Gujarat babu rules record books with 19 PG degrees

AHMEDABAD: When exams end, life begins for most examinees: they get rid of memory tonics, stop obsessing about lucky pens, and quit worrying in general. But here is a man who can't get enough of the examination buzz.

Such is his enthusiasm for being tested that he has found a place in record books for being a public servant with the highest number of postgraduate degrees.
Anil Yadav, a 50-year-old Gujarat government official, has been collecting degrees like a prodigious thermometer. He has been taking postgraduate examinations for the past 23 years, since 1995. “I want to maintain this momentum till I can,” he said. “I have travelled across India to take these examinations — from Guwahati in Assam to Bardoliin Gujarat, and from Kurukshetra in Haryana to Madurai in Tamil Nadu.”


Yadav was awarded the university gold medal in 2010 by Jadavpur University for obtaining first class first in MA (environment and development) examination. Yadav has five PG degrees from Ignou, four from Annamalai University, and two each from University of Madras and Gauhati University. Yadav began hiscareer as a highschool teacher in Gangtok, Sikkim.

“Initially, I just wanted an MA degree for the sake of getting a postgraduate qualification,” Yadav said. “Gradually, clearing exams became a passion. I felt a sense of achievement.Young studentssmile at me when I enter examination halls. Some mistake metobe a professor or an invigilator.” He said his job as a teacher spurred his academic passion.

“But the essential motivation istohelp studentsin their academic pursuits,” he said. “I also volunteer as academic counsellor for various Ignou programmes.”

Anil Yadav, a 50-year-old Gujarat government official, has been collecting degrees like a prodigious thermometer. He has been taking postgraduate examinations for the past 23 years, since 1995. “I want to maintain this momentum till I can,” he said. “I have travelled across India to take these examinations — from Guwahati in Assam toBardoliin Gujarat, and from Kurukshetra in Haryana to Madurai in Tamil Nadu.”

Yadav was awarded the university gold medal in 2010 by Jadavpur University for obtaining first class first in MA (environment and development) examination. Yadav has five PG degrees from Ignou, four from Annamalai University, and two each from University of Madras and Gauhati University. Yadav began hiscareer as a highschool teacher in Gangtok, Sikkim.

“Initially, I just wanted an MA degree for the sake of getting a postgraduate qualification,” Yadav said. “Gradually, clearing exams became a passion. I felt a sense of achievement.Young studentssmile at me when I enter examination halls. Some mistake metobe a professor or an invigilator.” He said his job as a teacher spurred his academic passion.

“But the essential motivation istohelp studentsin their academic pursuits,” he said. “I also volunteer as academic counsellor for various Ignou programmes.”

Yadav has travelled across India to take examinations — from Guwahati in Assam to Bardoli in Gujarat, and from Kurukshetra in Haryana to Madurai in Tamil Nadu.