The Arunachal Frontier Tribal Front (AFTF) has demanded that the state government refrain from issuing an advertisement or conducting the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Combined Competitive Examination (APPSCCE) 2026 until the existing 80:20 recruitment ratio is scrapped. The AFTF wants the ratio to be replaced with 100 per cent reservation for Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) candidates by making Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates and permanent resident certificates (PRCs) mandatory in all government recruitments.
AFTF chairman Tadak Nalo warned that the organisation would announce a bandh if the government advertises or proceeds with the APPSCCE 2026 before implementing its demand. He stated that the examination is expected to be held in September, while the advertisement is likely to be issued by the end of July or in the first week of August. According to him, issuing the notification before amending the recruitment policy would mean the examination would once again be conducted under the existing 80:20 recruitment ratio.
Nalo rejected the six-member committee constituted by the state government on 6 July, describing it as an ‘eye wash’ and alleged that it was merely a ‘repetition of the committee formed in 2022.’ He claimed that the earlier committee, constituted on 10 August, 2022 under the chairmanship of former education minister Taba Tedir to examine the same issue was given two months to submit its report but submitted it only on 9 January, 2024.
Nalo also criticised the ICR administration for denying permission for the organisation’s proposed peaceful rally. He said the AFTF approached Deputy Commissioner Toko Babu on 2 July, seeking permission for a march from Akashdeep to IG Park on 11 July. According to him, the organisation was advised to obtain no objection certificates (NOCs) from the superintendent of police and the Itanagar Municipal Corporation, which it subsequently secured.
Announcing the organisation’s next course of action, Nalo said the proposed 11 July rally has been deferred and replaced with a one-month ultimatum to the state government. He urged the government to implement the recommendations of the 2022 committee headed by Taba Tedir by making ST certificates and PRCs mandatory and abolishing the 80:20 recruitment ratio by 10 August 2026.
Nalo reiterated that the APPSCCE 2026 advertisement should not be issued until the recruitment policy is amended. Referring to the 2021 APPSCCE, he claimed that the movement was triggered after a non-tribal candidate secured the top rank, which, according to him, exposed shortcomings in the existing recruitment policy. Warning of intensified agitation, Nalo said that if the government fails to act by 10 August or proceeds with the APPSCCE 2026 advertisement under the existing recruitment policy, the AFTF would immediately issue a bandh call.
