*To* 
 *Her Excellency* 
 *Droupadi Murmu* 
 *President of India* 
 *Rashtrapati Bhavan* 
 *New Delhi – 110004* 

 *Subject* : Appeal for Immediate Intervention Regarding 11-Day Continuous Student Protest and Demand for Statutory Public University in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

 *Respected Madam,* 
                  With utmost respect, we write to inform Your Excellency about the grave educational crisis unfolding in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
For the past 11 consecutive days, students of seven government colleges have been sitting on a peaceful 24-hour protest on the roads. They have stopped attending classes in order to safeguard their academic future and degrees. The situation has deeply affected students and their families across the islands.

On *16th February* , the entire *Andaman & Nicobar Islands* observed a *one-day* *general shutdown (call-off).* Markets, shops, transport services, and business establishments remained closed. Islanders from all communities participated. This clearly shows that the people of the islands also *oppose* the forced implementation of the *Deemed* *University model on our existing colleges* 

Our *seven colleges* have long been *affiliated with Pondicherry University* , a *Central University* that ensures credibility, national recognition, and stability. However, *mid-academic term,* the *affiliation is being shifted* to *Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute* of *Higher Learning (NSCBIHL),* declared as a *Deemed-to-be-University* .

When *Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra* *Modi* visited the islands in *2018* , he proposed a Deemed University to *strengthen* higher education. It was *never stated* that all seven existing colleges would be *merged* under it or that affiliation with Pondicherry University would be withdrawn.

 *University of Ladakh (2018)* 
Ladakh, a Union Territory *without* a *legislature* —just like Andaman & Nicobar—was granted a *Statutory Public University* through the *University of* *Ladakh Act.* Existing government colleges of Leh and Kargil were *clustered* into one *Public University.* 
This university was created by law, carries government funding, and has full *statutory backing.* It is not a “deemed” status but a *permanent public institution* .

* *Cluster Universities of Jammu &* *Srinagar (2016)* 
In *Jammu & Kashmir, five existing* government colleges were *merged* into *Cluster Universities.* 
These institutions remained fully government-subsidized, publicly accountable, and empowered to award degrees under a statutory framework. They were modernized while remaining public and transparent bodies.

Both models prove that a *Union Territory* can have a *Statutory Public* *University* instead of being placed under a *self-financing Deemed structure* .

 *Article 240 – Constitutional Provision* 
            *Under Article 240* of the *Constitution of India* , the *President* has the power to *make regulations* for the “ *peace, progress and good* *governance” of Union Territories* such as *Andaman & Nicobar Islands* .
As highlighted *instead* of a *UGC* *notification granting “Deemed” status* (which can be reviewed or withdrawn),
 *Your Excellency may issue a Presidential Regulation* establishing a “ *University of Andaman & Nicobar.”* 
Such a regulation has the force of law, like an *Act of Parliament.* 

A *Statutory University* is a *permanent* “ *Body Corporate* ” with government accountability.
It cannot be easily privatized or dissolved.

 *Why Deemed Model is Risky for* *Islanders* 
Under *UGC Deemed Regulations 2023,* deemed universities are encouraged to become *self-sustaining* . This often leads to:
* Reduced government subsidy
Increased tuition and ancillary charges
* No strict fee caps
* Financial opacity compared to public universities

 *Andaman & Nicobar Islands* have high living costs. Many families depend on agriculture, fishing, and private employment. For students from remote islands like Nicobar, even current expenses are heavy. A self-financed model may make higher education unaffordable.
If mainland students face high fees, they can shift to other state or central universities. But island students have no such option. This creates inequality in access to education.

 *Our Humble Requests* 
* If a Deemed University must be established, kindly build it on newly allotted land as a separate institution without disturbing the affiliation of the seven colleges with Pondicherry University.
 *OR* 
* Kindly grant Andaman & Nicobar Islands a *Statutory Public* *University under Article 240,* similar to *Ladakh* and the *Cluster Universities of Jammu & Kashmir* , ensuring government funding, fee regulation, transparency, and constitutional protection.

Madam, forcing only Andaman & Nicobar into a self-financed deemed model while other Union Territories are granted statutory universities amounts to administrative discrimination and violates the principle of equality.

We respectfully appeal to Your Excellency to intervene and protect the future of thousands of students.

 *SAVE STUDENTS’ LIFE AND* *CAREER* .
With deepest respect and hope,

 *Yours faithfully,* 
 *Abhi Bhusan Ghosh* 
 *On behalf of the Students and* *Islanders of* 
 *Andaman & Nicobar Islands* 

Date: 17Feb 2026
Place: Sri Vijayapuram