Pondicherry University is a central university in Pondicherry, India. Founded in 1985 by the Government of India, the university is a collegiate university with a jurisdiction spread over the Union Territories of Pondicherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
It has 35000 students in its 87 affiliated colleges including 27,000 students in the distance education mode. The current strength of students studying on-campus stands at 6500. It has introduced innovations like the Choice-based Credit System and on-line admission for postgraduate studies.
Teaching and research are its primary functions as in other Central Universities. It has affiliated colleges located in Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Pondicherry University Act, 1985, established the university.
Pondicherry University is located in a campus spread over 780 acres (3.2 km2), facing the Bay of Bengal on the East Coast Road. It is accessible from Chennai (168 km) and Banglore (300 km).