Cover Story
Top 10 Promising Colleges in the Northeast - 2025
The northeastern region of India is home to a diverse and growing network of colleges that are steadily gaining recognition for their academic excellence, research contributions, and holistic student development. Encompassing states like Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Sikkim, this region offers a unique blend of cultural richness and educational opportunity, making it an emerging hub for higher education in the country. Colleges here are increasingly combining traditional disciplines with modern curricula, catering to the evolving demands of industries and the global knowledge economy.
Institutions in the Northeast offer programs across engineering, medicine, sciences, humanities, social sciences, business management, and emerging technologies, providing students with opportunities to develop both technical skills and critical thinking. Many of these colleges have forged collaborations with national and international universities, enhancing research capabilities, faculty expertise, and exposure to global best practices. Additionally, several northeastern colleges emphasize experiential learning, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, fostering well-rounded graduates who are prepared for professional challenges and societal contributions.
Despite geographical challenges, the region’s colleges are leveraging digital tools, innovative pedagogy, and skill-based programs to compete with premier institutions across India. With a strong focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and local cultural integration, these colleges not only provide quality education but also preserve and promote the unique heritage of the Northeast. As awareness of their academic strengths grows, colleges in the Northeast are increasingly attracting talent from across the country, positioning the region as a promising destination for higher learning, research, and innovation.
This issue of Higher Education Review talks about some of the professionally managed colleges in the country, which has been nurtured with best technical and professional infrastructure and assistance from efficient and skilled faculties ensuring delivery of quality higher education and research. This issue spotlights a list of ‘Top 10 Promising Colleges in the Northeast - 2025’, the list has been crafted by a team of Industry veterans, CEOs, VCs and the Higher Education Review editorial team.
Top 10 Promising Colleges in the Northeast - 2025
College Logo |
College |
Management |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Gauhati University
Guwahati
|
Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor | Offers diverse fields like Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Education, Management, and specialized areas through its institutes, focusing on humanities, social sciences, sciences, and North East India Studies |
|
Indian Institute of Management, Shillong
Shillong
|
Prof. Nalini Prava Tripathy, Director | Provides core management programs like the flagship PGPM (MBA), a unique Integrated Program in Management (IPM) (BBA+MBA), an executive PGPEx (India & China focus), and a Doctoral (PhD) program |
|
Manipur University
Imphal
|
Prof. N Lokendra Singh, Vice Chancellor | Offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across Schools of Studies and numerous departments, covering Arts like Korean, Dance, Music, Sciences, Commerce, Law, Engineering, and more |
|
Mizoram University
Aizawl
|
Prof. Dibakar Chandra Deka, Vice Chancellor | Offers a wide range of fields, including Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, like E-Business, Finance, Big Data, Education, Law, Earth Sciences, & Computer Applications, and more |
|
National Institute of Technology, Meghalaya
Sohra
|
Prof. Pinakeswar Mahanta, Director | Offers undergraduate (B.Tech), postgraduate (M.Tech, MSc, MBA), and PhD programs in core engineering like Civil, ECE, EEE, CSE, EIE and basic sciences such as Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics |
|
North-Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya (NEHU)
Shillong
|
Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, Vice Chancellor | The university provides diverse UG, PG, and Doctoral programs in Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Law, and Management, focusing on regional development |
|
Scholar’s Institute of Technology and Management
Guwahati
|
Prof. Jhumur Lodh, Director | The institute supplements the curriculum with parallel professional certifications, industry-led workshops, and practical skill training, including collaborations that enable students to learn from industry professionals |
|
Sikkim Global Technical University
Namchi
|
Dr Saurabh Singhal, Chancellor | The university offers skillintegrated, multidisciplinary programs across engineering, agriculture, management, health sciences, hospitality, and other fields |
|
Tezpur University
Tezpur
|
Prof. Ashim Jyoti Thakur, Dean - Academic Affairs | Provides diverse programs across four main Schools, such as Science, Engineering, Management, and Humanities & Social Sciences, covering fields like B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, Mass Comm, English, Sociology, Physics, and more |
|
University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya
Ri-Bhoi
|
Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor | The university is focused on transforming education in Northeast India, offering diverse undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs in science, technology, and health, including courses like MBBS and Pharmacy |