42 Exams, 20 Degrees, One Purpose: The Life of Dr. Shrikant Jichkar
Dr. Shrikant Jichkar, known as India’s “walking university,” earned nearly 20 degrees. His life of learning, public service, and family values continues to inspire generations.
Dr. Shrikant Jichkar, born on 14 September 1954 in Katol, Maharashtra, remains one of India’s most inspiring figures of learning. From childhood, he showed extraordinary intelligence and curiosity, never limiting himself to one field. His academic journey began with medicine, where he completed MBBS and MD, becoming a doctor. But for him, this was only the beginning.
Driven by a hunger for knowledge, he studied law, earning LL.B. and LL.M., followed by management degrees like MBA and DBM. He went on to complete multiple M.A. degrees in Sanskrit, economics, sociology, psychology, political science, history, and literature. He also earned a Bachelor of Journalism and a Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) in Sanskrit. In total, he achieved nearly 20 academic degrees, making him known as a “walking university.”
Between 1973 and 1990, Dr. Jichkar appeared for around 42 university examinations. Alongside academics, he cleared the UPSC exam, joining both IPS and IAS before resigning to serve society in broader ways. He later entered politics in Maharashtra, serving as MLA and MLC, and worked actively in education and social welfare.
Beyond his public life, Dr. Jichkar was a family man. He married Rajashri Jichkar in 1989, and together they raised two children. He loved books, maintaining a vast personal library, and was deeply interested in arts, theatre, writing, and photography. Tragically, his life ended in a road accident near Nagpur on 2 June 2004 at the age of 49. His legacy continues to inspire students, educators, and society at large.
