The District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has a significant history, beginning as a Teacher Training School in August 1958 at the Government Boys’ High School campus in Port Blair. Initially, 20 in-service teachers were engaged as both trainees and trainers. In 1975, the institution was renamed the Teacher Training Institute to reflect its evolving role in the educational landscape of the region.
In the early 1990s, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Department of Education, introduced a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to establish DIETs across states and Union Territories. In response, the UT Administration proposed the conversion of the Teacher Training Institute into a DIET to cater to the region's entire educational needs.
On 3rd March 1993, the Government of India approved the proposal to upgrade the Teacher Training Institute into a DIET, providing funding for the construction of a new building, hostels for male and female trainees, staff quarters, and other essential infrastructure. A site measuring 7.5 acres in Garacharama village, 10 km from Port Blair, was allocated by the UT Administration. The establishment of this modern DIET marked a crucial step towards enhancing the quality of elementary education in the Union Territory.
The DIET is envisioned as the central institution responsible for enhancing educational standards and teacher training at the district level. In alignment with the Teacher Education Scheme, the DIET of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is equipped with seven specialized wings:
- Pre-Service Teacher Education (PSTE)
- In-Service Programme, Field Interaction, and Innovative Coordination Branch (IFIC)
- District Resource Unit (DRU)
- Planning and Management (P&M)
- Education Technology (ET)
- Work Experience (WE)
- Curriculum Management and Administration (ADMN)
These wings collectively strengthen DIET's capacity to improve the quality of education and teacher training, contributing to the advancement of elementary education in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The institution continues to serve as a key catalyst for educational reforms and professional development within the region.