Sri Vijaya Puram, July 28: The Andaman & Nicobar Islands unit of National Students’ Union of India and Pradesh Youth Congress has submitted a memorandum to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration expressing strongest opposition to the “Draft Notification on Andaman and Nicobar Islands Private University Regulation, 2026.”
M.A. Sajid, State President of NSUI A&N Islands and State Vice President of PYC A&N Islands, stated that the student community of the islands has been demanding a full-fledged Central University for decades. He reminded that any attempt to bring a Deemed or Private University model was rejected in the past through massive protests and an Andaman Bandh because such models cannot match the funding, autonomy and credibility of a Central University. Sajid said that the people of these islands do not need a profit-driven education model. Across the country we have seen how private universities charge exorbitant fees, compromise on quality and infrastructure, and lack transparency. Imposing the same model on our islands will make higher education unaffordable for the children of fishermen, farmers and low-income families.
Sajid further stated that the draft must include mandatory safeguards if it is to be pursued. These include strict fee caps, scholarships and fee waivers for domicile students, compulsory NAAC and NBA accreditation, adherence to UGC norms, regular inspections and a transparent grievance redressal system. He also demanded a minimum of 80 percent reservation for students domiciled in A&N Islands in all courses, and priority for local youth in all teaching and non-teaching jobs. The regulation must also mandate courses relevant to the islands such as Marine Science, Oceanography, Disaster Management, Island Tourism and Tribal Studies, and ensure minimum local recruitment of faculty and staff.
Highlighting the ecological concerns, Sajid said that the unique and fragile environment of the islands cannot be ignored. The regulation must strictly prohibit the diversion of forest, tribal or coastal land for private university campuses. Large scale construction will put immense pressure on the limited water, electricity and waste management resources of the islands. Therefore, the Administration should prioritize the use of existing government infrastructure only.
In conclusion, NSUI and PYC strongly demand the immediate withdrawal of the Draft Private University Regulation 2026 in its present form. The Administration must instead focus all efforts on establishing a Central University in A&N Islands. If the Administration fails to withdraw the draft and continues to ignore the long-standing demand of the people, the student community will be forced to launch a democratic mass movement across the islands. “Our fight is to protect the future of every student in A&N Islands. Education must remain accessible, affordable and of high quality,” Sajid concluded.