Pondicherry University is one of the best central universities in the country of India and its basic functions are research and teaching. The colleges affiliated to the university are located in Yanam, Mahe, Karaikal, Puducherry and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Apart from Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep Islands might probably have colleges affiliated to this university in the future.

The university was established under the Pondicherry University Act 1985. The university aims at taking measures in promoting research and inter-disciplinary studies, to make special provisions for integrated courses in sciences and humanities and studies in French in the academic programs and to provide advanced knowledge to the students by offering research and instructional facilities. The list of colleges affiliated to the university on the basis of the nature of education offered is given below:

Arts & Science Colleges:

• Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Government Arts College

• Kasthurba College for Women

• Rajiv Gandhi Arts Science College

• Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya

• Rathnavel Subramaniam College of Arts and Science

• Idhaya College of Arts and Science for Women

• Achariya Arts and Science College

• Saradha Gangadharan College

• Mahe Co-operative College of Higher Education & Technology

• Arignar Anna Government Arts College

• Mahatma Gandhi Government College

• Bharathiar Palkalaikoodam

• Avvaiyar Government College for Women

• Dr. S.R.K. Government Arts College

• Tagore Arts College

• Indira Gandhi College of Arts & Science

• Bharathidasan Government College for Women

• Kanchi Mamunivar Centre for Post Graduate Studies

Engineering Colleges:

• Pondicherry Engineering College, Pillaichavadi

• Christ College of Engineering & Technology, Moolakulam

• Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nedungadu

• Bharathiar College of Engineering and Technology

• Manakula Vinayagar Institute of Technology, Kalitheerthalkuppam

• Sri Ganesh College of Engineering & Technology, Mullodai

• Dr. S.J.S Paul Memorial College of Engineering and Technology

• RVS Institute of Management Studies and Computer Applications, Kalikuppam

• RVS College of Computer Application, Kalikuppam

• RVS College of Engineering and Technology, Kalikuppam

• Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering and Technology, Kirumambakkam

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Pahargaon

• Regency Institute of Technology, Adavipolam

• Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College, Madagadipet

B. Ed Colleges:

• Don Bosco College of Education and Research Institute

• Dr. Anbu Paul College of Education

• St. Annes College of Education and Research Centre

• Tagore Government College of Education

• Sri Venkateswara College of Education

• Achariya College of Education

• Venkateswara College of Education, Radha Boobalan Educational Campus

• Venkateswara College of Education, Kalitheerthalkuppam

• T.V.R. College of Education

• Immaculate College of Education for Women, Pakkamudayanpet

• Co-operative College of Education

• Dr. Kalaikannan College of Education for Women

• Alpha B. Ed College

• Nehru College of Education

• Sabari College of Education

• Vasavi College of Education

• Pope John Paul II College of Education, Reddiarpalayam

• Mahe Co-operative College of Teacher Education

• RVS College of Education, Kaliakuppam

• Amarnath College of Education, Kalikuppam

• Regency College of Education, Mettakur

• Vivekanandha College of Education

• Krishnasamy College of Education for Women, Manapet

• Arutperunchothi Ramalingasamy College of Education

• Loyola Institute of Teacher Education

• Senthil College of Education

• Sri Sairam College of Education

• Sree Narayana College of Education

• Usha Latchumanan College of Education

• Perunthalaivar Kamarajar College of Education

• Pope John Paul II College of Education, Reddiarpalayam

Medical Colleges:

• Indira Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute (Puducherry Medical College Society)

• Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College & Hospital, Kalitheerthalkuppam

• Sri Venkateswara Medical College & Hospital & Research Centre, Ariyur

• Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Ganapathichettikulam

Nursing/Paramedical Colleges:

• College of Nursing, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences

• Sri Venkateshwaraa College of Para Medical Sciences

• Mother Theresa Post Graduate and Research Institute of Health Sciences

• Sabari College of Nursing, ECR

• Sri Manakula Vinayagar Nursing College, Kalitheerthalkuppam

• Indirani College of Nursing

Dental Colleges:

• Mahe Institute of Dental Sciences, Chalakkara Palloor

• Mahatma Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Gorimedu

Veterinary Colleges:

• Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary Animal Sciences, Kurumbapet

Research Institute/Centre:

• Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR), Indra Nagar

• Zoological Survey of India, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre

• Regional Medical Research Institute

Law College:

• Sri Balaji Law School

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Government Law Colleges, Kalapet

Pondicherry University’s main campus is spread over an area of 780 acres, which was awarded by the Government of Puducherry. UGC supports the university and it is also a member of Association of Commonwealth Universities and Indian Universities. The fundamental objective of the university is to develop a solid base with important infrastructures for escalating the perspective of knowledge and disseminate it in a professional manner. Extension activities form an essential part in the operations of the university. The university is funded by several non-governmental and governmental organizations for conducting extension and research activities. The university has signed Memorandum of Understanding with institutions like African Studies of University of Munich, Institute of Cultural Anthropology and International Crops Research Institute.