Shillong, April 27, 2026: The Government of Meghalaya has officially notified Khasi and Garo as the state’s official languages alongside English following the promulgation of the Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance, 2026.
The ordinance received the assent of Governor C. H. Vijayashankar and was published in the Extraordinary Gazette of Meghalaya on April 27, 2026. The new law replaces the earlier Meghalaya State Language Act, 2005.
According to the ordinance, English, Khasi and Garo will be used for official purposes of the state government. However, English will continue to be used in all civil and criminal courts and in the proceedings of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in accordance with existing laws.
The ordinance also allows the state government to specify the use of official languages at different administrative levels. In district, sub-divisional and block-level offices in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region, English and Khasi may be used, while English and Garo may be used in administrative offices in the Garo Hills region. English will continue to serve as the medium for inter-district communication.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma welcomed the development, stating that the ordinance marks a significant step in recognizing the linguistic identity of the state. He said the move would strengthen Meghalaya’s efforts to seek inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
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Sangma also expressed gratitude to Governor C. H. Vijayashankar for granting assent to the ordinance, describing it as an important milestone for the people of Meghalaya.
The new ordinance also ensures protection of linguistic rights, stating that it will not affect the rights of different linguistic groups regarding the medium of instruction in educational institutions as guaranteed under the Constitution.
Officials said the government will notify the date for the ordinance to come into force and may frame rules to implement its provisions across various administrative levels in the state.
