Shillong, August 19 : The Meghalaya Cabinet on Wednesday approved a series of decisions concerning higher education in the State, including amendments to three university laws, Bills for the establishment of two new universities and the repeal of the International Open University Act.
The Cabinet approved the Maharashtra Institute of Technology of Meghalaya (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Mahatma Gandhi University (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The amendments seek to bring provisions relating to the Visitor of the two universities in line with University Grants Commission norms. Under the earlier Acts, the Visitor was to be nominated by the sponsoring body. The proposed amendments provide for the Governor to serve as Visitor, in line with the arrangement followed by other universities.
The Cabinet also approved an increase in government representation in the governing bodies of both universities. Government representation on the Board of Management will increase from one member to two, while representation on the Board of Governors will rise from two members to three.
The Martin Luther Christian University (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was also approved. The amendment seeks to bring the functioning of the university in conformity with UGC regulations by restricting its operations to Meghalaya, removing provisions for distance education and withdrawing the power to affiliate colleges.
The Cabinet further approved the Sister Nivedita University, Meghalaya Bill, 2026, proposing the establishment of a university at Byrnihat.
It also approved the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian University, Meghalaya Bill, 2026, which proposes the establishment of a university at Sohiong.
According to the government, the two new university Bills are aimed at strengthening Meghalaya’s higher education ecosystem and expanding opportunities for students within the State.
The Cabinet also approved the International Open University (Repeal) Bill, 2026.
The Act relating to the university was passed in 2011 but remained non-functional until 2022. According to the government, some individuals later came forward with a power of attorney, following which a conflict was identified.
The Cabinet decided to repeal the Act after the proposed name was found to be inconsistent with UGC norms. The use of the terms “International” and “Open University” together was stated to be impermissible under the applicable regulations.
The government said the repeal was aimed at avoiding possible legal and regulatory complications in the future.
