Students at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Arunachal Pradesh initiated an indefinite halt of their second-semester classes on Tuesday. The students, pursuing screen acting and documentary cinema, cited an “unfinished, non-functional campus” and a critical absence of essential academic infrastructure. This latest action marks the third instance this year that students have stopped classes due to long-standing, unresolved issues regarding the institute’s facilities.
Infrastructure Deficiencies Hamper Learning
Student representatives stated they have already lost an entire semester due to what they describe as a “collapsed academic environment.” Key infrastructure problems severely impacting their education include non-operational studios, rendering practical training impossible. Classrooms are often faulty, disrupting instruction. The institute provides limited camera equipment, restricting hands-on experience for aspiring filmmakers. Critically, there is no functional sound studio available for their programs, a core requirement for film production courses.
Beyond academic tools, students also detailed a weak medical support system on campus. They reported insufficient access to basic amenities, further deteriorating their living and learning conditions. The students firmly stated the campus remains under extensive construction. This contradicts initial promises of a “state-of-the-art national campus,” designed to provide comprehensive film education facilities.
Unanswered Calls for Action
Students have actively sought intervention from higher authorities since December of last year. They have sent multiple formal letters detailing the campus deficiencies and their impact on academic progress. These communications were directed to the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) Kolkata, which oversees FTII Arunachal Pradesh, and the Union Information & Broadcasting Ministry. Despite these repeated appeals, students confirmed that no significant corrective actions or tangible improvements have been implemented to date.
A History of Disruptions
The institute has experienced a pattern of academic disruptions this year. There were two previous academic halts, occurring in March and again in May. Both instances stemmed directly from the same unresolved issues concerning inadequate campus infrastructure and non-functional academic facilities. Classes briefly resumed in August, offering temporary relief. However, students alleged that all remaining infrastructure work then ceased completely. They further stated the ministry failed to intervene effectively to ensure the resumption of construction or to address their escalating concerns following the August restart.
Admission Controversy: “Experimental Subjects”
Recent official records have brought further scrutiny to the institute’s operations. Right to Information (RTI) responses and internal correspondence exchanged between SRFTI and the ministry explicitly confirm the campus’s incomplete status. These documents officially state the facility is unfit to admit new students in the upcoming 2025 academic year. This assessment has compelled a mandatory pause in future admissions, signaling serious underlying issues.
Students questioned the rationale behind their own admission to the institution last year. They pointed out that the campus situation was arguably “worse” at the time of their enrollment than it is currently. They levied a strong accusation against the Union Information & Broadcasting Ministry, alleging they are being treated as “experimental subjects in a prematurely launched institution.” This ongoing class halt underscores their urgent demand for a fully functional, safe, and academically viable campus environment, rather than a perpetual construction site.