As 2026 begins, Nagaland faces political uncertainty, policy debates, governance reforms, and unresolved aspirations shaping the state’s year ahead.
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KOHIMA — As 2026 begins, Nagaland stands poised between continuity and change, with a series of political, administrative and socio-economic developments expected to shape the state’s trajectory in the months ahead.
At the start of the new year, Nagaland carries forward its legacy of resilience in addressing socio-political, economic and developmental concerns, even as it continues to push for growth and reform across sectors.
Following major political developments in 2025—including the merger of seven NCP legislators with the NDPP and the subsequent merger of the NDPP with the NPF—speculation continues within political circles over possible realignments within the ruling government and its ministry.
The state government’s push for lifting the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime, imposed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, remains unresolved. While the Centre had granted a temporary relaxation of PAP during Hornbill Festival, the window has since closed, and the restriction continues.
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The issue is expected to remain on the state government’s agenda, with sustained engagement from civil society organisations seen as critical to pressing for a permanent exemption.
Closely linked to this is the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border, which has been withdrawn by the Centre. The removal has sparked concern among Naga communities with historical, familial and cultural ties across the border, with demands growing for the restoration of the regime.
The Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989, is also expected to remain contentious. With growing demands from mass organisations and divergent views among policymakers on prohibition versus regulation, the debate over the future of the NLTP Act is likely to continue through the year.
Census 2027
As part of the nationwide Census 2027—India’s 16th census and the eighth since Independence—Phase I, covering houselisting operations, is scheduled between April and September 2026. This phase will collect data on housing conditions, assets and amenities.
Ahead of the exercise, the Home department’s general administration branch-I, through a notification issued on July 15, 2025, declared that the administrative boundaries of all districts, subdivisions, tehsils, municipalities and villages would remain frozen with effect from December 31, 2025.
The census is expected to play a crucial role in policymaking and governance, particularly as the state government has repeatedly emphasised the need for accurate population data. The exercise will include digital enumeration through mobile applications and introduce a self-enumeration option for the first time in India’s census history. The outcome will also be significant for future delimitation.
Following unrest over reservation policy and constitution of the Reservation Review Commission (RRC), the commission—chaired by R Ramakrishnan—was tasked with examining reservation in government employment, technical education and professional courses, and recommending a framework for equitable tribal representation.
According to a November 12, 2025 notification by the Personnel and Administrative Reforms department, the commission has been given six months to submit its report. Expectations now rest on the findings and recommendations anticipated later this year.
Bye-elections
The death of senior legislator Imkong L Imchen, who represented 28 Koridang Assembly Constituency, has necessitated a bye-election. The vacancy came into effect on November 12, 2025.
The Election Commission of India has ordered a Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Rolls for the constituency, with January 1, 2026 fixed as the qualifying date, ahead of the election.
Similarly, the death of Wokha Town Council chairperson Khozamo Lotha on December 16, 2025 has created a vacancy, with a bye-election to the ward expected in the coming months.
RIIN and ILP
The Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) remains a major point of contention. While sections of society have approached the courts challenging aspects of the enumeration process, others are demanding immediate implementation amid growing concerns over immigration.
The indigenous status of four communities—Kukis, Kacharis, Mikirs and Garos—remains “frozen” pending judicial proceedings. The issue requires careful handling to balance legal scrutiny with the broader objective of safeguarding indigenous rights in a region marked by demographic sensitivities.
Naga political issue
The unresolved Naga political issue continues to define Nagaland’s socio-political landscape. Negotiations between the government of India and Naga political groups remain ongoing, though details and timelines remain uncertain.
Public scrutiny has intensified over the sincerity and direction of the talks, with splinter groups and competing narratives complicating prospects for an inclusive settlement. While hopes for resolution persist, the issue remains a generational aspiration whose outcome continues to shape public discourse.
The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation’s (ENPO) demand for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) continues to be one of the most closely watched political developments in the state. After months of consultations, the state government submitted its recommendations to the Centre, reiterating that any arrangement must remain within the framework of Article 371(A).
A series of high-level meetings were held in December 2025 involving the Centre, the state government and the ENPO. These included a tripartite meeting chaired by the Union Home Secretary, followed by engagements with the Union Home Minister. While discussions have continued, communities in Eastern Nagaland await clarity on the outcome.
Police recruitment
Nagaland Police recruitment for constables is expected to resume in early January 2026, drawing interest from over 33,000 applicants for 1,176 posts. Physical and Medical Standards Tests are scheduled between January 7 and 13 across districts.
Civil services and clerical examinations conducted by the NSSB and NPSC in late 2025 will move into subsequent stages this year, alongside upcoming recruitment cycles for education, medical and allied services.
Sports
Following the successful debut of Nagaland Super League (NSL) in 2025, preparations are underway for its second season, with expectations of wider participation, stronger competition and sustained fan interest across districts.
Another key event on the sporting calendar is the 25th Dr. T Ao Trophy Inter-District Football Championship, scheduled to be hosted by Mokokchung District Football Association at the newly developed Rempukong Astroturf in Ungma village.
The tournament carries added significance as a “homecoming” for Mokokchung, the birthplace of Dr Talimeren Ao, after whom the championship is named.
Wrestling will continue to be a major draw, with the 30th Nagaland Wrestling Association Championship 2026-cum-1st Provisional Affiliation Unit Championship and Under-15 Championship slated for March. Organisers expect broader participation, including from tribes that have not traditionally competed in the main championship.
RMSA 2016 pay row
After months of sustained protests, Nagaland government in September 2025 constituted a High-Level Committee (HLC) to examine the long-pending demands of the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) 2016 batch teachers. The teachers, who had been demanding scale pay and regularisation, subsequently suspended their agitation following the government’s assurance.
The HLC—comprising representatives from the Education, Finance and Law departments, along with members of RMSA and the All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA)—was mandated to study issues including salary delays, service regularisation and parity with earlier batches.
The committee was given six months to submit its report, placing expectations on the government to arrive at a negotiated and durable resolution in 2026.
Pension system
The demand to revert from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) remains unresolved, with the Nagaland National Pension System Government Service Employees Forum (NNPSGSEF) continuing to press for change.
Despite repeated representations over the years, the state government has yet to take a definitive position. The issue has gained renewed momentum nationally, with several states and Union territories opting to return to OPS, raising expectations among government employees in Nagaland.
Nagaland’s music and arts sector is expected to see further growth in 2026, building on increasing national and international collaborations. Among the key initiatives announced is the proposed Naga International Studio in Kohima, to be developed in collaboration with composer AR Rahman.
Once operational, the project is expected to strengthen Nagaland’s creative ecosystem and position the state as a cultural hub in the region.
Tourism, particularly cultural tourism, has also shown an upward trend. Official figures indicate that 2,05,968 visitors attended the Hornbill Festival in 2024, while the number rose to 2,14,493 in 2025, reflecting a steady increase in footfall.
As 2026 unfolds, expectations remain high for the state government to address long-standing developmental gaps, infrastructure needs and welfare concerns across sectors.
Nagaland enters the year carrying unresolved responsibilities even as it looks towards possibilities for reform, reconciliation and progress. How policy commitments translate into concrete action will shape the state’s political, social and economic course in the year ahead.