A structural shift in higher education governance is set to take effect in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with all seven constituent institutions of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning (NSCBIHL) proposed to operate fully under its ambit from the academic year 2025–26. The move signals consolidation of academic administration, examinations and degree-awarding functions within the deemed university framework in the Islands.
NSCBIHL’s journey traces back to its announcement as a deemed university during a prime ministerial visit to the Islands in 2018. Subsequent consultations involving the University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Education led to the preparation of a Detailed Project Report by EdCIL (India) Ltd. in 2019. The proposal then moved through multiple layers of scrutiny, including in-principle clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs in March 2022, followed by the issuance of a Letter of Intent by the Ministry of Education on March 21, 2023. Formal status came through a Gazette Notification dated March 8, 2024, establishing NSCBIHL as an Institution Deemed to be University under the de-novo category in line with UGC Regulations under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
The institute’s academic vision is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, with emphasis on multidisciplinary learning, ocean sciences, sustainable development and island-specific studies. These focus areas are positioned to reflect the geographic and ecological context of the territory while integrating broader national education priorities.
The seven constituent units identified under NSCBIHL are Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya, Mahatma Gandhi Government College, Andaman College, Tagore Government College of Education, Andaman Law College, Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology. Among them, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology has already been functioning under NSCBIHL since the academic year 2024–25, while the remaining six continued affiliation with Pondicherry University during the transition period to maintain academic continuity for enrolled students.
From 2025–26 onward, academic administration, examinations and degree awarding for these institutions will be handled exclusively by NSCBIHL. Students admitted up to the academic year 2024–25 will continue under Pondicherry University, ensuring that ongoing batches are not affected by the change in affiliation. The fee structure is to remain unchanged as the institutions continue to receive funding support from the Union Territory Administration.
To support academic standards during its formative phase, the Administration has entered into memorandums of understanding with several institutions, including the University of Delhi, Regional Institute of Education in Bhubaneswar, National Law University in Visakhapatnam, NIT Puducherry and AIIMS for medical education. These collaborations are intended to provide mentorship, curriculum support and domain expertise aligned with national and industry requirements.
Administrative groundwork has also been initiated. A proposal for creation of 134 posts was submitted in January 2025. Interim appointments of a Registrar and Controller of Examinations were made in September 2025, alongside continued coordination with the Ministry of Education and the UGC. These steps indicate efforts to build institutional capacity ahead of full academic integration.
The transition is positioned as a response to long-standing operational issues associated with distant university affiliation, including delays in results and examinations. By bringing academic processes under a locally anchored university structure, the Administration aims to streamline timelines and align educational delivery more closely with the needs of students in the Islands. Further emphasis remains on strengthening infrastructure, faculty and academic systems as NSCBIHL evolves within the higher education landscape of the territory.
