Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 10: Amid the continuing protests by students across colleges in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands opposing the affiliation of island institutions with the newly proposed Deemed University, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration issued a detailed question-and-answer style press release this evening intended as a clarification. However, instead of settling concerns, the release has triggered fresh confusion and a new wave of questions among students and academic stakeholders.
The press statement followed a meeting between a delegation of agitating students from the constituent colleges of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning (NSCBIHL) and senior officials of the Administration. The document addressed issues ranging from fees and infrastructure to examinations and funding, but noticeably omitted what many protesters describe as the “core questions” — who demanded the creation of a Deemed University in the islands and why the long-standing affiliation with Pondicherry University was discontinued.
According to the Administration, there will be no increase in fees and the present nominal fee structure will continue, with the institution remaining fully funded through grants from the Union Territory Administration. It also assured that existing infrastructure in constituent colleges will not be withdrawn and that additional facilities would be developed to improve the quality of education. Further, the current stipend system for students will continue without interruption.
On the issue of long-term sustainability, officials stated that the Administration would continue to fund the Deemed University even beyond the initial five-year establishment period. Regarding examinations and evaluation for the 2025-26 academic batch, the Administration said the process would be conducted by NSCBIHL with support from Pondicherry University or another mentor institute through a formal Memorandum of Understanding.
The release also emphasised that accreditation under NAAC and participation in NIRF rankings would be mandatory as per UGC regulations, and assured that quality benchmarks under the National Education Policy 2020 would be maintained through research promotion, industry-aligned curricula and transparent academic processes. It further claimed that the new system would reduce the need for students to migrate outside the islands and create more opportunities for local research.
Despite these assurances, protesting students and several civil society voices argue that the clarification fails to address the fundamental rationale behind the structural shift in university affiliation. Many believe that while the Administration has responded to operational concerns such as fees and stipends, it has not explained the decision-making process, consultation mechanism or the academic justification for moving away from Pondicherry University.
As demonstrations continue at various campuses, the latest press release appears to have done little to calm the unrest, with student groups maintaining that clarity on intent and long-term academic credibility remains the primary demand.
