nagaland is yet to take the necessary step of officially notifying its tribal dialects—many of which are spoken by communities with recognized tribe status, including the recently acknowledged Tikhir tribe.
The MP said that taking timely action on this matter is essential not only for employment generation but also for preserving the cultural and linguistic identity of the Naga people.“This move will not only recognize the rich linguistic heritage of Nagaland but also empower our youth with meaningful employment,” Jamir said in his letter.
