Kohima: The Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench admitted a batch of appeals on September 16. The case targets the state’s continued reliance on contractual and fixed-pay Assistant Professors in government colleges. Justices Devashis Baruah and Helen Daungliani ordered the court to hear the merits of the challenge. They set the next hearing for September 23, 2026.
The dispute stems from a November 12, 2025, ruling by a Single Judge. That court tossed out the original petitions on technical grounds regarding maintainability and locus standi. It did not weigh in on the legality of the hiring process. The judge did, however, issue a warning to the state. Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer noted, "Contract or interim arrangements are being continued till date" and stated that such arrangements should not continue indefinitely.
Appellants argue these positions violate Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. Those articles guarantee equality before the law and equal opportunity in public employment. They claim the state bypasses standard hiring requirements for these roles. The state currently reports 636 total Assistant Professor posts. That number includes 491 regular positions and 145 fixed-pay roles. The bench remains skeptical of these figures. The judges directed the Additional Advocate General to produce exact numbers. They want a breakdown of regular vacancies, contract hires, and filled regular posts.
History shows a long trail of litigation. Groups like the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum and ACAUT have pushed for change for years. The state previously banned contractual appointments in 2016. It promised to send all vacancies to the NPSC. Yet, officials now claim these contracts serve as stop-gap measures for academic shortages. The court will now force the state to justify its staffing strategy.
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