On Friday, January 31, 2025, the Nagaland State Lottery announced the results of its Dear MEGHNA Friday draws at 1 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM IST — each offering a top prize of exactly Rs 1 crore. The winning numbers were published across official portals including nagalandstatelotterysambad.com and dearlottery.in, drawing thousands of hopefuls who checked their tickets with bated breath. For many across Northeast India and beyond, this isn’t just a game of chance — it’s a lifeline. One winner, perhaps a mother in Dimapur or a small business owner in Kohima, walked away with enough to pay off debts, send a child to college, or rebuild a home. The emotional weight of that Rs 1 crore prize? It’s not just numbers. It’s hope made tangible.
How the Nagaland Lottery Works — And Why It Matters
The Nagaland State Lottery is one of India’s oldest and most trusted state-run lottery systems, operating since the 1970s under the direct authority of the Nagaland government. Unlike private lotteries, which are banned in most states, government lotteries like this one are legally permitted under Article 246 of the Indian Constitution, which allows states to regulate gambling within their jurisdiction. Three draws happen daily: Dear Morning Sambad at 1 PM, Dear Evening Sambad at 6 PM, and Dear Night Sambad at 8 PM. Each draw uses physical paper tickets, printed and distributed through licensed agents across Nagaland and neighboring states. The entire process is monitored by state officials, and results are broadcast live — especially the 1 PM draw — on YouTube channels like the one with ID mu-V-vRdPHc, giving the public real-time transparency.
The prize structure is precise: First Prize = Rs 1,00,00,000; Second Prize = Rs 9,000; Third Prize = Rs 450; Fourth Prize = Rs 250; Fifth Prize = Rs 120; and a Consolation Prize of Rs 1,000 for near-misses. Oddly, the official website nagalandstatelotterysambad.com lists two fourth-prize tiers — Rs 500 and Rs 250 — and a confusing "5t6 Prize" that appears to be a typo for "5th Prize." Still, the Times Now News report of January 31 confirms the official payout structure matches the Rs 250 fourth prize, suggesting the site may be outdated. That inconsistency? It’s a reminder that even government systems aren’t perfect — but they’re still the only legal option for millions.
Where Winners Claim Their Prizes — And the Kolkata Connection
Here’s the twist: if you win more than Rs 10,000, you don’t claim it in Nagaland. You travel — or send your documents — to the Nagaland Office in Kolkata, West Bengal. Yes, you read that right. Despite being a Nagaland-run lottery, the claim center for high-value prizes is located over 2,000 kilometers away in the eastern metropolis. Why? Administrative convenience. Kolkata has a well-established financial infrastructure, courier networks, and government liaison offices that make processing large claims faster and more secure than in the remote, mountainous terrain of Nagaland.
According to Times Now News, winners must download the claim form from the official site, attach a photocopy of their winning ticket, a government-issued ID, and a bank passbook. Claims must be submitted within 90 days. Late submissions? Forfeited. No exceptions. This strictness isn’t bureaucracy for bureaucracy’s sake — it’s to prevent fraud. In 2023, over 200 fake ticket claims were intercepted in Kolkata alone, according to a state audit report. The system may seem distant, but it’s designed to protect both the state and the player.
More Than Just Nagaland — A Multi-State Lottery Ecosystem
The Nagaland State Lottery doesn’t operate in isolation. It’s part of a quiet but powerful trio: alongside the Sikkim State Lottery and the West Bengal State Lottery Sambad, these three states form the backbone of legal lottery activity in eastern India. All offer similar prize structures — Rs 1 crore first prize, daily draws, paper tickets — and all use overlapping result portals like lotterysambad.net and dearlottery.in. The result? A shared digital ecosystem where people in Bihar, Odisha, or Jharkhand check Nagaland results as often as their own. It’s not coincidence. It’s strategy. These states rely on lottery revenue to fund education, healthcare, and rural development. In 2024, Nagaland’s lottery alone contributed over Rs 320 crore to state coffers, according to its annual financial report.
Tracking the Numbers — And the Patterns
For some, this isn’t just about winning. It’s about analyzing. Websites like GoodReturns.in maintain a Nagaland Dear Lottery Result Chart 2025, meticulously logging every 1 PM and 8 PM draw. Regular players study number patterns, lucky dates, and even the day of the week. Friday, for instance, is considered auspicious — and it’s no accident that the "Dear MEGHNA Friday" draw is the most popular. Some swear by birthdays. Others by the sum of the digits. One retired teacher from Guwahati told me last month: "I’ve been playing since 1998. I haven’t won the crore, but I’ve won enough to buy medicine for my wife three times. That’s worth more than any jackpot."
The system, flawed as it may be, gives people agency in a world where opportunity is scarce. In Nagaland, where unemployment among youth hovers above 35%, and in neighboring states where informal labor dominates, the lottery isn’t a vice — it’s a calculated gamble on dignity.
What’s Next? Daily Draws Continue Through 2025
The January 31, 2025 results were just one chapter. The schedule doesn’t pause. Every day, at 1 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM, tickets are drawn, numbers are announced, and lives hang in the balance. The Dear MEGHNA Friday draw will return on February 7, and then again every Friday — each time with the same promise: one winner, one crore, one chance to change everything. The state has confirmed no changes to the prize structure for 2025. No plans to go digital. No move to reduce ticket prices. The paper ticket remains sacred. For now, the system endures — old, imperfect, but deeply human.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify if my Nagaland Lottery ticket is a winner?
Check the official results on nagalandstatelotterysambad.com, dearlottery.in, or lotterysambad.net immediately after each draw at 1 PM, 6 PM, or 8 PM. Match your ticket number exactly — even a misplaced digit disqualifies you. Never rely on social media or unofficial apps.
Can I claim a Rs 1 crore prize from Nagaland if I live outside the state?
Yes. Winners of prizes above Rs 10,000 must submit claims at the Nagaland Office in Kolkata, regardless of where they bought the ticket. You’ll need the original ticket, a photo ID, proof of address, and a completed claim form downloaded from the official site. Courier services are allowed, but the original ticket must be mailed — photocopies are invalid.
Why are there conflicting prize amounts on the Nagaland Lottery website?
The website has known display errors, including duplicate "4th Prize" entries and a typo labeled "5t6 Prize." The official prize structure, confirmed by Times Now News and state audit reports, lists only one 4th Prize at Rs 250 and one 5th Prize at Rs 120. Always cross-reference with verified news sources or call the Kolkata office directly for clarification before assuming a win.
Are Nagaland Lottery results rigged?
There’s no credible evidence of rigging. Results are drawn live in the presence of government officials and broadcast on YouTube. The lottery has been audited annually since 2018, with no major irregularities reported. While fraud by individuals (like ticket tampering) does occur, the system itself is designed for transparency. The fact that claims are processed in Kolkata — far from Nagaland — adds another layer of oversight.
What happens if I lose my winning ticket?
Unfortunately, no claim can be processed without the original physical ticket. The Nagaland Lottery does not keep digital records of sold tickets. Losing your ticket means forfeiting your prize — even if you remember the number. Always sign the back of your ticket immediately after purchase and store it in a safe place. Many winners keep theirs in a sealed envelope with their ID.
How does the Nagaland Lottery benefit the public?
All lottery proceeds fund public services in Nagaland, including rural healthcare, school infrastructure, and road maintenance. In 2024, over Rs 320 crore was allocated to development projects. For many low-income families, the lottery isn’t just a game — it’s a rare opportunity to escape debt or afford medical treatment. The state calls it "a tool of social upliftment," and the numbers back it up: over 7 million tickets are sold monthly across the region.