India (Commonwealth Union)_ For most of us, exams are something to finish and forget. But for Professor V.N. Parthiban from Chennai, it became a lifelong mission. Decades ago, after barely scraping through his first degree, he made a promise to his mother: he would never stop studying. That promise turned into an extraordinary journey that continues even today. Now 60, Parthiban has earned more than 150 degrees, from arts and law to business and science. His shelves are packed with certificates, each one representing another step in his quest for knowledge. Locals call him “The Repository of Degrees” or “The Walking Encyclopedia,” titles that fit perfectly with his academic record, which reads like an entire university catalog.
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Parthiban is believed to hold the world’s highest number of academic qualifications. Since 1981, he has been continuously enrolled in one program or another, all while balancing teaching, family life, and exams. He spends almost 90% of his salary on tuition fees, books, and exams. Currently, he serves as Associate Professor and Head of the Commerce Department at RKM Vivekananda College in Chennai, where he began teaching in 1982. His daily routine has hardly changed in decades. He wakes up at 5 am, studies until late at night, and often spends Sundays preparing for exams or research. His only real break is listening to Kannadasan’s songs every Sunday evening. “I really enjoy studying. It’s never been difficult for me,” he once told the media.
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Parthiban’s list of qualifications is remarkable: 13 MAs, 8 MComs, 4 MScs, 13 LLMs, 12 MPhils, 14 MBAs, 20 professional courses, and several diplomas. He also holds degrees in economics, public administration, political science, and law, and is still pursuing a PhD in Management and a Master’s in Corporate Law. Years of study have affected his memory, but not his spirit. His wife, M. Selvakumari, who holds nine degrees herself, supports him wholeheartedly. For Parthiban, every certificate is more than an achievement; it’s a promise kept and a lifelong love for learning fulfilled.
