‘Degree loses value’: Why Andaman college students continue protest against shift from Pondicherry University

Hundreds of college students in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been protesting for close to two months, gathering daily at the Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM), Port Blair. They are effectively in limbo, caught between two institutions, the central Pondicherry University and the brand new Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning (NSCBIHL), a deemed-to-be university.

At the heart of the problem are seven Andaman colleges affiliated to Pondicherry University which the island administration plans to shift to NCSBIHL. Students of these colleges are vehemently opposed to this move. When they took admission, they knew they were working towards a Pondicherry University degree; now, their futures seem uncertain. Students not only fear having to graduate with a degree from a less-prestigious institution, but also fee hikes, revisions in reservation policies and more.

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The order came in February, after the first-year students had already written their first semester exams. Furious protests bought them time with the administration stating in mid-February that the change in affiliation had been put on hold for the 2025-26 academic year and that the current batch of first year students will graduate with Pondicherry University degrees.

However, on March 20, NCSBIHL vice-chancellor, Alok Kumar Rai, met the seven principals at the administration secretariat. Students later found that JNRM college’s new block had offices for the NCSBIHL vice-chancellor and his staff.

Pondicherry University, 7 colleges

The seven colleges impacted include JNRM, Andaman Law College, Andaman College (ANCOL), Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), Dr BR Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT), Tagore Government College of Education (TGCE) and Mahatma Gandhi Government College (MGGC).

A first-year BA Political Science student at Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM), participating in the protests, said the issue dates back several years. He recalled that during a 2018 visit, Narendra Modi had spoken about establishing a university in the islands, but there was no mention of merging the seven colleges affiliated with Pondicherry University into a deemed-to-be university.

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According to students, the proposal was formalised through a government gazette in 2023 without adequate public communication. “We took admission under Pondicherry University and even completed our first semester exam in January. Then suddenly in February we were told that the university affiliation had changed,” he said, adding that the decision was taken without students’ consent.

Central University Pondicherry Vs NSCBIHL

Students say the shift could affect both affordability and the value of their degrees.

“There is no proper structure right now. We are worried the fees may increase and we don’t know whether the degree from a new university will have the same value,” said one.

Both can have a significant impact on students in the islands, many of whom come from families with limited financial means. “Most parents here are auto drivers, small shopkeepers or vegetable vendors. If the fees increase, many students will struggle to afford higher education,” he said.

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Students have also raised concerns about reservation policies and future opportunities. According to him, some institutions currently offer higher reservation for Scheduled Tribe students, which could change under a new system following mainland norms. “If the deemed university follows mainland norms, the quota could drop significantly,”

However, the Andaman administration has said there will be no fee hike and that fees will remain nominal.

Arvind Rao, state working president of National Students' Union of India (NSUI), said that while a deemed university could bring direct funding advantages to institutions, concerns remain about recognition. “There is a big difference between a deemed university and Pondicherry University, which is well recognised,” he said. Change in affiliation could also bring changes in curriculum and syllabus and cause disruptions in teaching. Arguing for an alternative, he suggested that the islands could push for a central university model, citing Ladakh as an example. He noted that a similar approach could be considered instead of converting existing colleges.

Protests continue

Protests began on February 3 and continue. “Initially around 1,500 to 2,000 students gathered. Now about 100 to 200 students are still sitting in protest every day,” said a student, adding that demonstrations have taken place across colleges.

Students began their sit-in protest at DBRAIT on February 3, before expanding to campuses including JNRM and TGCE. The main protest site is currently at JNRM, where students continue their sit-in.

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Students have held meetings with officials, including Vikram Singh, former director of education who was transferred in February after the protests began, but say their concerns remain unresolved. “They answered questions for some time but we were not satisfied. Many doubts remained and the meeting ended abruptly,” said the student.

While authorities have indicated that the current batch may continue under Pondicherry University, students say future batches will be shifted. “We are protesting not just for ourselves but for the students who will come after us,” he added.

Structural, academic gaps

A guest faculty member in political science, requesting anonymity, said that while setting up a university in the islands could be beneficial, converting existing colleges into transit campuses of a deemed university raises concerns. “The administration says they will manage it [the deemed-to-be university] for five years and then it will develop its own infrastructure. But right now there is no proper structure,” they said. “Students currently benefit from being affiliated to a central university, which offers lower fees and wider recognition. A new university can be created as an additional option, but existing colleges should not be converted.”

The teacher also pointed to infrastructural and academic limitations. “Colleges already struggle with basic facilities. Libraries have limited books and classes often have few students. Instead of addressing these issues, the administration is placing colleges under a deemed university structure.”

They also pointed out that protests are rare on the island. “There is no strong protest culture here, which makes this mobilisation significant,” the teacher said, adding that many educators are hesitant to speak publicly due to fear of administrative action.

Hemant Sharma, principal of JNRM, who has been on leave since before the protests began, acknowledged students’ concerns. “Students were earlier affiliated with a central university, and now they are being shifted to a deemed university. Naturally, they will see a difference. Central is the best,” he said.

Sharma added that the affiliation with Pondicherry University had functioned smoothly, with no major academic issues. While noting that new courses proposed under the deemed university model could also be introduced under Pondicherry University.

Pearl Devdas, the current principal of JNRM, declined to comment, stating that she was not authorised to speak on it.

Utpal Sharma, officer on special duty, NSCBIHL and former principal of DBRAIT declined to comment over a call. According to a report in The Wave Andaman, he has now been removed from that position.

Students alleged that Utpal Sharma is a key figure in the proposed deemed university. They also claimed that he had faced student protests during his tenure as principal of DBRAIT in 2022.

Pondicherry University Transfer: No consultation

Muhammad Asim, a final-year BA Hindi student at JNRM, said protests will continue and “if there is no response, we will organise a bigger protest”.

The new offices for the deemed university at JNRM College, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Images: By special arrangement)

He reiterated that students are not opposed to a new university but object to the conversion of existing colleges without consultation. “A new university is a good thing. But why convert existing colleges? They should create a separate university instead,” he said.

Asim alleged that authorities inaugurated the deemed university office at the JNRM campus on March 20 despite ongoing protests. “Students have been sitting on the road, still they inaugurated the vice-chancellor’s office at JNRM campus. No one informed us,” he said, adding that a holiday was declared for that day, citing Telugu Diwas, but claimed that no such holiday had been observed in previous years.

He further said that on March 21, another holiday was declared for Tagore College students during a meeting of the administration and principals of the colleges at the college auditorium.