The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with an area of 8,249 sq km, form the largest Union Territory in India. Located in the Bay of Bengal between 6° and 14° North Latitude and 92° and 94° East Longitude, this archipelago comprises 572 islands, islets, and rocks. It lies about 1,255 km from Kolkata and 1,190 km from Chennai, serving as a strategic maritime location.

The island chain is divided into two main groups: the Andaman group in the north and the Nicobar group in the south, separated by the Ten Degree Channel. The Andaman group includes North, Middle, and South Andaman, while Little Andaman is separated by the Duncan Passage. The Nicobar group consists of 7 large, 12 small, and numerous tiny islands, with Great Nicobar being the largest among them.