“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle
Across Nagaland, thousands of educated youth find themselves in a familiar position: preparing for government exams, scanning newspapers for job notifications, and waiting. It’s a scene we’ve grown used to hopeful graduates holding out for stability and security in the public sector.
Each year, Nagaland produces an estimated 21,000 to 22,000 graduates, but the number of government vacancies advertised annually remains drastically lower. Bodies like the NPSC and NSSB typically release only around 600 to 700 posts per year, making government jobs one of the most competitive and narrow employment channels in the state. The result is a bottleneck where qualified youth compete fiercely, while many others are left waiting indefinitely.
The dream of a government job continues to dominate the aspirations of most households. And while public sector employment provides stability and dignity, it has also led to an overdependence that discourages risk-taking and suppresses entrepreneurial energy. The question we must now ask urgently and honestly is this: is Nagaland truly ready for a private sector revolution?
The answer isn’t a straightforward yes or no. It lies in taking a hard look at where we stand, what’s holding us back, and what needs to change.
Private sector jobs do exist, but starting salaries often range between Rs. 8,000 and Rs.12,000, compared to Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 in entry-level government roles. Naturally, most youth choose the safer option. But what often goes unspoken is how, with time and experience, private sector careers can grow significantly. Senior professionals in private companies in sectors like telecom, logistics, automobiles, IT, project management, and private banking are now earning upwards of Rs. 1.2 to Rs. 1.5 lakh per month, with incentives on top.
Yet, the education-to-employment pipeline in Nagaland remains disconnected from the needs of the present-day economy. While the world is pivoting toward startups, remote work, and tech-driven industries, many of our institutions are still preparing students for jobs that barely exist anymore.
That said, change is slowly unfolding. Initiatives like Startup Nagaland, Entrepreneurship Development Cells, and support platforms such as the Made in Nagaland Centre are beginning to chart new territory. Brands like NagaEd, Ete Coffee, Nagaland Coffee, Eagle Crest, and Pinnacle Skills are among the growing number of homegrown enterprises carving a niche in education, hospitality, food & beverage, real estate, and skills training. They showcase the practical potential in a region often overshadowed by public-sector aspiration.
In fact, recent national-level conversations are increasingly spotlighting the Northeast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in several speeches, has emphasized the “Ashtalakshmi” potential of the eight Northeastern states, urging youth to drive development through innovation and entrepreneurship. Events like the NE Uprising Summit, which bring together startups, investors, and policymakers, are giving a much-needed platform to young changemakers and local enterprises from states like Nagaland to pitch, network, and grow.
However, these remain isolated instances. To truly shift the needle, we need state-wide structural changes.
First, education and families must reframe entrepreneurship not as a fallback, but as a first-choice career path. Building business acumen, financial literacy, and problem-solving skills should begin early.
Second, the government must transition from being the primary employer to becoming a market enabler. This includes offering incubation centres, startup funding, tax breaks, and streamlined regulatory support.
Third, collaboration among banks, academic institutions, private sector players, and civil society can forge a robust ecosystem. Mentorship, risk-sharing, and the celebration of failure as a stepping stone are vital components of that system. Nagaland is brimming with potential: youth talent, cultural richness, and rising local brands. The recent emphasis on the Northeast, through entrepreneurship-focused policies, central schemes, and platforms like the NE Uprising Summit, adds momentum to a long-overdue shift. Our state must equip its youth not just for government careers but for private-sector growth as well. Yes, retaining the dream of a government job is understandable and often practical. But we must also light the path for those seeking to create jobs, scale businesses, and drive innovation.
After all, real growth happens when both avenues public and private are strong. And for Nagaland, the future lies in its ability to balance both. Because true progress isn’t about waiting. It is about building the door, and walking right through it.
Entrepreneur School of Business, Dimapur.