Meghalaya

Meghalaya is in the northeast of India. The state shares its border on the north and the east with Assam and on the south and the west with Bangladesh.

Meghalaya, with an average annual rainfall of 1,150 cm, receives the highest amount of rainfall in the country. The diverse range of soil types, including red-loamy and laterite, support various agricultural crops like rice, maize, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, jute, and mesta. The state has achieved success in the cultivation of non-traditional crops like tea, cashew nuts, oilseeds, tomatoes, mushrooms, wheat, etc. During 2019-20*, the state produced 393.51 thousand tonnes of fruits and 75.38 thousand tonnes of spices.

At current prices, the gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Meghalaya has been estimated at US$ 7.81 billion in 2025-26BE. The state’s GSDP (in Rs.) is expected to increase at a CAGR of 10.19% between 2015-16 and 2025-26BE.

The state’s NSDP (in Rs.) increased at a CAGR of 7.73% between 2015-16 and 2022-23.

As of September 2025, Meghalaya had a total installed power generation capacity of 651.78 MW, comprising 377.03 MW from state utilities, 18.08 MW from private utilities and 256.67 MW by central utilities. Of the total installed power generation capacity, 417.38 MW was contributed by hydropower and 73.11 MW by renewable power.

In FY26 (Until August 2025) passenger traffic at Barapani Airport reached 34,106 and aircraft movements at the airport stood at 672.

According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), FDI inflows in Meghalaya stood at Rs. 11 crore (US$ 1.2 million) between October 2019-June 2025.

Meghalaya recorded Rs. 291 crore (US$ 32.85 million) worth of exports in FY25. Mica, Coal and Other Ores, Rice and drugs and pharmaceuticals account for a majority share in the overall exports from the state.

Natural resources, policy incentives and infrastructure in the state favour investment across tourism, hydroelectric power, manufacturing, and mining sectors. Minerals and mining, agriculture horticulture and tourism have been identified as the thrust sectors for industrial development.

Some of the major initiatives taken by the Government to promote Meghalaya as an investment destination are:

• In March 2025, the Cabinet approved a Rs. 22,864 crore (US$ 2.58 billion) greenfield highway project linking Meghalaya with Assam, aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and boosting economic development.
• On September 3, 2025, the Meghalaya Government launched the Autumn Tourism Calendar for 2025, featuring the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival held on November 14-15, 2025, luxury-hotel expansions, and upgraded travel infrastructure, signalling a strategic push to position the state as a cultural and adventure tourism hub.
• On August 5, 2025, the Meghalaya government announced a Rs. 240 crore (US$ 28 million) investment over three years for the Floriculture Mission 1.0 to transform the state into a high-value flower hub and benefit over 3,000 farmers.
• Developments under the state budget FY25:
  • A comprehensive three-year initiative aimed at revitalizing all healthcare facilities within the state is set to be launched, with an allocation of Rs. 500 crore (US$ 58.2 million) designated for this purpose in the FY26 budget.
  • Rs. 3,846 crore (US$ 462 million) to the Education, Sports, Arts, and Culture sector.
  • Rs. 1,290 crore (US$ 155 million) for the agriculture and allied activities sector.
• The Meghalaya homestay scheme aims to construct 5,000 homestay facilities between the years 2023-24 and 2027-28. This includes the construction of 1,000 homestays in the year 2023-24.
• The State Government invested around Rs. 25 lakh (US$ 29,950) for development of infrastructure at the spot in 2024-25.
• Investment of Rs. 500 crore (US$ 60 million) towards three years mission of ramping all health facilities in state.
• As of August 17th, 2023, there are 17 ongoing projects with a length of 388 km and an estimated total project cost of Rs. 7,252 crore (US$ 989,78 million).
• In August 2023, the Centre has proposed two railway projects in Meghalaya – the 22 km Tetelia-Byrnihat tracks and the 108 km Byrnihat-Shillong line.
• In August 2023, Northeastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) halted a proposed 500 MW Meghalaya thermal power project to focus on green energy.
• According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Meghalaya had 2.51 million wireless and 0.05 million wireline subscribers, as of March 2023. The number of internet subscribers in Meghalaya stood at 1.93 million, as of March 2023. Meghalaya had a total tele density of 76.36%, as of March 2023.
• In January 2023, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated the long-awaited 22.5 MW Ganol Hydro Power Project, near Tura in West Garo Hills.
• According to Chief Minister Mr. Conrad K Sangma, Meghalaya is home to nearly 14,600 schools and employs over 55,160 teachers, surpassing other small states in Northeast India (2020-21).
• In June 2023, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Mr. Conrad Sangma, launched the Tourism Policy 2023, which aims to capitalize on the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Meghalaya while ensuring sustainability and responsible development.
• The total length of roads sanctioned under the main schemes of MDoNER, namely the North East Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS) and the Northeast Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), implemented either directly or through the North Eastern Council (NEC), in the state of Meghalaya over the last three years (2020-21 to 2022-23) is 169.51 kilometres.
• On March 15th, 2023, Northeast Frontier Railway achieved another milestone of electrification by commissioning the Dudhnai – Mendipathar (22.823 Track Kilometre) single line section and Abhayapuri – Pancharatna (34.59 Track Kilometre) double line section. Mendipathar is the only railway station in the northeastern state of Meghalaya which has been in operation since 2014.
• As of March 2023, 5 large Hydro Electric Projects and 3 small Hydro Power Projects were installed in Meghalaya.
• The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple projects worth over Rs. 2,450 crore (US$ 298.74 million) in Shillong, Meghalaya.
• In January 2023, the Meghalaya Mental Health and Social Care Policy was introduced which aims to promote mental health and social care through collaborative engagement with all concerned Agencies/Departments and communities.
• The Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned 41 projects worth Rs. 90 crore (US$ 10.99 billion), under Hill Area Development Programme.
• Under the crop insurance scheme, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the government of Meghalaya is providing farmers with 100% premium support for both the Kharif and Rabi seasons in 2023-24. Meghalaya produces Rs. 400 crore (US$ 48.50 million) worth of jackfruit annually and this can be scaled up to Rs. 1,000 crore (US$ 121.25 million).

Meghalaya offers a niche and sustainable growth opportunity, supported by steady GSDP expansion, rich natural resources, and a strong focus on green development. Abundant rainfall, diverse soils, and mineral reserves underpin agriculture, mining, and allied industries, while hydropower and renewable energy form the backbone of the state’s clean energy strategy. Rising public investment in healthcare, education, tourism infrastructure, and connectivity, along with targeted initiatives in floriculture, handlooms, and homestays, is strengthening livelihoods and employment. With its emphasis on eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and responsible development, Meghalaya is well positioned for inclusive, environmentally balanced economic growth.