A rapid visual screening (RVS) method assesses the seismic vulnerability of reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings in Shillong. Shillong (latitude 25.579 and longitude 91.891), the capital city of Meghalaya, is divided into 27 independent wards, each with individual boundaries. The entire Shillong city lies in the highly seismically active zone (zone V) as per Indian standards. Key vulnerability factors observed from 750 surveyed RC frame buildings encompass overhang, seismic gap, soft storey, setback, plan shape, building configuration, importance of building, storey count, structural damage in visible cracks, framing action and site conditions. The proposed RVS method also incorporates soil type and seismic zone considerations in its assessment. Utilizing the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Digital Slope Model (DSM) and Land Use Land Cover (LULC) maps, the study assesses the landscape. Findings indicate that 8.00%, 31.73% and 60.27% of surveyed RC buildings are anticipated to experience damage at levels DS-1, DS-2 and DS-3, respectively. The insights from this study offer crucial information for stakeholders to identify and address seismic vulnerability, enabling strategic interventions to strengthen, evacuate or dismantle buildings at risk. The results will empower the decision-makers to formulate timely mitigation policies for the community's built environment.