Pondicherry University, also known as PU, is a central research university located in Kalapet, Puducherry. It was established by an Act of Parliament in 1985 by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.
The university functions as a collegiate institution, with its jurisdiction spread over the Union Territory of Puducherry, including its constituent regions located in Tamil Nadu (Pondicherry and Karaikal), Kerala (Mahé) and Andhra Pradesh (Yanam), as well as the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This jurisdiction over multiple Union Territories gives the university a broadly national character.
The President of India serves as the Visitor of the university. The Vice President of India is the Chancellor, while the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry acts as the Chief Rector. Reflecting the diverse regions under its jurisdiction, residents within its catchment areas speak a range of languages, including English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Assamese, Kannada and French.
Alongside its academic programmes, the university supports the development of local skill sets through several vocational programmes, including paramedical courses that make use of on-site hospital facilities.
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Pondicherry University.