President Droupadi Murmu has assented to the FNTA Bill, creating a self-governing authority for six eastern Nagaland districts while the state says Article 371A safeguards remain intact.

BulletsIn

• Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced the President's assent on October 25 and thanked the Union Home Ministry for coordinating the process.
• The Nagaland Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Bill on September 3, 2026, after a revised draft was introduced on September 1.
• An earlier version introduced in March was deferred after the Centre, ENPO and eastern Nagaland legislators sought clarifications.
• The Bill follows a Memorandum of Agreement signed on February 5, 2026, by the Centre, the Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation.
• The authority covers six districts: Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator.
• FNTA will exercise powers over 46 transferred subjects, including agriculture, health, school education and rural development.
• It will have 62 members, including 40 directly elected from single-member territorial constituencies, with one-third of elected seats reserved for women.
• An interim council can function for up to one year or until the first elected authority is constituted, whichever is earlier.
• The Bill allows suspension or dissolution of FNTA if its Executive Council fails in its functions, the authority fails in its duties, or political instability prevents lawful administration.
• The state government has said safeguards under Article 371A will neither be diluted nor altered.
• Attention now turns to formal notification, the interim council and elections to the full authority.