Sri Vijaya Puram, July 18: A representation submitted to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has requested that the draft Andaman and Nicobar Islands Private University Regulation, 2026 be kept in abeyance, stating that the proposal should not be finalised before wider public consultation and disclosure of the policy basis for introducing a private university framework in the Union Territory. The representation also reiterates the demand for establishing a Central University, stating that it remains the long-pending aspiration of the Islands.
The memorandum, addressed to the Chief Secretary by Rakeshwar Lall, State President of Hindu Rashtra Shakti, states that no demand assessment, feasibility study, academic requirement analysis or student projection supporting the establishment of a private university has been placed in the public domain. It also notes that no proposal from any reputed educational institution, charitable trust or university group to establish a private university in the Islands has been made public.
According to the representation, the public demand over the years has consistently been for a Central University. It states that a Central University would ensure direct financial support from the Government of India, nationally recognised academic standards, affordable higher education, research opportunities and long-term institutional stability. The memorandum argues that introducing a private university framework without clarifying the status of the earlier Central University proposal could create uncertainty among stakeholders.
The representation also refers to the recent establishment of the deemed-to-be university integrating government colleges and questions the need for introducing a private university framework at this stage. It states that provisions contained in the draft regulation relating to constituent colleges, additional campuses, study centres and infrastructure-sharing require greater clarity to address public concerns regarding the future of existing educational institutions.
The memorandum further points out that the draft regulation does not expressly prohibit an Administration-controlled society or an organisation dominated by serving government officers from acting as the sponsoring body for a private university. It argues that explicit safeguards should be incorporated to maintain a clear distinction between public institutions and privately sponsored universities.
Another issue raised in the representation relates to the composition of the proposed Expert Committee responsible for examining applications. It states that the committee primarily comprises Administration officials and recommends inclusion of representatives from the University Grants Commission, independent educationists, former or serving Vice-Chancellors, teachers, students and elected representatives to ensure broader academic participation in the evaluation process.
The memorandum also seeks safeguards relating to government-owned educational infrastructure. It states that provisions allowing land, buildings, laboratories, libraries, hostels and other public assets to be leased or shared with a private university should be accompanied by statutory protections. It recommends mandatory public consultation, independent valuation of public assets and approval from the Government of India before any such arrangement is considered. The representation also seeks explicit provisions preventing the redesignation or transfer of existing government colleges as constituent colleges of a private university without due legislative and public oversight.
In addition, the representation questions the financial viability of a self-financing private university in the Islands and requests disclosure of the feasibility study, projected enrolment, identity of any prospective sponsoring body and the status of the earlier proposal for establishing a Central University. It also seeks clarification on how the proposed regulation would operate alongside the recently established deemed-to-be university.
The representation concludes by urging the Administration to keep the draft regulation in abeyance, publish all supporting policy documents, conduct consultations across all three districts and pursue the establishment of a Central University before taking a final decision on the proposed private university framework.
