Shillong, March 14: University of Science and Technology Meghalaya will host the 8th edition of the North East Graduate Congress (NEGC) 2026 from March 26 to 28 at its campus in Baridua.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, officials and faculty members, shared details of the youth event expected to bring together thousands of undergraduate students from colleges and universities across Northeast India.
According to USTM, NEGC is recognised as one of the largest graduate gatherings in the region. The event will provide a vibrant platform for young minds to interact with eminent academicians, educationists, entrepreneurs and youth icons of national repute. The three-day congress aims to empower students through competitions, knowledge sessions and interactive platforms designed to foster leadership, creativity, innovation and career readiness.
The event will feature a variety of literary, cultural, creative and sports competitions, including quiz, debate, photography, on-the-spot painting, business ideathon and innovation-based contests. Attractive cash prizes worth nearly Rs 50 lakh will be awarded to winners across different categories, encouraging students to showcase their talents and competitive spirit.
One of the major highlights of NEGC-2026 will be the One North East Music Festival, celebrating the diverse musical traditions of the region. The festival will feature performances by legendary rock icon Lou Majaw along with popular artists Madhubanti Bagchi, Aditya Narayan and Dharmesh Yelande, as well as regional bands including Hillphonic and several other performers from across the Northeast.
Another key highlight will be the Zubeen Garg Fellowship, instituted to recognise outstanding young talents from the region and encourage their creative, academic and leadership potential. The fellowship seeks to inspire youth to pursue excellence while contributing meaningfully to society.
Conceptualised by the Education Research and Development Foundation (ERDF), NEGC has evolved into a platform that enables undergraduate students to engage with thought leaders and explore new opportunities for their future. Through this initiative, USTM aims to nurture young talent, strengthen regional integration and motivate students to play a constructive role in nation-building.
The USTM informed that the students interested in participating can register through their respective institutions or contact the organisers through the official website of USTM. The university, located on the Assam–Meghalaya border, is accredited with an A Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and is ranked among the top 200 universities in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
