A widespread claim suggests that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar earned 32 degrees, popularly known as the “32 Degrees of Ambedkar.” But is this fact or fiction? Let’s uncover the truth.
32 Degrees of Ambedkar : The Claim
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was the only personality in Indian history who mastered various fields such as law, economics, sociology, political science, and education. As a result, many claims are made about his education. One of the most popular claims is – “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar obtained 32 degrees.”
Is this claim true or false? What is its background? And who first made this claim? This article provides detailed answers to these questions. Read the article carefully and Know the Truth!
Did Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Earn 32 Degrees?
To answer briefly – No!
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar did not obtain 32 degrees. That is, if we consider “32 degrees” as academic degrees. Babasaheb received many honorary titles and recognitions, but the claim that he earned 32 academic degrees is completely false.
Who First Made the 32 Degrees Claim?
This claim was first propagated by me, Sandesh Hiwale, in 2016.
I am the author of DhammaBharat.com, as well as an editor and administrator of Marathi Wikipedia. Before 2016, there is no mention of “Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar obtained 32 degrees” anywhere on the internet or other sources.
The Origins of This Claim
In 2013-14, I attended a lecture event in Ambad (Jalna district, Maharashtra). At that time, I was just 18-19 years old.
The keynote speaker at the event asked a question:
“Can anyone tell how many degrees Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar obtained in total?”
As the audience did not give a correct answer, he himself stated:
“Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar obtained a total of 32 degrees!”
However, this speaker did not provide the names of those 32 degrees. He was referring to academic degrees, not honorary titles or recognitions. At that time, I believed this claim to be true and started propagating it.
Where Did I Promote the 32 Degrees Claim?
I spread this claim through four major platforms:
- WhatsApp – Shared in various groups.
- Marathi Wikipedia – Added the 32-degree mention on July 23, 2016. (see)
- Hindi Wikipedia – Added the same mention on July 30, 2016. (see)
Through these mediums, the claim of 32 degrees reached a large audience.
For reference, please check my May 29, 2016 Facebook post about “55 Interesting Facts About Ambedkar” in Hindi, specifically Fact No. 38. (click here)
Also check my September 19, 2016 Facebook post about “100 Interesting Facts About Ambedkar” in Hindi, specifically Fact No. 38. (click here)
The Misconception of “Doctor All Science” degree!
In my post on ‘55 Facts about Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’ in Hindi, a typing mistake led to “Doctor of Science” (“डॉक्टर ऑफ सायन्स”) being incorrectly written as “Doctor All Science” (“डॉक्टर ऑल सायन्स”). In reality, no such degree as “Doctor All Science” (or Doctor of All Science) exists.
However, many people have mistakenly referenced this term multiple times, leading to the widespread misconception that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar did obtain a “Doctor [of] All Science” degree.
For reference, please check my May 29, 2016 Facebook post about “55 Interesting Facts About Ambedkar” in Hindi, specifically Fact No. 26. (click here)
Why Is the 32 Degrees Claim False?
After conducting further research, I realized that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar did not obtain 32 degrees.
Facts That Prove This Claim False:
- No official or reliable sources mention 32 degrees of Ambedkar.
- Ambedkar’s biographies (by Khairmode, Keer, B.C. Kamble) did not mention 32 degrees.
- The speaker at the event did not provide any evidence either.
This made me realize that the claim was completely baseless.
I Corrected My Mistake!
- I did not share this claim again on Facebook and WhatsApp.
- I removed the mention of 32 degrees from Marathi and Hindi Wikipedia.
Then, How Many Degrees Did Dr. Ambedkar Actually Earn?
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar earned 8 or 9 academic degrees.
List of Degrees Earned by Babasaheb:
| No. | Degree | University | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
B.A. (Economics & Political science) |
University of Mumbai, India | 1912 |
| 2 |
M.A. (Economics) |
Columbia University, USA | 1915 |
| 3 |
M.A. (Economics) |
Columbia University, USA | 1916 |
| 4 |
Ph.D. (Economics) |
Columbia University, USA | 1917 |
| 5 |
M.Sc. (Economics) |
London School of Economics, UK | 1921 |
| 6 |
D.Sc. (Economics) |
London School of Economics, UK | 1923 |
| 7 |
Bar-at-Law (Law) |
Gray’s Inn, London, UK | 1923 |
| 8 |
LL.D. (Honorary) |
Columbia University, USA | 1952 |
| 9 |
D.Litt. (Honorary) |
Osmania University, India | 1953 |
The Double M.A. Issue:
- In Jabbar Patel’s film “Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar,” there is a scene mentioning two M.A. degrees. (watch the scene: 13:50 to 14:10)
- Some scholars believe he earned only one M.A.
- Therefore, his number of academic degrees is considered 8 or 9.
Conclusion – Understand the Truth!
✅ Truth:
- Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar earned 8 or 9 degrees.
- He had B.A., M.A., Ph.D., M.Sc., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law, LL.D., and D.Litt. degrees.
- His scholarship and knowledge were extraordinary.
❌ Misinformation:
- “Babasaheb earned 32 degrees” is a false claim.
- This claim spread due to incorrect information from me.
- Now, the truth is clear.
Final Thoughts – Ambedkar Is the Symbol of Knowledge!
Although Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar did not earn 32 degrees, his scholarship and intellectual capacity were unmatched in the world. His intellectual achievements and originality have made Ambedkar synonymous with Knowledge.
Recognized as the most educated Indian of his time, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was not limited to his era; he remains one of the greatest intellectuals of all time.
Ambedkar is widely regarded as the most intelligent Indian of all time. Calling him a “symbol of knowledge” is not an exaggeration.
Dr. Ambedkar’s true achievements lie not in numbers but in the impact of his education and reform work. Rather than focusing on an exaggerated degree count, we should celebrate his immense contributions to society.”
According to a BBC report:
“Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was the most educated politician in the world during his time!”
Even today, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is a symbol of knowledge and intelligence. The best way to honor him is to promote his thoughts with factual accuracy.
For Readers:
Did this article clarify the 32-degree myth for you? Share your thoughts in the comments or email us your questions! Thank you!
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