Aizawl, Nov 21: The Mizoram government has decided to set up the main centre of the proposed Mizoram State University in Lunglei, responding to a long-standing demand from residents of the southern districts. Chief Minister Lalduhoma made the announcement during a meeting of the Lunglei High Powered Committee on Thursday.

An official statement said the decision marks a shift from the government’s earlier plan to establish the university’s main centre in Aizawl. Authorities have indicated that legal amendments will be made if necessary to implement the revised plan aimed at ensuring balanced educational development across Mizoram.

The Mizoram State University Bill, 2025, passed by the State Assembly on March 4, seeks to establish a teaching-focused state university that will affiliate colleges across the state within 15 years under the National Education Policy 2020.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Vanlalthlana said the new university will follow a cluster model to bring multiple colleges and institutions under one administrative structure. He added that Mizoram University, a central university, is expected to evolve into a research-intensive institution by 2035 and will stop taking new college affiliations.

Vanlalthlana also noted that most of the state’s 21 colleges do not currently meet the criteria for autonomous degree-granting status, which could push them to seek affiliations outside the state. The proposed state university, he said, will address this challenge and expand academic opportunities in undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational programmes.