SHILLONG, APR 27: Meghalaya will have English, Khasi and Garo as its official languages under a new Ordinance promulgated and with implementation to begin on a date to be notified by the State Government.
The Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance, 2026” was published in The Gazette of Meghalaya, Extraordinary on Monday.
The Law (B) department notification said the Governor promulgated Ordinance on April 27, “in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of article 213 of the Constitution of India.”
The move comes while the Assembly is not in session.
“Whereas, the Legislative Assembly of the State of Meghalaya is not in session and the Governor is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action,” the notification stated.
The Ordinance, which extends to the whole of the State of Meghalaya, will come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint.
Once in effect, “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,” Section 3 said.
However, English retains its place in key areas. “Provided that the English language shall continue to be used in all Civil and Criminal Courts in the State,” the Ordinance stated. Legislative business will also continue under existing law: “Provided further that the 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.”
The Government has been given flexibility to roll out language use.
It “may, by notification in the official Gazette, provide for the use of any one or more of the official languages for such official purposes, at such levels of administration, and in such areas, as may be specified.”
The Ordinance lays out region-specific provisions.
“The Government may provide for the use of English and Khasi in District, Sub-Divisional and block level offices in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills Division and the use of English and Garo in the District, Sub-Divisional and block level offices in the Garo Hills Division.” English will remain the link language between districts: “Provided that the English language shall continue to be used for inter-district communications.”
On education, it clarifies, “Nothing in this Ordinance shall affect the rights of various linguistic groups in respect of medium of instruction in educational institutions as laid down in the Constitution of India.”
The new Ordinance repeals the previous legislation. “The Meghalaya State Language Act, 2005 (Meghalaya Act No. 10 of 2005) is hereby repealed,” Section 7 said, adding that actions taken under the repealed Act “shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Ordinance.”
