[3][4] Owing to the extreme backwardness of this district, there was a special provision for the administration of Tuensang in the Indian Constitution.

According to the provision, no act passed by the Parliament pertaining to the religious and social practices of Nagas, their customary law and procedure or ownership or transfer of land shall have any effect in Tuensang unless it is agreed upon by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly by a resolution.

The Governor of Nagaland was given special powers on many important matters for the sake of good governance and development of the region.

No act of legislature passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had any effect unless it was approved by the Governor on the recommendation of the regional council.

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Tuensang one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).

Christianity is the main religion through animistic beliefs are still practised by a small minority, especially along the Myanmar border.