Meghalaya

While the state government is yet to release official figures for 2025, hoteliers in Meghalaya estimate that approximately 1.5 million tourists visited the state this year. Parambir Singh Sehdave, president of the Federation of Shillong Hotels, said on Monday that while the tourism sector is evolving-boosted by events like the Cherry Blossom Festivalâ, the footfall could have been higher if not for several disruptions. Sehdave noted that travel was hampered by misinformation surrounding the Raghuvanshi murder case, the impact of the Ahmedabad plane crash on national travel trends, and fears regarding landslides following disasters in other hilly regions of the country. Addressing local challenges, hoteliers identified traffic congestion as a primary complaint among visitors. They ex...

Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) has invited online applications for 14 vacancies to the post of Sericulture Inspector/Reeling Foreman/Manager under the Directorate of Sericulture and Weaving, Department of Textiles, Meghalaya. As per Advertisement No. 21/2025 issued on December 19, 2025, applications will be accepted till 5 pm on January 23, 2026. Candidates are required to apply online and ensure their profiles are updated before submission. Examinations will be conducted at centres in Shillong, Tura, Jowai, Williamnagar and Nongstoin. Further details on eligibility, pay scale and selection process are available on the MPSC website. In a separate public notice, the commission updated the roster position for three Labour Inspector posts under the administrative control of...

Defending the Centre’s proposed reforms in rural employment schemes, a senior BJP leader on Monday alleged that the implementation of MNREGA under previous Congress-led governments was marked by “complete chaos and disaster,” leading to large-scale irregularities and scams. “Understand that when MNREGA was implemented under them, it was a complete chaos and disaster. In fact, it led to many scams being unearthed,” the leader said, claiming that during 2010–11, “thousands of crores of scams were there in Bihar, in Uttar Pradesh.” Emphasising the safeguards in the new scheme, the leader asserted that it would ensure transparency through technology-driven monitoring. “The new scheme in fact will bring a check and balance to all of that. A monitoring system will be effective, it will be co...

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has strongly questioned the remarks made by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong regarding the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (MRSSA). The student body said the Deputy Chief Minister’s claims about the Bill conflicting with central laws are misleading and unfair. Tynsong had earlier stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) objected to the MRSSA Amendment Bill on the grounds that it clashed with national laws. The main objection, he said, was related to the proposal to set up entry-exit points to monitor people entering the state. KSU general secretary Donald V. Thabah rejected this view. He said the Bill only aims to regulate movement into the state, similar to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system alread...

The Eastern Air Command (EAC) Commanders’ Conclave 2026 was held at Headquarters Eastern Air Command, Shillong, from January 2–3, 2026, bringing together senior commanders to review operational preparedness and chart the future course of the Command.The conclave was addressed by Air Marshal Surat Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Eastern Air Command. In his address, the Air Marshal emphasised the need to enhance operational capabilities, strengthen combat readiness, and remain prepared to address evolving security challenges in the eastern sector. Air Marshal Surat Singh highlighted the importance of greater synergy and integration with the Indian Army and Indian Navy, underlining jointness as a critical enabler in modern warfare. He stressed that seamless coordination...

A formal pipping ceremony celebrating the promotion of police officers was held today at the Conference Hall of the Police Headquarters here, marking a proud moment for the Meghalaya Police. The ceremony was graced by Smti. I. Nongrang, IPS, Director General of Police (DGP), Meghalaya, who personally pinned the new epaulettes on the newly promoted officers, symbolising their elevation in rank and responsibility. Congratulating the officers, the DGP lauded their dedication, discipline and commitment to duty. She encouraged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity while discharging their responsibilities in their new roles. Wishing them continued success, Smti. Nongrang expressed confidence that the promoted officers would rise to future challenges and contri...

The Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, will organise a Meet & Greet programme for youth delegates selected to participate in the National Youth Festival – Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026. His Excellency the Governor of Meghalaya, C. H. Vijayashankar, will interact with and felicitate the selected participants during the programme. A total of  50 youth leaders from Meghalaya will represent the state at the national-level event scheduled to be held in New Delhi from January 9 to 12, 2026. The National Youth Festival will bring together around 3,000 young leaders from across the country, providing a platform for them to present innovative ideas and perspectives for building a Viksit Bharat. The participants will showcase their talent, ...

The first-ever full freight rake loading was done in Meghalaya with wagons carrying coal, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said on Saturday. The operation was carried out last week at Mendipathar, the state's only railway head, with a full rake of 42 covered wagons loaded for Jalalgarh, the NFR said in a release. The station had entered the railway freight network with its first unloading operation on February 4 last year. Since then, Mendipathar has handled 29 mini rakes and six full rakes, equivalent to 20.5 full rakes. Railway officials said the development signals the station’s readiness to handle large-scale freight operations. Mendipathar had entered the railway freight network on February 4 last year with its first unloading operation. Since then, the station has handled ...

The Meghalaya Cricket Association has named its squad for the second half of the U-23 men’s Col CK Nayudu Trophy 2025-26, which will commence later this month. In contrast to most other state teams this season, Meghalaya are in the Col CK Nayudu elite group and have been up against some of the best teams in the country in Elite Group A. They lost two matches but held out for an inspiring draw against Goa at home in November. Meghalaya are seventh out of eight teams in the group, with Kerala at the bottom. The multi-day Col CK Nayudu Trophy was split into two halves this season, with the U-23 men’s one day tournament taking place in between. Meghalaya’s squad has seen a few changes, with Chandra Bahadur Thapa included in the squad of 15, along with Pushkar Raj Singh, Thunun Marak and De...

Riiohlang Dhar has once again been selected for the FIFA Refereeing International list for the year 2026. This was informed by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF’s) Referee Department to the Meghalaya Football Association on 31st December. Dhar, a FIFA-level assistant referee, has officiated at numerous international events over the years. She became only the second Indian match official at a World Cup at 2024’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic. That year also saw Dhar, a serving policewoman in the Meghalaya Police, appointed as an official at the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in Indonesia. In May 2025 she was named Female Assistant Referee of the Year by the AIFF for 2024-25. Then, in December, she was one of the 40-odd individuals honoured for their contri...