Three university Acts will be amended, a new university proposed, and an older university law repealed as Meghalaya moves to streamline higher education regulation
Shillong: The Meghalaya Cabinet has cleared six education-related legislative proposals aimed at tightening regulation of higher education institutions and bringing private universities closer to University Grants Commission (UGC) norms.
The decisions, taken at the Chief Minister’s residence on Wednesday, include three amendment Bills, two university proposals and one repeal Bill.
The Maharashtra Institute of Technology of Meghalaya (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes making the Governor the Visitor of the university and increasing government representation on its governing bodies. Similar changes have been proposed under the Mahatma Gandhi University (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The proposed Martin Luther Christian University (Amendment) Bill seeks to restrict the university’s jurisdiction to Meghalaya. It also proposes removing provisions related to distance education and college affiliation to align its legal framework with UGC regulations. The Cabinet also cleared the Sister Nivedita University Meghalaya Bill, 2026, paving the way for the proposed institution at Byrnihat.
Meanwhile, the Khasi Hills International Open University Meghalaya Bill was reconsidered amid concerns over its proposed structure and name. The Cabinet found the term “International Open University” inconsistent with UGC norms and decided to repeal the legislation.
The measures collectively seek to establish a more standardised higher education framework in Meghalaya, with clearer university jurisdictions, stronger government oversight and greater alignment with national regulatory norms.
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