Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: The Meghalaya Cabinet moved to clean up the state's education laws on August 19. They cleared the International Open University (Repeal) Bill, 2026. This move kills a 2011 Act that sat on the shelf for over a decade. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the decision comes after people claimed authority over the school using a power of attorney in 2022. The state government reviewed the law following that dispute.
Officials found the name International Open University broke University Grants Commission rules. The commission bars the combined use of those specific terms. Sangma noted the repeal stops future legal headaches. He stated, "The government's move effectively seeks to close the matter surrounding the 2011 legislation rather than allow an institution operating under a name that does not meet UGC requirements to emerge later."
The Cabinet also passed amendments for three active private universities to align them with UGC standards. These include the Maharashtra Institute of Technology of Meghalaya (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Mahatma Gandhi University (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Under these new rules, the governor now acts as Visitor for both schools. Previous rules let sponsoring bodies pick the Visitor.
Representation is shifting. Government nominees on the Board of Management jump from one to two members. Seats on the Board of Governors rise from two to three. Finally, the Martin Luther Christian University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, also passed. This law limits the school to operating strictly within Meghalaya. It strips away the power to run distance education programs or affiliate other colleges. These changes force all three schools to match current state and federal administrative norms.
Updated at 20th August 2026 at 6:00am
Sangma addressed the decision in a post on X, emphasizing that the state acted to proactively clear the books of non-functional legislation. The move ensures no institution can surface later using the defunct title.
These changes reflect a wider push by the government to enforce uniformity across the state's private higher education sector. Officials stated the goal is to lock down administrative compliance and iron out inconsistencies in how these schools function.
Updated at 20th August 2026 at 10:00am
Beyond the repeals and amendments, the Cabinet greenlit two new institutions: the Sister Nivedita University Meghalaya Bill, 2026, and the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian University Meghalaya Bill, 2026. The former is slated for Byrnihat, while the latter will take root in Sohiong.
All six legislative proposals now head to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly for final consideration. Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla confirmed that the Education Department fronted all these measures to tighten state oversight.
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