The state Government has notified the Nagaland Forest Department Officers’ Transfer Policy, 2026, aimed at ensuring transparency, fairness and equitable deployment of forest officers while maintaining operational efficiency in forest management across the State.

The policy, issued by the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, comes into effect from the date of its official notification and supersedes all previous orders, circulars and guidelines on the subject.

The policy applies to officers of the Nagaland Forest Department from the rank of Deputy Ranger Officer up to Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF)/Divisional Forest Officer (DFO). It also applies to Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers posted in Nagaland up to the rank of DCF/DFO, subject to applicable service rules.

Under the policy, posting stations across the State have been classified into three categories based on accessibility, infrastructure, availability of amenities, hardship and remoteness.

Category A comprises Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland, Kohima, Tseminyu, Peren and Mokokchung, while Category B includes Zunheboto, Wokha, Phek and Meluri. Category C, comprising remote and difficult areas, includes Mon, Longleng, Tuensang, Shamator, Noklak and Kiphire.

The standard tenure of posting at any station has been fixed at a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years. Transfers before completion of the minimum tenure will ordinarily not be permitted except on grounds of administrative necessity, disciplinary proceedings, serious medical conditions or other exceptional circumstances approved by the competent authority.

A key provision of the policy makes it mandatory for every officer covered under the policy to serve at least one full term of three years in a Category C posting during their service career.

For eligibility for promotion to the next higher rank, officers must satisfactorily complete at least three years in Category C and two years in Category B, or alternatively, five continuous years in Category C. Officers who have not completed the mandatory Category C service will not be eligible for promotion to the next higher rank.

However, the policy provides that these mandatory posting requirements shall not affect the inter-se seniority of State Forest Service officers for consideration for induction into the Indian Forest Service, which will continue to be governed by applicable service rules.

Officers completing five years of service in Category C may seek transfer to Category A or B, with such requests to be considered on priority, subject to the availability of suitable vacancies. The policy also provides for restrictions on prolonged postings in an officer's home district to ensure impartiality in forest administration.

The policy further provides for rotation of officers across Territorial Divisions, Wildlife Divisions and Functional/Headquarters Divisions to promote professional development and wider administrative experience.

Regarding annual transfers, applications will be invited between January and March, while routine transfers will ordinarily be carried out once a year, preferably between November and January, to minimise disruption to field operations. Adhoc and out-of-season transfers will be discouraged.

The Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force will maintain consolidated posting registers of all officers covered under the policy to facilitate systematic planning and implementation of transfers.

The Government has also reserved the right to relax provisions in exceptional cases of extreme hardship or public service necessity and to modify or amend the policy in the public interest.