President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026, marking a significant step towards greater administrative decentralisation and development in eastern Nagaland.
The bill was passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 3.Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio announced the development on Sunday, expressing gratitude to the President and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their roles in the process. He said the legislation would help address long-standing developmental gaps and fulfil the aspirations of the people of eastern Nagaland.
The FNTA will cover six districts—Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator—and comprise 62 members, including 40 directly elected representatives and 22 members nominated by the Governor. One-third of the elected seats will be reserved for women, while members will ordinarily serve five-year terms.
The authority will have an Executive Council comprising nine members, headed by a Chief Executive Member (CEM), along with a Deputy CEM and other members. Its mandate will cover 46 subjects, including agriculture, education, healthcare, rural development, roads, tourism, water resources and local governance.
The FNTA will also be empowered to prepare integrated development plans and frame laws relating to transferred subjects, subject to the general policy of the state government. Proposed legislation will require approval by a majority of voting members before being forwarded to the Governor for assent through the state government.
Pending the formation of the elected authority, an interim council of up to 13 members may be constituted with the Governor’s approval, based on the recommendation of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and in consultation with the respective tribal councils. The interim council will function for a maximum period of one year or until the first elected FNTA is established.
The state government will continue to provide administrative support, while existing state laws will remain in force. The new framework aims to strengthen local decision-making and promote focused development across the six eastern districts while retaining the region within Nagaland’s existing administrative structure.
