SHILLONG, August 19: The Meghalaya Cabinet on Wednesday cleared six education-related legislative proposals aimed at aligning private universities with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and strengthening government oversight of higher education institutions in the state.
The decisions included three amendment Bills, a proposal for a new university and a repeal Bill, with all six agenda items focused on higher education.
The Cabinet approved the Maharashtra Institute of Technology of Meghalaya (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Mahatma Gandhi University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing to make the Governor the Visitor of both universities. The amendments also seek to increase government representation on their key governing bodies.
The proposed Martin Luther Christian University (Amendment) Bill seeks to restrict the university’s jurisdiction to Meghalaya. It also proposes removing provisions on distance education and college affiliation to bring its legal framework in line with applicable UGC regulations.
The Cabinet also cleared the Sister Nivedita University Meghalaya Bill, 2026, paving the way for the proposed university at Byrnihat.
Meanwhile, the Khasi Hills International Open University Meghalaya Bill was reconsidered and subsequently proposed for repeal. The Cabinet raised concerns over the institution’s proposed name and structure, noting that the term “International Open University” was inconsistent with UGC norms governing open universities.
The legislation, passed by the state legislature in 2011, had remained pending for years before the issue resurfaced in 2022 amid a dispute involving individuals claiming authority through a power of attorney.
The decisions collectively seek to standardise Meghalaya’s higher education laws through clearer territorial jurisdiction, stronger government representation and closer alignment with national regulatory norms.
