32 Degrees of Dr BR Ambedkar: On April 14th, India observes ‘Ambedkar Jayanti’; this day marks the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar—one of the nation’s most distinguished social reformers, economists, and thinkers. Dr. Ambedkar’s far-reaching contributions to Indian society—particularly his vocal advocacy for establishing the rights of marginalized communities—continue to inspire generations to this day.
He was not merely a political leader, but a figure of extraordinary intellect and scholarly stature; his academic journey spanned multiple continents and disciplines. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable; ranging from law and economics to political science and sociology, he earned a remarkable 32 degrees across such diverse fields.
The Viral Claim About “32 Degrees” — What’s Going Around?
A widely shared image on social media claims that Dr. B. R. Ambedkar earned 32 academic degrees across subjects like economics, sociology, law, psychology, mathematics, and more.
At first glance, it looks impressive and believable. Ambedkar was undoubtedly one of the most educated leaders of his time. But the list shown in the image is not accurate.
The Viral “32 Degrees” List of Dr BR Ambedkar
A widely circulated image on social media claims that Dr. B. R. Ambedkar held 32 academic degrees across multiple disciplines. The list is often shared to highlight his intellectual brilliance.
Below is the complete list exactly as presented in the viral image:
Full List of 32 Degrees
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A)
- Master of Arts (M.A)
- Master of Science (M.Sc)
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)
- Doctor of Science (D.Sc)
- Doctor of Laws (LL.D)
- Doctor of Literature (D.Litt)
- Barrister-at-Law
- Master of Laws (LL.M)
- M.A in Economics
- M.Sc in Economics
- M.A in Sociology
- M.Sc in Sociology
- M.A in History
- M.A in Philosophy
- M.A in Politics
- M.A in Anthropology
- M.A in Psychology
- M.A in English Literature
- M.A in German
- M.A in Public Administration
- M.A in Mathematics
- M.A in Linguistics
- M.A in Comparative Religion
- M.A in Labour Economics
- M.A in Law & Justice
- M.A in International Law
- M.A in Sociology of Religion
- M.A in International Economics
- M.A in Political Science
- M.A in Economics of Industry
What Dr BR Ambedkar Actually Studied
Dr. Ambedkar’s academic journey is extraordinary, but it is often exaggerated online. His verified degrees and qualifications include:
- B.A. – University of Bombay
- M.A. (Economics) – Columbia University
- Ph.D. (Economics) – Columbia University
- D.Sc. (Economics) – London School of Economics
- Bar-at-Law – Gray’s Inn
- LL.D. (Honorary) – Columbia University
- D.Litt. (Honorary) – Osmania University
These alone place him among the most highly educated Indian leaders in history.
32 Degrees of Dr BR Ambedkar: Why the “32 Degrees” List Is Misleading
The viral image mixes actual degrees, honorary titles, and completely incorrect claims. For example:
- It lists multiple M.A. and M.Sc. degrees in different subjects — there is no historical evidence that Ambedkar completed all of these.
- Some subjects mentioned (like multiple parallel postgraduate degrees) are academically unrealistic, especially for that era.
- It repeats similar fields under different names, inflating the total count.
In reality, Ambedkar specialized deeply in economics, law, and political science, not dozens of unrelated disciplines.
The Real Achievement Is Even More Impressive
Focusing on a fake number actually takes away from what makes Ambedkar exceptional:
- He studied at top global institutions during a time when access for Indians, especially from marginalized communities, was extremely limited.
- His research in economics and public finance was globally recognized.
- He became the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, shaping modern India.
His influence came not from the quantity of degrees, but from the depth of knowledge and application.
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32 Degrees of Dr BR Ambedkar: Why Do Such Myths Go Viral
There are a few reasons why posts like this spread quickly:
- People want to celebrate iconic figures, sometimes by exaggerating their achievements
- Social media rewards sensational numbers over accuracy
- Lack of fact-checking before sharing
But over time, these myths distort history.
Know More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._R._Ambedkar
