Parthasarathi Mahanta becomes first serving IPS officer in India to receive D.Litt. from Assam University

Guwahati Commissioner of Police and Inspector General of Police (STF) Parthasarathi Mahanta has created history by becoming the first serving Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in the country to be conferred with a Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree, bringing rare national recognition to Assam.

Assam University, Silchar, awarded the prestigious degree to Mahanta on January 19 during its convocation ceremony, marking an exceptional academic honour for an officer currently in government service. The event saw nearly 13,600 students and research scholars receiving degrees across various disciplines.

The D.Litt. degree was presented by Swami Atmapriyananda Ji, Pro-Chancellor of the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Institute of Education and Research, Belur Math, West Bengal, in the presence of Assam University Chancellor and former Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, and Vice-Chancellor Rajeev Mohan Pant.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Mahanta said he felt deeply honoured by the recognition and described it as an acknowledgement of his service to society. Reflecting on the broader meaning of education, he emphasised that education goes beyond formal qualifications.

“A degree does not necessarily define education. Without values, education has no real meaning,” Mahanta said, adding that true education must be rooted in strong moral and ethical foundations. He underlined the need for education to nurture values that guide individuals towards responsible citizenship and service to society.