Shillong, February 24, 2026: The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong (IIPHS) Bill 2026, paving the way for the institute to be granted state university status.
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| Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong (IIPHS) campus in Shillong, set to be granted state university status following cabinet approval. (Image: File Photo) |
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday. Announcing the move, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said the upgrade would transform IIPHS into a key public health institution for the entire Northeast.
“This will be an important institution for the whole North East. It can build the public health cadre not just for the state but for the entire region,” Shylla said.
With university status, the Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong will be empowered to award degrees to public health scholars. The minister described it as a research-focused university capable of guiding healthcare policy and strengthening public health interventions.
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He highlighted the institute’s contributions in research, training, and data-driven healthcare initiatives, including CPR training, addressing vaccine hesitancy, and behavioural healthcare programmes. The university is expected to function on a self-sustaining model while supporting the state government in building a skilled workforce to respond to public health emergencies such as COVID-19.
The move also reflects the state’s emphasis on strengthening research institutions, particularly in the wake of the passing of former MP Dr. Ricky AJ Syngkon, and the growing need for expertise in epidemiology and disease research.
The Indian Institute of Public Health Shillong (IIPHS) was established by the Public Health Foundation of India in collaboration with the Government of Meghalaya to strengthen public health capacity in the Northeast.
It focuses on research, education, training, and policy support, and works on key areas such as malaria, health technology assessment, zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, and other regional public health challenges.
