eNorth East 2026 — Header
info@enortheast.in
October 23–24, 2026 · Shillong, Meghalaya
9th Edition — Nominations Open
NEIG 2026 — eNorth East
NEIG 2026

North East Internet Governance Forum

A multi-stakeholder platform engaging individuals from government, industry, academia, and civil society across the Northeast Region of India in open, equal-footing dialogue on internet-related public policy — with no predetermined outcomes.

Submit Paper / Case Study View State Series
NEIG 2026 — At a Glance
Event
North East Internet Governance 2026
Date
October 23–24, 2026
Venue
NEHU Campus, Shillong, Meghalaya
Format
State Series + Main Event
States
All 8 States of Northeast India
Deadline
30 September 2026
Objectives
What NEIG
Aims to Achieve

NEIG seeks to educate and motivate individuals in charge of developing policy in both the public and private sectors — even when there is no agreed-upon outcome.

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Discuss public policy problems relating to essential aspects of Internet governance in NER — promoting reach, sustainability, security, stability, and progress in the region's distinct landlocked topography.
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Promote and facilitate discourse between stakeholders dealing with cross-cutting themes and aspects of public policies regarding the internet specific to the Northeast region.
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Engage and interface with organisations and institutions on matters related to internet governance in the eight Northeastern states.
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Support and facilitate the exchange of information and best practices around internet governance and digital development.
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Engage stakeholders in proposing ways to accelerate the availability and affordability of the internet in the region.
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Work towards capacity building for internet governance in each of the eight states, drawing fully on local knowledge and expertise.
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Publish proceedings and disseminate outcomes for wider review, reference, and policy impact.
NEIG State Discussion Series 2026
Conversations Across All 8 States

Organised by CSDD, North East Development Foundation, and the Digital Empowerment Foundation — the State Series runs across all eight NE states before converging at the main NEIG event in Shillong. Experts from academia, development sector, activists, public sector, and tech sector come together to discuss the critical role that internet and ICT are playing in the Northeast.

Arunachal Pradesh
State Series · 2026
Upcoming
Assam
State Series · 2026
Upcoming
Manipur
State Series · 2026
Upcoming
Meghalaya
State Series · 2026
Upcoming
Mizoram
State Series · 2026
Upcoming
Nagaland
State Series · 2026
Upcoming
Sikkim
State Series · 2026
Upcoming
Tripura
State Series · 2026
Upcoming
NEIG 2026 — Main Event
The Annual Convergence

The State Series culminates in the year-ending NEIG main event with an overall focus on the Northeast Region — bringing all stakeholders together for panel discussions, workshops, and knowledge production.

Main Event
Oct 23–24
2026
NEHU Campus, Shillong
Meghalaya, India
Following a multi-stakeholder approach with emphasis on diversity of participants and openness of discussion — these conversations build meaningful connectivity at the policy, community, and individual level.
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01
Collectively understand the various facets of internet governance in Northeast India through open panel discussions with regional and national experts.
02
Engage and encourage stakeholders to critically examine issues and opportunities that internet governance brings to the NE region through workshops.
03
Encourage experts and youth to contribute to knowledge production by submitting articles, essays, and thought-pieces — to be edited and published in a special commemorative issue.
Thematic Areas
Key Broad Thematic Areas

NEIG 2026 will explore six broad thematic areas reflecting the most critical internet governance challenges and opportunities specific to the Northeast region.

Track 01
Sustainable Last-Mile Connectivity & Internet Reach
Exploring how the Himalayan Northeast can achieve reliable, affordable, and sustainable internet access for its most remote communities.
  • Connectivity, reach & access in remote terrain
  • Reliability & sustainability of networks
  • Cost & affordability of connectivity
  • Community networks as a viable alternative
  • Climate-friendly digital infrastructure
  • Policy means, subsidies & incentives
Track 02
E-Services & Digital Governance
Examining the state of e-governance in the region — its successes, barriers to delivery, and what a digital charter for the NE could look like.
  • Successes and challenges of e-services in NER
  • Access and delivery of e-services
  • State of digital governance in the region
  • Social, economic & cultural hindrances
  • Digital charter and internet governance
Track 03
Internet and Culture
How the internet is reshaping communities, indigenous knowledge systems, socio-political trends, and everyday lives in the Northeast.
  • Influence on communities and individuals
  • Changing cultural & socio-political trends
  • Adoption of new internet uses
  • Impact on everyday lives in NER
  • Gender and internet culture in NER
Track 04
Adopting Emerging Technologies
Assessing the readiness of NE states for AI, Machine Learning, and Blockchain — and what these technologies mean for the region's development.
  • AI, ML and Blockchain in NER context
  • Opportunities through emerging technologies
  • Challenges facing tech adoption in NER
  • Readiness of NE states for AI & ML
  • Smart Cities: opportunities & challenges
Track 05
Cyber Safety, Security & Accountability
Understanding cyber threats facing the region and exploring how to safeguard citizens' constitutional rights in the digital space.
  • Trends in cybersecurity threats & crimes
  • Safeguarding IT infrastructure in NER
  • Technology for citizen safety & security
  • Ensuring constitutional rights digitally
Track 06
Internet Freedom & Digital Rights
Addressing internet shutdowns, freedom of expression, privacy rights, and ensuring that connectivity does not come at the cost of civil liberties.
  • Internet shutdowns in NE states
  • Right to freedom of speech & expression
  • Right to individual & group privacy
  • Transparency of e-governance
  • Youth as leaders for tomorrow
Submit to NEIG 2026
Share Your Knowledge
Submit an Essay, Paper, Case Study, Article or Story
NEIG 2026 invites experts, researchers, practitioners, activists, and youth to contribute knowledge on any facet of internet governance and internet culture in Northeast India. Accepted submissions will be collated, edited, and published in a special NEIG 2026 commemorative publication.
Essay Research Paper Case Study Article Story Thought-piece
Last Date
30 September 2026
Submit Your Paper / Case Study →
Suggested Topics & Themes
  • Last-mile connectivity challenges in NER's terrain
  • Community network models for Himalayan villages
  • Internet shutdown impacts in the Northeast
  • AI and ML readiness across NE state governments
  • Digital gender gap in Northeast India
  • Indigenous knowledge and internet culture
  • E-governance success stories from NER
  • Cybersecurity threats specific to the region
  • Youth and digital rights activism in NER
  • Role of WSIS principles in NE internet governance
  • Climate and sustainable digital infrastructure
  • Privacy and data protection in NE states