The university is a collegiate university with its jurisdiction spread over the Union Territory of Puducherry located in Tamil Nadu (Pondicherry and Karaikal), Kerala (Mahé) and Andhra Pradesh (Yanam), and Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The residents speak diverse languages such as English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Assamese, Kannada and French.

Local skill sets are advanced through several vocational programs such as paramedical courses using the on-site hospital facilities.

[3][4] Pondicherry University is located on a campus spread over around 1,000 acres (400 ha), facing the Bay of Bengal on the East Coast Road.

Their major aim is to uplift the children at "Snehalayam" (a standalone orphanage near the Pondicherry University campus) by helping them in academics as well as their necessities.

"INSPIRE" is the annual event that aims at promotion as well as fundraising for PU SHARE activities.

One of the first Campus Pride events in India was organized successfully in 2018 at Pondicherry University by SPECTRA.

It conducts field trips, screens documentaries, organize debates, quizzes, treasure hunts, and others.

Puduvai Vaani, the community radio station (CRS) established by Pondicherry University with the support of UGC located in National Capital Territory of Delhi, India.

It works under FM 107.8 MHz a frequency, which is currently extended to a catchments area of 20 km (12 mi) radius from the university campus.

The test transmission of Puduvai Vaani – Community Radio Station was started on 23 August 2008.

It was inaugurated by Shri V. Narayanasamy, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Planning & Parliamentary Affairs on 27 December 2008 in the presence of Shri P.Chidambaram, Hon’ble Union Home Minister.

Dr. C Rangarajan, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, delivered the keynote address.

Lieutenant governor of Puducherry, Iqbal Singh, who was the Chief Rector of the university, was present at the function.