Shillong, Aug. 19: Meghalaya’s higher education landscape is set for a regulatory overhaul, with the state Cabinet clearing six education-related legislative proposals aimed largely at aligning private universities with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and strengthening government oversight.
The Cabinet meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s residence on Wednesday, considered three amendment Bills, two proposals for new universities and one repeal Bill — making education the sole focus of all six agenda items.
Among the key decisions was the Maharashtra Institute of Technology of Meghalaya (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to bring the university’s governing framework in line with UGC norms and provisions applicable to other universities in the state.
Under the proposed amendment, the Governor will become the Visitor of the university, replacing the existing arrangement under which the Visitor is determined by the sponsoring body. Government representation on the university’s governing bodies will also increase, with representation on the Board of Management rising from one to two members and on the Board of Governors from two to three.
A similar change is proposed for Mahatma Gandhi University through the Mahatma Gandhi University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with the Governor to be designated as Visitor and government representation increased on its key governing bodies.
The third amendment concerns Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) and goes beyond changes in governance.
The proposed Martin Luther Christian University (Amendment) Bill seeks to restrict the university’s jurisdiction to Meghalaya. The existing legislation permits it to function beyond the state, but the state legislature cannot authorise a university to operate outside its prescribed territorial jurisdiction.
The amendment also proposes removing provisions relating to distance education and the power to affiliate colleges, bringing the university’s statutory framework in line with applicable UGC regulations governing private universities.
The Cabinet also cleared legislation for a new institution, the Sister Nivedita University Meghalaya Bill, 2026 ,paving the way for the proposed university at Byrnihat.
But another proposed university took a very different route.
The Khasi Hills International Open University Meghalaya Bill was brought up for reconsideration. The legislation had been passed by the state legislature in 2011, but no further action followed for several years. The matter resurfaced in 2022 when individuals came forward with a power of attorney relating to the university, followed by developments that raised a dispute over the institution.
The Cabinet also questioned the proposed name and structure of the institution. The term “International Open University” was considered inconsistent with UGC norms governing the concept and functioning of an open university.
Rather than allowing potential legal and regulatory complications to continue, the Cabinet decided to repeal the legislation.
Taken together, the six decisions point to a broader attempt by Meghalaya to clean up and standardise the legal framework governing higher education.
Three existing university Acts are being amended, one new university is being enabled through fresh legislation, another proposed institution is being revisited, and an older university law is being withdrawn.
At the centre of the exercise is a common concern: whether the state’s university laws match the regulatory framework under which those institutions are expected to function.
For Meghalaya’s expanding higher education sector, Wednesday’s Cabinet decisions could mark the beginning of a more closely regulated university ecosystem with greater government representation, clearer territorial jurisdiction and closer alignment with national higher education norms.
