The Andaman & Nicobar Administration has confirmed that the ongoing student protests have led to key assurances regarding higher education institutions in the Union Territory. Officials stated that the existing fee structure will remain unchanged, as the colleges continue to receive funding from the A&N Administration.
The administration also addressed concerns about the affiliation of six colleges, Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM), Mahatma Gandhi Government College (MGGC), Andaman College (ANCOL), Tagore Government College of Education (TGCE), Andaman Law College (ALC), and Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), with Pondicherry University for the 2025–26 academic year. Requests have been submitted to the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to maintain the existing affiliation.
Under the agreement, Pondicherry University will conduct examinations for all six colleges for the 2025–26 academic year, and students will receive degrees from the university. The decision is intended to ensure uninterrupted academic operations and prevent disruption to students’ educational progress.
This move is seen as a measure to provide stability amid ongoing discussions about higher education reforms in the islands, including the proposed transition of local institutions under a deemed university framework. Administration officials emphasized that the decision reflects a commitment to safeguard the academic interests of students while ensuring quality higher education remains accessible.
Authorities highlighted that the continuity of affiliation and fee structure will allow students to complete the academic year without uncertainties regarding degree recognition, tuition costs, or administrative changes. The announcement follows weeks of protests and concerns voiced by student bodies, parents, and faculty about the potential implications of structural shifts in the higher education system.
The administration reaffirmed its dedication to providing a transparent and stable educational framework for students, stating that all necessary steps are being taken to uphold academic standards and maintain smooth operations across institutions. Officials noted that while reforms are ongoing, the priority remains the welfare and academic continuity of students.
Stakeholders, including students and parents, have welcomed the assurances, noting that the measures reduce immediate anxieties about degree recognition and fee increments. Observers also view the decision as a demonstration of the administration’s willingness to engage with student concerns while balancing broader policy objectives.
The administration’s announcement reinforces its position that changes in higher education structures will be implemented carefully, with due consideration to existing affiliations and the academic needs of students. Officials stressed that ongoing reforms are aimed at strengthening institutional governance, academic quality, and alignment with national higher education standards, without compromising current student interests.
