Shillong, Apr 27: Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar on Monday signed the ordinance that recognises the Khasi and Garo languages as official languages of the state alongside English.
The Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance, 2026 was approved by the cabinet on April 16.
Under the new ordinance, the earlier Meghalaya State Language Act 2005 will be repealed.
“…the English, Khasi and Garo languages shall be the official languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of the State of Meghalaya. Provided that the English language shall continue to be used in all Civil and Criminal Courts in the State,” according to the published gazette.
It also provides that business in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly shall be transacted as per the provisions of the Meghalaya State Legislature (Continuance of the English Language) Act, 1980.
On the protection of linguistic rights, the ordinance will not affect the rights of various linguistic groups in respect of medium of instruction in educational institutions as laid down in the Constitution of India.
