North Eastern Hill University was formed under an Act of Parliament in the year 1973 on the 19th of July. The main aim of the university includes to pay attention to the development of economic and social conditions and welfare of the people belonging to the hill area of the north-eastern region specifically, cultural, educational and intellectual development and to disseminate knowledge by offering research and instructional facilities in different disciplines of education.

Initially, the jurisdiction of the university was extending to the states of Nagaland, Meghalaya and the union territories of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. But, after the inception of Nagaland University, its jurisdiction ceased over the state of Nagaland and its jurisdiction over the state of Mizoram also ceased after the inception of Mizoram University. The list of colleges affiliated to the university is given below:

Affiliated Colleges:

• St. Edmund’s College, Shillong

• St. Anthony’s College, Shillong

• Lady Keane College, Shillong

• St. Mary’s College, Shillong

• Union Christian College, Umiam Khwan

• Shillong College, Shillong

• Tura Govt. College, Tura

• Sankardev College, Bishnupur

• College of Teacher Education (PGT), Laitumkhrah

• Shillong Law College, Dhankheti

• Synod College, Jaiaw

• Kiang Nongbah Govt. College, Jowai

• Mendipathar College, East Garo Hills

• Seng Khasi College, Shillong

• Tural Law College, Tura

• Raid Laban College, Shillong

• Nongstoin College, Nongstoin

• Acheng Rangmanpa College, West Garo Hills

• Ri-Bhoi College, Nongpoh

• Sngap Syiem Memorial College, Mawkyrwat

• Sohra College, Cherrapunjee

• Khad-Ar Doloi Law College, Jowai

• Shillong Commerce College, Shillong

• Don-Bosco College, Tura

• Tirot Sing Memorial College, Mairang

• Women’s College, Shillong

• Tikrikilla College, Tikrikilla

• Kazi & Zaman College, New Bhaitbari

• Nongtalang College, Nongtalang

• Jaintia Eastern College, Khliehriat

• Bormanik College, Upper Shillong

• Durama College, Megonggre

• Greater Mawlai College, Shillong

• College of Teacher Education, Rongkhon

• Buddha Bhanu Saraswati College, Mawprem Shillong

• Morning Star College, Nongthymmai Shiilong

• Capt. Williamson Memorial College, Baghmara

• Umshyrpi College, Laban Shillong

• Bissau College, East Khasi Hills

• Thomas Jones Synod College, Jowai

• Mawsynram Border Area College, Mawsynram

• St. Dominic’s College, Nongthymmai Shillong

• Nabon Synod College, Jaiaw Shillong

• North-East Adventist College, Jowai

• Shillong Engineeering and Managment College, Jorabat

• Alpine College, Nongthymmai

• Goodwill College, Nongthymmai

• St. Mary’s College of Teacher Education, Laitumkhrah

• Ramsang College, Williamnagar

• Williamnagar College, Williamnagar

• Christian Academy College, Riatsamthiah

• Mawlai Presbyterian College, Mawlai

• Phukan Memorial College, Dalu

• K.L. Bajoria College, Shillong

• Don Bosco College of Teacher Education, Tura

• St. Peter’s College, Shillong

• College of Nursing, Neigrihms Mawdiangdiang

• Mairang Presbyterian Science College, Mairang

• METAS Adventist College, Athwa Lines

• Regional College of Higher Education, Dispur

• Ampati College, Ampati

• METAS Adventist College, Ranchi

• METAS Adventist College, Nuzvid

• MBBS College, Neigrihms, Mawdiangdiang

• Khrawsing Christian College, Mawngap

• Sowlyngdoh College, Mowkaiaw

• Nongrum College, Zekabari

• Regional Institute of Science & Technology, Ri-Bhoi District

Different departments are functioning under the university and most of these departments inclusive of science department are offered grants by UGC under the COSIST/SAP Programme and Departmental Research Support Scheme. Furthermore, the individual members of faculty working under the university have been awarded by the ICSSR, UGC, DAE, DST, DBT, Ford Foundation and CSIR.

The university has received a number of endowments from personalities like Justice Krishna Aier and Dr. Shakar Dayal Sharma and various other organizations as well. It was also chosen for the prominent Rajiv Gandhi Chair for research in protective discrimination. Some of the teachers of this university are involved in research projects with Universities of Asia and Europe. Within a short span of 30 years of its existence, the university has matured into an institution with cultural, social and educational agenda.