The College of Fisheries Lembucherra celebrated its 28th Foundation Day with a programme highlighting fisheries education, research, innovation and student achievements. The event took place at the institution’s campus in Lembucherra, Tripura, on October 3, 2026. Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman attended the programme as the chief guest.
The celebration also featured the inauguration of new facilities, including a Recirculating Aquaculture System, a Fish Seed Rearing Unit and an extension of the students’ hostel. In addition, the college recognised 39 alumni achievers and honoured students for academic, cultural and extracurricular performance.
Young Football Prodigies Selected for State Sports Academy After Multi-District Trials
College of Fisheries Lembucherra Marks 28 Years
The College of Fisheries Lembucherra was established on October 3, 1998, and began functioning from the SIPARD campus in Agartala. The institution later shifted to its own 54.73-acre campus at Lembucherra in 2001. Central Agricultural University, Imphal, lists the college as one of its constituent institutions.
The college initially offered the Bachelor of Fisheries Science programme. Over the years, however, it expanded its academic activities to include postgraduate and doctoral programmes. The Dean’s official profile says the institution now offers M.F.Sc. programmes in seven disciplines and Ph.D. programmes in five disciplines.
The 28th Foundation Day therefore provided an opportunity to review the institution’s development since its establishment. The programme brought together government representatives, university officials, faculty members, students, alumni and other guests.
Minister Kishor Barman described the college as an important centre for fisheries education, skills and knowledge in Tripura. He also emphasised the need to connect classroom education with practical challenges through research, technology and innovation.
The minister further stressed the importance of fisheries education for human-resource development. According to reports from the event, he called for the establishment of a separate fisheries university in Tripura to strengthen specialised education and training in the sector.
New Facilities Strengthen Fisheries Training
A major feature of the College of Fisheries Lembucherra Foundation Day programme was the inauguration of three facilities. These included a Recirculating Aquaculture System, a Fish Seed Rearing Unit and an extension of the students’ hostel building.
The Recirculating Aquaculture System can support controlled aquaculture activities by allowing water to circulate through a treatment and reuse process. Such systems can provide opportunities for students and researchers to study aquaculture practices under controlled conditions.
The Fish Seed Rearing Unit adds another practical component to the institution’s fisheries infrastructure. Fish seed production and rearing form an important part of aquaculture, so access to dedicated facilities can support teaching, demonstrations and research activities.
Meanwhile, the hostel extension addresses the institution’s residential infrastructure. The college attracts students from different parts of India, making adequate accommodation an important part of its academic environment.
The college’s official information shows that its academic development has long been accompanied by investment in laboratories, experimental facilities and specialised infrastructure. Its achievements page records the introduction of postgraduate education, doctoral programmes and fisheries and aquaculture biotechnology facilities over different stages of its development.
The new facilities consequently add to an existing academic and research ecosystem. They also support the institution’s broader emphasis on practical education, which Minister Barman highlighted during the Foundation Day programme.
College Recognises Students and Alumni
The College of Fisheries Lembucherra celebration also placed considerable emphasis on academic and extracurricular achievement. The programme included awards for students who performed well in literary, sports and cultural activities during Annual College Week 2026.
Awards were also presented for Student of the Year and Academic Excellence. Such recognition forms part of the college’s effort to acknowledge performance beyond a single academic examination.
The programme also featured the Prof. J. R. Dhanje Memorial Award for the college’s top two performers in the ICAR AIEEA (PG)-2026 examination. These awards highlighted the performance of students pursuing higher-level fisheries education.
One particularly notable achievement involved S. Dinesh Singh, who secured All India Rank 1 in Fisheries Science in the ICAR AIEEA (PG)-2026 examination. The college gave special recognition to his performance during the Foundation Day programme.
Furthermore, the institution felicitated 39 distinguished alumni for their professional achievements during 2025–26. The recognition covered contributions across different professional fields and highlighted the continuing connection between the college and its former students.
The college has a substantial alumni base working in fisheries research, teaching, government departments and related institutions. Its Dean’s profile notes that alumni include ICAR scientists, faculty members, fisheries officers and professionals working in India and abroad.
Fisheries Education Supports Tripura’s Aquaculture Sector
The College of Fisheries Lembucherra operates in a state where fisheries and aquaculture remain important components of the rural economy. Tripura has been working to increase fish production and reduce dependence on supplies from other states.
A 2025 Tripura government release stated that the state’s annual fish demand stood at around 1.17 lakh metric tonnes, while production was approximately 86,000 metric tonnes. The government therefore identified a production gap and outlined measures to encourage aquaculture and greater use of available water bodies.
Against this background, specialised fisheries education can contribute to the development of trained professionals and improved aquaculture practices. Research institutions can also help farmers understand production technologies, fish health, seed management and other aspects of the sector.
The college has already participated in fisheries and agricultural outreach activities in Tripura. Its faculty members have taken part in programmes focused on technology transfer, farmer training and agricultural development.
The institution’s role also extends beyond the state. Central Agricultural University was established to address agricultural education and research requirements across the Northeast. The College of Fisheries therefore forms part of a wider regional academic framework serving the fisheries sector.
In 2025, the College of Fisheries also hosted activities linked to National Fish Farmers’ Day. The event brought together fish farmers and fisheries experts and included recognition for successful fish farmers from the Northeast.
These activities demonstrate the connection between academic institutions and the wider fisheries community. Education and research can support field-level adoption of improved practices when institutions maintain regular engagement with farmers and government agencies.
Future Focus on Research and Fisheries Innovation
The College of Fisheries Lembucherra has gradually expanded from an undergraduate institution into a centre offering postgraduate and doctoral education. Its academic programmes now cover multiple specialised areas of fisheries science.
Research and innovation are likely to remain important as the fisheries sector responds to changing production needs. Technologies such as controlled aquaculture systems, improved seed production and better fish-health management can support more efficient use of available resources.
The newly inaugurated Recirculating Aquaculture System and Fish Seed Rearing Unit provide additional infrastructure for this practical orientation. Students can potentially use such facilities as part of academic training and research activities, while the institution can use them for demonstrations and extension work.
Minister Kishor Barman’s call for a separate fisheries university also placed the Foundation Day discussion within a larger debate about specialised higher education. Such an institution, if established, could expand opportunities for fisheries research, professional training and human-resource development in Tripura.
The proposal remains a policy direction rather than an operational university at this stage. Therefore, its future implementation would depend on government decisions and the necessary academic and administrative processes.
For the college itself, the 28th Foundation Day marked another stage in its institutional development. Its combination of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral education, research infrastructure and alumni engagement gives it an established role in fisheries education in the Northeast.
Conclusion
The College of Fisheries Lembucherra used its 28th Foundation Day to highlight institutional growth, academic achievement and the importance of fisheries education in Tripura. The inauguration of the Recirculating Aquaculture System, Fish Seed Rearing Unit and hostel extension added new infrastructure to the campus.
The felicitation of 39 alumni and recognition of student achievements further highlighted the college’s academic community. Meanwhile, the call for a separate fisheries university brought attention to the potential for expanding specialised education and research in the state.
As Tripura seeks to strengthen fish production and aquaculture, specialised institutions can play an important role in developing skills, supporting research and transferring knowledge to the fisheries sector. The Foundation Day programme consequently served as both an anniversary celebration and a reflection on the institution’s continuing role in fisheries education.
FAQs
What did College of Fisheries Lembucherra celebrate in 2026?
The College of Fisheries Lembucherra celebrated its 28th Foundation Day on October 3, 2026. The programme highlighted education, research, innovation, institutional development and alumni achievements.
When was the College of Fisheries at Lembucherra established?
The college began functioning on October 3, 1998, initially from the SIPARD campus in Agartala. It later shifted to its own campus at Lembucherra in 2001.
Which facilities were inaugurated during the Foundation Day?
The college inaugurated a Recirculating Aquaculture System, a Fish Seed Rearing Unit and an extension of the students’ hostel building.
How many alumni were felicitated during the event?
The college felicitated 39 distinguished alumni for their professional achievements and contributions during 2025–26.
Who secured All India Rank 1 in Fisheries Science?
S. Dinesh Singh secured All India Rank 1 in Fisheries Science in the ICAR AIEEA (PG)-2026 examination and received special recognition during the Foundation Day programme.