While most people spend years earning one or two degrees, Dashrath Singh Shekhawat, a former Indian Army serviceman from Rajasthan, has built an academic record that few can imagine, amassing an astonishing 138 degrees, diplomas, and certificates over the years. The 55-year-old, who hails from Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, recently added yet another qualification to his remarkable list after earning a Master’s degree in Vedic Studies with distinction from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) at its latest convocation. (Image: PTI)
Singh claims his extraordinary educational journey has helped him secure 11 world records, with recognitions from the India Book of Records, Golden Book of World Records, Asia Book of Records, and International Book of Records, all in the field of education. (Image: International Book of Records)
Despite his incredible academic achievements today, Singh says his journey began under far more modest circumstances. “Despite no educational background in my family, I began my studies at a small village school. After completing Class 10 from a government school, pursuing college education seemed like a distant dream due to financial constraints,” says Singh. Born in Khirod village of Nawalgarh tehsil, an area known for producing many army recruits, Singh joined the Indian Army in 1988. He served as a non-commissioned officer for 16 years, stationed across Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and other locations before retiring in 2004. (Image: International Book of Records)
Coming from a farming family, Singh says he always felt there was something missing in his life despite serving in the armed forces. He explains that he often felt his education was “incomplete”, a thought that motivated him to continue learning even during his years in military service. Determined not to let his circumstances stop him, Singh used his annual two-month leave from the Army to focus on his studies. After retirement, he fully committed himself to his academic passion. (Image: International Book of Records)
Over the years, Singh steadily added degree after degree to his name, studying across a wide range of subjects and disciplines. “I first obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree, followed by LLB, LLM, BJMC and B.Ed as a regular student, while pursuing other qualifications through IGNOU, Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, and private universities,” shares Singh. His educational portfolio now includes three PhDs, seven undergraduate degrees, 46 postgraduate degrees, 23 diplomas, seven military studies degrees, and 52 certificates. His academic interests span everything from law and commerce to journalism, military studies, and Vedic knowledge. (Image: International Book of Records)
For Singh, however, the pursuit of education has not been solely about collecting qualifications or setting records. After retiring from the Army, he decided to channel his knowledge into helping fellow servicemen and veterans. “After retirement, I felt the need to contribute to soldiers’ welfare. I pursued a law degree and began practising,” explains Singh. Today, he works as a legal advisor at the Army’s Sapta Shakti Command, where he handles legal matters related to serving and retired military personnel. (Image: International Book of Records)
