The proposal to establish a deemed-to-be university in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands remains under consideration while student protests across the territory continue over the issue. Demonstrations have been reported at multiple locations, including sit-in protests by students at Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM) in Sri Vijayapuram and at Mayabunder, reflecting concern among sections of students, parents, academic circles and the wider public regarding the future of higher education in the islands.
The issue had been formally raised earlier with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray before the present unrest in colleges began. In his communication dated December 9, 2025, Ray sought a review of the proposal to set up a deemed-to-be university in the name of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning at Sri Vijayapuram and urged consideration of establishing a central university instead. He pointed out that colleges in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are presently affiliated with Pondicherry University, a central university, and stressed that any change in institutional structure should take existing academic arrangements into account.
Following the representation, the Prime Minister’s Office acknowledged the communication and directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine the matter. The issue is currently under consideration by the Government and the Union Territory Administration, with no final decision announced so far.
The matter has also reached the judiciary. A group of students has challenged the notification related to the proposed deemed-to-be university by filing a writ petition before the High Court in WP No. 53 of 2026 (Vaishnavi Naidu and three others versus A&N Administration). The case remains pending adjudication, placing the issue simultaneously before both administrative authorities and the court.
Ray, in his representation, emphasised that the request was not intended to prejudge any institutional model but to ensure that the issue is examined in a fair, transparent and legally sound manner without aggravating unrest or creating irreversible consequences while the matter remains under government and judicial consideration. He also urged that the process of establishing the deemed-to-be university be kept in abeyance as an interim measure until a final decision is taken by the Government on his earlier representation and the High Court delivers its judgment.
The communication further indicated that advancing the process during the pendency of the matter could lead to avoidable legal complications, deepen student unrest and affect the academic environment, including examination schedules and campus normalcy. It stressed the need to safeguard the interests of students and island residents while maintaining stability in higher education.
At present, colleges in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands continue to remain affiliated with Pondicherry University under the existing statutory framework, an arrangement that has provided continuity in curriculum, recognised degrees and academic stability. Any change in this framework remains subject to ongoing administrative examination and judicial scrutiny.
Student protests over the deemed university issue continue across the islands as deliberations proceed. With the Ministry of Home Affairs examining the proposal, the High Court considering the petition and demonstrations persisting, the future course of higher education policy in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands remains unresolved.
