Kohima Job Fair 2026: Nagaland Guv flags 70,469 unemployed, urges multi-sector push
Synopsis
Nagaland's unemployment register stood at 70,469 as of February 2026 — and at the Kohima Job Fair, Governor Nand Kishore Yadav used that number to make a pointed case: no single agency can fix this alone. With 25 companies, 500 job seekers, and a nationally recognised NGO placement network in the room, the fair was as much a policy signal as a hiring event.
Key Takeaways
Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav inaugurated the Kohima Job Fair 2026 at Don Bosco College, Kohima on 6 June 2026 .
Nagaland had 70,469 registered unemployed job seekers as of February 2026 , according to the Governor.
The fair attracted more than 25 companies and over 500 job seekers from across sectors.
The Don Bosco Job Placement Network became the first NGO in India enrolled on the National Career Service Portal as a Placement Network.
The network has placed more than 40,000 young people in employment over the past 7 years .
Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Saturday, 6 June 2026, called for deeper collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, industries, and civil society organisations to generate sustainable employment for the state's youth. Speaking at the inauguration of the Kohima Job Fair 2026 at Don Bosco College, Kohima, the Governor stressed that coordinated action across all stakeholders is the only credible path to bridging Nagaland's widening skill gap.
Employment Scenario in Nagaland
Governor Yadav cited a sobering statistic: as of February 2026, Nagaland had 70,469 registered unemployed job seekers. He underscored that addressing this figure requires not just job fairs but structural collaboration to enhance employability and ensure inclusive economic growth. The Governor noted that the state's youth possess potential that remains underutilised without the right institutional support.
Scale and Participation at the Fair
The fair drew participation from more than 25 companies representing diverse sectors, and recorded a footfall of over 500 job seekers. Governor Yadav said the turnout reflected both the aspirations of Nagaland's youth and the willingness of employers to invest in local talent. He expressed appreciation to all participating recruiters, noting their involvement signals confidence in the capabilities of the state's workforce.
Don Bosco Network's National Milestone
A notable highlight of the event was recognition of the Don Bosco Job Placement Network, which became the first NGO in India to be enrolled on the National Career Service Portal as a Placement Network under the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment. Over the past 7 years, the network has facilitated employment for more than 40,000 young people across the country through career guidance, skill training, and job placement services.
Organisations Commended
The Governor commended the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the National Career Service Centre for SC/ST Kohima, the Regional Employment Exchange (MCC) Kohima, AIDA–Don Bosco Career Guidance and Job Placement Services, Dimapur, and all collaborating bodies for their commitment to youth development. He called on all stakeholders to sustain these efforts and expand their reach.
Message to Job Seekers
Addressing the young attendees directly, Governor Yadav urged them to remain confident, embrace continuous learning, and prepare to take on new challenges. He stated that employment brings dignity, self-reliance, and hope — and that every young person who finds meaningful work contributes to both the state and the nation. The Kohima Job Fair 2026 is expected to serve as a model for similar multi-stakeholder employment drives across the Northeast.
Point of View
469 figure is not just a statistic — it is a governance indictment for a state where the public sector has historically been the default employer and private enterprise remains thin. Governor Yadav's call for multi-sector collaboration is well-intentioned, but Nagaland's structural employment challenge runs deeper than job fairs can address: limited industrial base, geographic isolation, and a skills mismatch that neither the state government nor NGOs have fully closed. The Don Bosco network's 40,000-placement record over seven years is commendable, yet measured against 70,469 registered unemployed today, the scale gap is stark. The real test is whether this fair catalyses a durable policy framework — or remains a well-attended annual event that does not move the unemployment register.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kohima Job Fair 2026?
The Kohima Job Fair 2026 is a multi-stakeholder employment event inaugurated by Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav at Don Bosco College, Kohima, on 6 June 2026. It brought together more than 25 companies and over 500 job seekers to connect Nagaland's youth with employment opportunities across sectors.
How many unemployed people are registered in Nagaland?
As of February 2026, Nagaland had 70,469 registered unemployed job seekers, according to figures cited by Governor Yadav at the job fair. The Governor used this number to emphasise the urgency of coordinated action among government, industry, and educational institutions.
What is the Don Bosco Job Placement Network's significance?
The Don Bosco Job Placement Network became the first NGO in India to be enrolled on the National Career Service Portal as a Placement Network under the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment. Over the past 7 years, it has facilitated employment for more than 40,000 young people nationwide through career guidance, skill training, and placement services.
Who organised the Kohima Job Fair 2026?
The fair was organised in collaboration by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the National Career Service Centre for SC/ST Kohima, the Regional Employment Exchange (MCC) Kohima, AIDA–Don Bosco Career Guidance and Job Placement Services Dimapur, and Don Bosco College, Kohima.
What did Governor Yadav say to job seekers at the fair?
Governor Yadav urged job seekers to remain confident, embrace continuous learning, and be prepared for new challenges. He emphasised that employment brings dignity and self-reliance, and called on all stakeholders to keep working together to empower Nagaland's youth.
