Revised Teacher Recruitment: Questions Raised Over ST Quota Distribution

Ukhrul, July 19: Following the declaration of the revised select list for 1,423 Primary Teacher appointments by the Manipur Directorate of Education (S) on July 17, 2025, questions are being asked from sections of the public over the composition of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, particularly the disproportionate representation of Kuki-Zo candidates.

According to data from the notification, over 400 candidates were selected under the ST category. However, roughly 80% of these names appear to belong to members of the Kuki-Zo community, and of the remaining, large proportion was confined to another Naga community, raising questions about balance, representation, and the underlying selection mechanism, when the population of the three major communities in the State, as per 2011 Census of India is divided into: a little over 50% Meitei/Meetei, roughly 24% Naga, and around 16% Kuki-Zo.

Critics argue that while the ST quota is constitutionally protected and open to all Scheduled Tribes, ethnic representation within the Primary Teacher appointments by GoM is seen as highly uneven. The apparent overrepresentation of one group, despite the presence of several major ST communities like the Nagas, has sparked quiet frustration and demands for greater transparency.

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A senior education official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The recruitment process follows merit within reservation categories. But we cannot deny the fact that regional access to coaching, form filling support, and document readiness plays a large role. Many tribal candidates from interior hill districts were either unaware of the process or unable to compete due to logistical constraints.”

There is also speculation about possible demographic clustering, where tribal populations in certain districts have better access to internet, exam centres, and application support systems than others.

Community organisations from hill districts, especially from the Naga civil society groups, are reportedly reviewing the list and considering formal representations to the Education Department, citing structural imbalances and a call for decentralised planning in future recruitment drives.

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Whether this disparity reflects a gap in outreach by previous governments for several factors, politically coloured, a flaw in execution, or merely the competitive edge of better-prepared applicants remains a pressing question. In any case, the issue has opened debate on how “fair representation” should be implemented within protected categories. Therefore, to prevent such imbalances in representation, even among the various tribal communities of Manipur, the responsibility squarely lies with the State Government.

It may be mentioned that a three-judge bench led by Justice Hrishikesh Roy in October of 2024 had directed the Manipur government to redraw the merit list in the selection process of primary teachers within four weeks. As per reports, the appointment to the 214 OBC category candidates was set aside by the high court on October 6, 2015 and the said decision was left undisturbed by the Supreme Court in its judgment on March 16, 2016.