The Meghalaya government has announced a new scholarship program to support young people interested in hospitality and hotel management. The scheme is called the Chief Minister Hospitality Scholarship Programme (CMHSP) and aims to help 165 students over the next five years. The government will invest Rs 6.6 crore to cover their tuition fees for a B.Sc. degree in Hospitality and Hotel Management at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Shillong.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh launched the program in Shillong, emphasizing that it’s a great opportunity for youth to explore careers in the growing hospitality industry. He explained, “The goal is to nurture talent, expand professional education, and prepare a skilled workforce to meet industry demands. We want to encourage young people to seize global opportunities in hospitality.”
Under this scheme, all tuition fees will be covered by the government. Every year, 55 students from different blocks in Meghalaya will be chosen through a merit-based process. These students will be the first batch, and similar batches will follow for the next four years, making a total of 165 beneficiaries.
The government will spend nearly Rs 3.6 lakh per student over five years. However, students will need to pay for hostel accommodation, mess, uniforms, and other personal expenses.
To qualify, applicants must be permanent residents of Meghalaya, have passed Class XII with English, and belong to families earning less than Rs 3 lakh annually. There is no age limit, making it open for all eligible young people interested in hospitality education.
Selection will be based on merit and genuine interest, with the final decision made by a special state-level committee. The initiative has received support from Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who called it a vital step toward creating jobs and boosting tourism in the state.
“This program is part of our commitment to empower youth and develop opportunities in one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world — hospitality and tourism,” said the Chief Minister.
This new scholarship scheme is a big boost for Meghalaya’s youth, helping them shape bright futures in the hospitality industry while also supporting the state’s growing tourism sector.
