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Major student organizations like ABVP and NSUI has submitted official representations to the Andaman & Nicobar Lieutenant Governor recently. They took this big step because of the new policy called "Draft Andaman & Nicobar Islands Private University Regulation, 2026" which came out recently. Both these student groups normally does not agree on many things, but this time both came together to voice their strong worry regarding local education system.
The student leaders felt that if private colleges come without proper checks, local kids will suffer badly. So they made a detail list of their demands and handed it over to the LG office directly. News about this representation spread fast in colleges all over Port Blair, and right now almost every student in island is talking about what action government will take next on this policy matter.
Priority Request for Central University in Island :
The first main point written in the letter was that government must give priority to make a fully funded Central University first. Student representatives argued that bringing private university companies should not be the first choice here. For many years, local kids is suffering because there is no big central university in the island territory for doing higher studies.
Right now, after completing school, hundreds of boys and girls are forced to shift to mainland cities like Chennai, Delhi, or Bangalore. Going outside cost lakhs of rupees for accommodation and food, which poor and middle class parents simply cannot afford. If government spend money and start a government central university here only, then local youth don't have to leave their family and go far away for getting basic degree education.
Demand of 80% Domicile Quota for Local Students :
Apart from central university, the student unions raised a very serious point about seat reservation for local residents. They demanded that government must fix 80 percent domicile quota in all existing and upcoming higher education institutes in Andaman & Nicobar. They said local children who are born here and studied in island schools should get the first right on these seats.
The reason given by leaders is that island life have many difficulties compared to mainland states like less internet speed and limited coaching facilities. If open admission happens in private universities, students coming from outside will easily take away all seats because of higher marks. To stop this unfair thing, student groups told that 80% reservation rule is non-negotiable for protecting local youth future.
Need of Heavy Fee Cap on Private Colleges :
Another main point in the representation letter is about regulating college fees. ABVP and NSUI leaders both pointed out that private management always try to make huge profits by asking heavy tuition fees. They requested the Lieutenant Governor to put strict fee cap safeguards so that private universities cannot increase fees according to their own wish.
If government does not put strict upper limit on admission charges, hostel fees, and exam fees right from starting, then education will become like a business. Middle class and lower income family students will be left out completely. So student union leaders said that proper committee should be made by administration to fix every year fee structure, so that no private institute can exploit poor parents in the name of degree.
What Will Happen Next in Coming Days :
Now everyone is waiting to see how LG administration will respond on these representations given by youth groups. Students have made it clear that if government ignore these three main points—central university, 80 percent local quota, and fee control—then they will do mass protest across island colleges in coming days. Even local parent associations are standing in support of these demands now.
It is heard from sources that administration might call student representatives for a physical meeting soon to discuss the 2026 draft draft rules. The public hope is that government will make necessary changes in the policy keeping local students interest on top priority, so that development happens without harming the rights of island residents.
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