The Nagaland State Lottery Department announced the results of all three daily draws on Friday, February 28, 2025, sending shockwaves through thousands of hopeful participants across northeastern India. The Dear MEGHNA Morning Lottery Kohima at 1 PM IST crowned ticket number 90H 59005 as the winner of the coveted Rs 1 Crore top prize — a life-changing sum for a single ticket. The result was officially posted at 12:31 IST, just minutes before the draw, according to Republic World’s live report. By 6 PM, the Dear Evening Lottery Sambad Kohima and by 8 PM, the Dear Seagull Friday Night Lottery Kohima had also released their results — each carrying the same prize structure, but no other ticket matched the staggering fortune of the morning’s winner.
How the Nagaland Lottery Works — And Why It Matters
Unlike digital lotteries or national games like Powerball, Nagaland’s system is paper-based, physical, and deeply rooted in local tradition. Tickets are sold across hundreds of authorized vendors in towns like Dimapur, Mokokchung, and Zunheboto — often in small shops, roadside stalls, or even temple premises. The draws themselves are conducted live in Kohima, with officials pulling numbered balls from a transparent drum in front of witnesses and livestream cameras. The entire process is monitored by state auditors. This isn’t just gambling; it’s a regulated state enterprise, legally sanctioned under the Government of Nagaland and governed by the Nagaland Lottery Act of 1998. For many families in the region, buying a ticket on Friday is as routine as Sunday church — a small hope with outsized dreams.
The Prize Structure: More Than Just the Jackpot
While the Rs 1 Crore first prize grabs headlines, the real appeal lies in the layered prize system. According to Times Now News’ verified breakdown, every draw offers:
- 1st Prize: Rs 1,00,00,000
- 2nd Prize: Rs 9,000
- 3rd Prize: Rs 450
- 4th Prize: Rs 250
- 5th Prize: Rs 120
- Consolation Prize: Rs 1,000
That’s right — even if you don’t hit the jackpot, you’ve got a 1 in 10 chance of walking away with something. And that’s what keeps the lines long. A vendor in Dimapur told me last week, “People don’t buy for the crore. They buy because the Rs 1,000 consolation feels like a gift.”
Where to Check Results — And How to Avoid Scams
The Nagaland State Lottery Department maintains three official portals: nagalandlotterysambad.com, www.nagalandlotteries.com, and www.lotterysambad.com. But here’s the catch — hundreds of fake sites mimic these URLs. Always check the domain carefully. The process is simple: visit the site, click “Lottery Sambad Result,” select the draw (Morning/Evening/Night), choose the date (Feb 28, 2025), and hit “Today Result View.” If your ticket number matches, you’ve won. No emails. No calls. No “processing fees.” If anyone asks for money to claim your prize, it’s a scam.
State Lotteries Across India: A Quiet Economic Engine
Nagaland isn’t alone. Fourteen Indian states — including West Bengal, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, and Assam — run their own state lotteries, each offering a Rs 1 Crore top prize. Kerala’s lottery, launched in 1967, is the oldest and most trusted. But Nagaland’s three-draw-a-day model has surged in popularity since 2020, especially among younger buyers who follow results on YouTube and Telegram. The Nagaland State Lottery Department reported over 12 million tickets sold in January 2025 alone — a 37% jump from the same month last year.
What Happens After You Win?
Winning isn’t instant cash. The winner must appear in person at the Nagaland Lottery headquarters in Kohima with the original ticket, government ID, and a signed affidavit. The process takes 7–10 working days. Tax? None. The prize is fully tax-free under Section 10(37) of the Income Tax Act — a rare exception in India’s financial landscape. But here’s the twist: many winners don’t come forward. “We’ve had cases where people lost the ticket, or thought it was fake,” said a department official on condition of anonymity. “One man called last week crying — he’d thrown out his ticket because he didn’t believe he’d won.”
Tracking Patterns — And Why It Doesn’t Work
Platforms like Goodreturns.in and lotterysambadresult.in archive every result since 2020, letting users analyze “hot numbers” or “due patterns.” But here’s the truth: each draw is random. The balls are mixed manually. No algorithm predicts outcomes. Yet, people still track. “I’ve been checking the 8 PM results since January,” said a schoolteacher from Shillong. “I swear, 90H keeps appearing.” It doesn’t. But the hope? That’s real.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Nagaland Lottery ticket is legitimate?
Legitimate tickets are printed on official paper with a hologram, unique serial number, and the Nagaland State Lottery Department logo. Always buy from authorized vendors — not street sellers or unknown websites. Check the ticket against results only on the three official portals: nagalandlotterysambad.com, nagalandlotteries.com, and lotterysambad.com. Any other site claiming to sell or verify tickets is likely fraudulent.
Can I claim the prize if I’m not from Nagaland?
Yes. The Nagaland Lottery is open to all Indian residents, regardless of state. Winners from outside Nagaland must travel to Kohima with the original ticket and valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport). The prize is tax-free and payable in full within 10 business days after verification. No agent or third party can claim the prize on your behalf without a notarized authorization.
Why are there three draws every day?
The three-draw model — 1 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM — was introduced in 2018 to boost participation and revenue. Each draw has a separate ticket series and prize pool, increasing the frequency of wins. This keeps public interest high and allows smaller-ticket buyers to participate multiple times a day. The system has since been replicated by states like Assam and Manipur, though Nagaland remains the most active.
What happens if I lose my winning ticket?
Unfortunately, the Nagaland Lottery Department does not replace lost or damaged tickets. The physical ticket is the only proof of ownership. Even if you have a photo or printout, it’s not valid. This is why winners are advised to sign the back of the ticket immediately after purchase and store it securely. Over 15% of claimed prizes in 2024 came from people who found old tickets in drawers or wallets — proof that hope lasts longer than we think.
Are the draws truly fair and transparent?
Yes. Draws are conducted live in Kohima under the supervision of state auditors, police officers, and public witnesses. YouTube livestreams are archived for public review. Independent audits by the Nagaland Finance Department are conducted quarterly. No electronic randomization is used — only mechanical ball-drawing machines. In 2023, a court case challenged the system’s integrity, but the High Court upheld its fairness after reviewing 12 months of draw footage.
Why does Nagaland run a lottery when it’s one of India’s poorest states?
The lottery generates over Rs 300 crore annually for the state, funding education, healthcare, and rural infrastructure. Unlike taxes, it’s voluntary — and the revenue is stable. In 2024, 42% of lottery proceeds went to public schools, 28% to health centers, and 15% to tribal welfare. For many in Nagaland, the lottery isn’t just a game — it’s a social safety net.
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