Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb. 5: In a major step to strengthen higher education in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration proposes that all seven constituent units of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning (NSCBIHL) will operate fully under its ambit starting from the Academic Year 2025-26.
The deemed university was announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India during his visit to the Islands in the year 2018. Subsequent consultations with UGC and the Ministry of Education led to the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) by EdCIL (India) Ltd. in 2019. After rigorous reviews and approvals, including in-principle clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs in March 2022, the Ministry of Education issued a Letter of Intent on March 21, 2023, paving the way for the university’s formal recognition.
This follows the declaration by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, vide Gazette Notification No. 9-1/2023-U.3(A) dated March 8, 2024, establishing NSCBIHL as an Institution Deemed to be University under the de-novo category, in line with UGC Regulations declared under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
The move fulfils the vision to promote multi-disciplinary education with focus on ocean sciences, sustainable development, and island-specific studies, in tune with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The seven constituent units are:
•Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM)
•Mahatma Gandhi Government College (MGGC)
•Andaman College (ANCOL)
•Tagore Government College of Education (TGCE)
•Andaman Law College (ALC)
•Andaman & Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS)
•Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT)
DBRAIT has already been functioning under NSCBIHL since Academic Year 2024-25. The remaining six units continued their affiliation with Pondicherry University during the transitional phase to ensure academic continuity for students.
From Academic Year 2025-26, the academic, examinations, and degree awarding will be managed exclusively by NSCBIHL whereas students admitted till Academic Year 2024-25 shall continue with Pondicherry University. There will be no change in the existing fee structure as these institutions continue to be funded by the Union Territory Administration.
To ensure quality in its formative years, the A&N Administration has signed MoUs with premier institutions including the University of Delhi, Regional Institute of Education (Bhubaneshwar), National Law University (Vizag), NIT Puducherry, and AIIMS (for medical education). These collaborations will provide academic mentorship and expertise in designing curricula aligned with industry and national priorities.
The Administration has already taken key steps including:
•Submission of proposal for creation of 134 posts (January 2025)
•Interim appointment of Registrar and Controller of Examinations (September 2025)
•Continuous coordination with Ministry of Education and UGC
This integration will remove long-standing issues of delayed results and examinations caused by distant affiliation and will provide high-quality, locally relevant higher education to the youth of the Islands.
The Andaman & Nicobar Administration remains committed to further strengthening infrastructure, faculty, and academic quality to make NSCBIHL a centre of excellence.