Published by Aloto Naga | July 19, 2025
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Nagaland State, has strongly criticized the recent Forest Guard recruitment examination conducted by the Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, citing multiple procedural lapses and irregularities that could undermine the credibility of the recruitment process.
In a press release dated 18 July 2025, NSUI Nagaland stated it had received numerous complaints and feedback from candidates alleging serious flaws in the examination process. The union expressed deep disappointment and called for immediate redressal by the department.
One of the primary concerns raised was the absence of Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets — a standard in most competitive exams. Instead, candidates were instructed to write answers directly into test booklets, which were later collected by department officials. NSUI also alleged that correction pens were used during the examination, increasing the risk of answer tampering.
Further intensifying suspicion, NSUI claimed that the same test booklet was later found in possession of a departmental employee. The union criticized the department’s response to this incident as vague and unsatisfactory.
The press release also highlighted that candidates who had failed to qualify in the mandatory walking test were still allowed to appear for the written examination. Additionally, there were reports that overage candidates had been permitted to sit for the exam, violating eligibility norms.
Confusion reportedly reigned across multiple exam centres due to inconsistent instructions regarding negative marking. While some centres informed candidates that there would be no negative marking, others enforced it, leading to unfair disadvantage for several aspirants.
Perhaps most concerning was the alleged lack of document verification at several centres, raising fears of impersonation and identity fraud. NSUI Nagaland termed this negligence a serious violation of examination norms, warning that such lapses compromise the fairness and integrity of the recruitment process.
To ensure transparency, the union announced its intention to file a Right to Information (RTI) request after the recruitment process concludes, seeking factual clarity on the reported irregularities.
NSUI has urged the Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change to take swift and transparent steps to investigate and resolve these issues, in order to restore the trust and confidence of aspiring candidates.
