Kohima: The Supreme Court set September 7 as the hearing date for a petition regarding 98 medical officers in Nagaland. The case revolves around doctors who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Bench featuring Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Vipul M Pancholi finalized the date on August 22. They ordered, "List on 07.09.2026."
This legal fight challenges a December 11, 2025 judgment from the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench. That court rejected appeals against a Single Judge decision that backed the State government. The state used a Special Recruitment Drive to give permanent status to the 98 doctors. The Supreme Court first issued a notice on January 16, 2026. However, judges noted that current claims will not impact appointments the state already finished.
Two groups of petitioners brought the challenge. The first group includes MBBS graduates who argue the move violates the Nagaland Health Service Rules of 2006. The second group consists of doctors who served during the pandemic but left for postgraduate studies. The Single Judge dismissed both complaints. He ruled the graduates were not in the same position as the pandemic doctors. He also barred the post-grad students from seeking regular status after quitting the service.
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