Over the last century Nagas have witness tremendous social changes in all walks of life. The arrival of Christianity and modern education in the hills station of Nagaland during the 1872 mark a new beginning. The long stay of British administration and subsequently inclusion in the India union has impacted the Naga’s way of life in many respects. More change has been witnessed when Nagaland got statehood under the Indian union on 1^st December 1963. A mushrooming of development activities and educational institutions began to take place. This led to tremendous changes starting from food habit to dress, attitude and manners, profession etc. interestingly, however, despite of many forces onslaught upon the Naga culture and tradition the time tested and age old practice of traditional  Ao Naga governing institution still survived. This draws the attention of many scholars and intellectual for investigation thereby coming with their reasons and justification. This paper attempts to draw some light on the governing institution vis-à-vis some of sociological observation on the implicit and intrinsic nature and characteristic of the governing institutions called Putu Menden of the Ao Nagas.

KEY WORDS: Governing, Institution, Putu Menden, Social change, Chongli, Mongsen, Ao Naga