David R. Syiemlieh


David Reid Syiemlieh is an Indian historian, academic, and former civil service administrator. He served as Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission and has held academic roles. In 2025, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to literature and education.

Career

Syiemlieh attended Dr. Graham’s Homes, Kalimpong, and completed his BA at St. Edmund’s College, Shillong, followed by MA, MPhil, and PhD in History from North Eastern Hill University, Shillong.
Beginning as a lecturer at St. Edmund’s College, he progressed at NEHU, holding roles including Head of Department, Dean, Registrar, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor. He became Vice‑Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, in October 2011. He also undertook a visiting scholar role at the University of Notre Dame, USA.
Appointed a Member of the UPSC in 2012, he later served as its Chairman from 4 January 2017 until January 2018.

Historical scholarship

Syiemlieh specializes in colonial/post‑colonial Northeast Indian history. He is credited with correcting the widely accepted death date of Khasi freedom fighter Tirot Sing - from 1834 to 17 July 1835 - after locating primary sources in the Bengal Judicial Consultations. He also clarified that Tirot Sing died under house arrest in Dhaka, not in prison.

Awards and honours

Selected publications

British Administration in Meghalaya: Policy and Pattern They Dared To Hope: The Holy Cross Congregation in India Survey of Research in History on North East India, 1970–1990 Early States in North East India On the Edge of Empire: Four British Plans for North East India
  • ''Layers of History: Essays on the Khasi‑Jaintias''