In January 2026, 80 Nagaland police constable posts remained unfilled due to failed fitness tests, prompting calls for a retest and review of hiring criteria.

In January 2026, Nagaland’s police constable recruitment left 80 positions unfilled, mainly due to failures in physical fitness tests. Lawmakers raised concerns over test fairness and the balance between written and physical exams, urging a second chance for affected districts. Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton confirmed the vacancies will be carried forward as backlog posts. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio emphasized physical fitness as essential, supporting a one-time retest while cautioning against prolonged delays. The government will review recruitment criteria, including test weights and minimum education requirements, before the next hiring cycle.