USTM to Host 8th North East Graduate Congress (NEGC) 2026 from 26–28 March
11th March, 2026 | Guwahati: The University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM) announced the upcoming 8th edition of the North East Graduate Congress (NEGC) 2026, scheduled to be held from 26th to 28th March 2026 at the USTM campus. The announcement was made during a press meet held at the Guwahati Press Club, where the organisers shared details of the mega youth event expected to bring together thousands of undergraduate students from colleges and universities across Northeast India.
The press meet was attended by Dr Mehzabeen Rahman, Principal Secretary, USTM; Dr Rashmi Baruah, Associate Professor, Department of Business Administration, USTM; Prof LK Nath, Dean, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, USTM; Prof Gayatree Goswamee, Dean, Prof Qomrul Hoque School of Education, USTM; and Mr Syed Rejaul Ahmed, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, USTM, who briefed the media about the objectives, programmes and highlights of the upcoming Congress.
NEGC is recognised as the largest graduate conglomeration of the Northeast, providing a dynamic platform for young minds to interact with eminent academicians, educationists, industrialists, entrepreneurs and youth icons of national repute. The three-day event aims to empower aspiring youths through competitions, knowledge sessions and interactive platforms designed to foster leadership, creativity, innovation and career readiness.
The Congress will feature a wide range 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 ₹50 lakh will be awarded to winners across various categories, encouraging students to showcase their talents and competitive spirit.
A major highlight of NEGC-2026 will be the Bollywood Night, featuring performances by renowned artists such as Madhubanti Bagchi, Aditya Narayan, Dharmesh Yelande, Lou Majaw, One North East Music Festival, and Hillphonic, creating a vibrant cultural atmosphere for participating students.
The Congress will also host several special sessions and panel discussions focusing on youth development, entrepreneurship, personality development and emerging career opportunities.
Another major highlight of NEGC 2026 will be the prestigious Zubeen Garg Fellowship, instituted to recognise outstanding young talents of the region and encourage their creative, academic and leadership potential. The fellowship aims to inspire youths of the Northeast to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to society, reflecting the spirit of innovation, cultural pride and social commitment that the Congress seeks to promote.
Conceptualised by the Education Research and Development Foundation (ERDF), NEGC has emerged as a unique platform for undergraduate students to engage with thought leaders and explore new possibilities for their future. Through this initiative, USTM aims to nurture talent, promote regional integration and inspire young people to contribute meaningfully to the progress of the nation.
USTM, located at Baridua on the Assam–Meghalaya border, is one of the fastest-growing universities in Northeast India, accredited with ‘A’ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and ranked among the top 200 universities in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
Students interested in participating in NEGC-2026 can register through their respective institutions or contact the organisers at 86386 86373 / 96137 19456 or E-mail: negc.ustm@gmail.com, Web: www.ustm.ac.in.