northeast India
Meghalaya
Meghalaya, meaning "abode of clouds", is a Northeast Indian state with Shillong as capital, full statehood on 21 January 1972 after being carved out of Assam, strong Khasi-Jaintia-Garo cultural regions, Sixth Schedule institutions, matrilineal social traditions, very high rainfall, limestone caves, living root bridges, biodiversity, coal and limestone resources, and a long Bangladesh-facing border.
Capital
Shillong
Population
29.67 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
22,429 sq km
Census of India 2011
Literacy
74.4%
Census of India 2011
Districts
12
State Profile
Meghalaya overview
Meghalaya is a Northeast Indian hill state whose name means "abode of clouds". Its capital is Shillong. It was created as an autonomous state within Assam in 1970 and became a full-fledged state on 21 January 1972 after being carved out of Assam.
Capital
Shillong
Region
northeast
Population
29.67 lakh
Census of India 2011
Area
22,429 sq km
Census of India 2011
Snapshot
Quick facts
Core facts useful for prelims, maps, and state comparison.
- Capital
- Shillong
- Largest city
- Shillong
- Region
- northeast
- Population
- 29.67 lakhCensus of India 2011
- Area
- 22,429 sq kmCensus of India 2011
- Languages
- English, Khasi, Garo, Pnar/Jaintia, Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, Assamese
Snapshot
Economy snapshot
A quick view of source-backed output, income, growth, and major sectors.
- Industries
- Agriculture, Horticulture, Tourism, Coal
UPSC Focus
Why it matters
Important UPSC-relevant themes connected with this state.
- Meghalaya is one of India clearest case studies for Sixth Schedule governance because Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills Autonomous District Councils operate alongside the state legislature and urban local bodies.
- Its society is important for studying matrilineal descent and inheritance among many Khasi, Jaintia/Pnar and Garo communities, while also avoiding the mistaken assumption that matriliny automatically means women hold all formal political power.
- Its geography is central to Northeast map work: Shillong Plateau, Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills, southern escarpment facing Bangladesh, Sohra/Cherrapunji-Mawsynram rainfall belt, Umngot-Dawki border and limestone cave systems.
- Its economy and environment connect agriculture, horticulture, Lakadong turmeric, tourism, coal, limestone, cement, sacred groves, living root bridges, karst ecosystems and mining-environment governance.
- Its Bangladesh border and Assam interface make it useful for border management, inter-state boundary issues, hill-plains exchange, migration-sensitive urbanisation and regional identity.
UPSC Focus
Identity markers
Cultural, historical, geographical, or economic identifiers.
- Capital: Shillong.
- Meghalaya means "abode of clouds".
- Meghalaya was created as an autonomous state within Assam in 1970.
- Meghalaya became a full-fledged state on 21 January 1972 after being carved out of Assam.
- The Meghalaya High Court is located at Shillong; it was established and inaugurated at Shillong in March 2013.
- Major indigenous communities include Khasi, Jaintia/Pnar and Garo.
- Meghalaya has three Sixth Schedule Autonomous District Councils: Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills Autonomous District Councils.
- A large part of Meghalaya is governed through Sixth Schedule institutions, except areas such as Shillong municipality and cantonment where separate urban arrangements apply.
- English has historically been the official language; Khasi and Garo are major state languages, with Pnar/Jaintia and other languages also important in society.
- Meghalaya borders Assam and Bangladesh.
- Important places include Shillong, Sohra/Cherrapunji, Mawsynram, Mawlynnong, Dawki, Shnongpdeng, Nongriat, Umiam Lake, Jowai, Nartiang, Tura, Williamnagar, Baghmara, Balpakram, Nokrek, Mawphlang, Smit, Laitlum, Mawsmai, Krem Liat Prah cave region, Nohkalikai Falls, Elephant Falls and Krang Suri.