Sri Vijaya Puram, July 24: Member of Parliament Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has urged the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to keep the proposed Andaman & Nicobar Islands Private University Regulation, 2026 in abeyance and instead pursue the long-pending demand for establishing a Central University in the Islands.
In a detailed representation submitted to the Lieutenant Governor on 21.07.2026, the MP expressed serious concerns over the proposed Regulation and endorsed the objections raised by Hindu Rashtra Shakti (HRS), A&N Islands in its representation dated 18 July 2026.
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray stated that the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have consistently demanded a Central University to provide quality, affordable and publicly funded higher education. He said there has been no public demand or demonstrated need for establishing a private university in the Islands.
The MP pointed out that no demand assessment, feasibility study, financial viability report or policy paper has been placed in the public domain to justify the proposed Regulation. He also questioned whether any reputed private educational institution has approached the Administration for setting up such a university.
Expressing concern over certain provisions of the draft Regulation, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray said they could give rise to apprehensions that existing Government colleges, public infrastructure and educational assets may, in future, be brought under a private university framework. He clarified that while he was not alleging any predetermined intention, these concerns require clear safeguards and categorical clarification from the Administration.
He further observed that the proposed institutional framework appears to be largely officer-centric, with inadequate representation of independent educationists, the University Grants Commission, teachers, students and elected representatives.
He emphasized that a Central University would provide assured Central funding, affordable education, better faculty recruitment, enhanced research opportunities and specialised courses in marine sciences, fisheries, biodiversity, disaster management, tribal studies, island ecology and strategic studies, which are highly relevant to the unique needs of the Islands.
Mr. Ray has requested the Administration to place all relevant policy documents, feasibility studies and details of the proposal in the public domain and to hold a transparent public consultation before taking any final decision.
He has also urged the Administration to incorporate explicit safeguards to ensure that existing Government colleges, students, employees, Government land and infrastructure are not transferred, integrated or brought under any private university arrangement without due approval and public consultation.
The MP has appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to recommend and vigorously pursue the establishment of a Central University with the Government of India, stating that it would best serve the long-term educational aspirations of the people of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Copies of the representation have also been forwarded to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Union Minister of Education, Chairman of the University Grants Commission and the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, for their information and appropriate action.
