This ex-serviceman from Rajasthan has 138 degrees, 3 PhDs and 11 world records
From a small village school in Rajasthan to earning 138 degrees, diplomas and certificates, former Army serviceman Dashrath Singh has built one of India's most extraordinary education journeys. The 55-year-old now holds three PhDs, 11 world records, and continues studying even after retirement from military service.
Most people struggle to finish one college degree. Dashrath Singh Shekhawat has collected 138.
The former Indian Army serviceman from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district has become one of India’s most talked-about lifelong learners after earning an astonishing number of degrees, diplomas and certificates across subjects ranging from law and journalism to military studies and Vedic education.
At 55, he has also claimed 11 world records linked to education.
FROM VILLAGE SCHOOL TO 138 QUALIFICATIONS
Born in Khirod village in Rajasthan, Singh says education did not come easily to him.
"Despite no educational background in my family, I began my studies at a small village school," he said.
After Class 10, higher education looked almost impossible because of financial struggles. Like many young men from his region, he joined the Indian Army in 1988 and served for 16 years across Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and other locations before retiring in 2004.
But even during military service, he never stopped studying.
According to Singh, he used his annual leave to prepare for exams and continue his education. "I always felt my education was incomplete," he said.
3 PHDS, 46 POSTGRADUATE DEGREES
Over the years, Singh steadily built one qualification after another.
"I first obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree, followed by LLB, LLM, BJMC and BEd as a regular student," he explained, adding that he also studied through institutions like Indira Gandhi National Open University and Jain Vishva Bharati Institute.
His educational record now reportedly includes:
- 3 PhDs
- 7 undergraduate degrees
- 46 postgraduate degrees
- 23 diplomas
- 7 military studies degrees
- 52 certificates
His latest qualification came in 2026, when he completed a Master’s degree in Vedic Studies with distinction from IGNOU.
11 WORLD RECORDS AND A SECOND CAREER
Singh says his academic achievements have earned recognition from the India Book of Records, Asia Book of Records, Golden Book of World Records and International Book of Records.
But for him, education was never just about collecting certificates.
"After retirement, I felt the need to contribute to soldiers' welfare," he said.
That led him to pursue law and eventually work as a legal advisor at the Army’s Sapta Shakti Command, where he handles cases involving serving and retired military personnel.
At a time when many people see education as something that ends with college, Dashrath Singh’s story is turning into a reminder that learning can continue for an entire lifetime.
(With PTI inputs)
Most people struggle to finish one college degree. Dashrath Singh Shekhawat has collected 138.
The former Indian Army serviceman from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district has become one of India’s most talked-about lifelong learners after earning an astonishing number of degrees, diplomas and certificates across subjects ranging from law and journalism to military studies and Vedic education.
At 55, he has also claimed 11 world records linked to education.
FROM VILLAGE SCHOOL TO 138 QUALIFICATIONS
Born in Khirod village in Rajasthan, Singh says education did not come easily to him.
"Despite no educational background in my family, I began my studies at a small village school," he said.
After Class 10, higher education looked almost impossible because of financial struggles. Like many young men from his region, he joined the Indian Army in 1988 and served for 16 years across Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and other locations before retiring in 2004.
But even during military service, he never stopped studying.
According to Singh, he used his annual leave to prepare for exams and continue his education. "I always felt my education was incomplete," he said.
3 PHDS, 46 POSTGRADUATE DEGREES
Over the years, Singh steadily built one qualification after another.
"I first obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree, followed by LLB, LLM, BJMC and BEd as a regular student," he explained, adding that he also studied through institutions like Indira Gandhi National Open University and Jain Vishva Bharati Institute.
His educational record now reportedly includes:
- 3 PhDs
- 7 undergraduate degrees
- 46 postgraduate degrees
- 23 diplomas
- 7 military studies degrees
- 52 certificates
His latest qualification came in 2026, when he completed a Master’s degree in Vedic Studies with distinction from IGNOU.
11 WORLD RECORDS AND A SECOND CAREER
Singh says his academic achievements have earned recognition from the India Book of Records, Asia Book of Records, Golden Book of World Records and International Book of Records.
But for him, education was never just about collecting certificates.
"After retirement, I felt the need to contribute to soldiers' welfare," he said.
That led him to pursue law and eventually work as a legal advisor at the Army’s Sapta Shakti Command, where he handles cases involving serving and retired military personnel.
At a time when many people see education as something that ends with college, Dashrath Singh’s story is turning into a reminder that learning can continue for an entire lifetime.
(With PTI inputs)
