Shashi Tharoor Conferred Honorary D.Litt by St Xavier’s University, Kolkata

Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) degree by St Xavier’s University, Kolkata during its seventh convocation ceremony on 21 February 2026. Tharoor described the honour as his first honorary doctorate in India, calling it deeply special as a former Xaverian. The ceremony was held at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town, where over 1,000 students received degrees.

Shashi Tharoor Awarded Honorary D.Litt by St Xavier’s University

• At the seventh convocation of St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, Shashi Tharoor was awarded the Doctorate of Literature (Honoris Causa).
• He said he was “incredibly honoured and humbled” and noted that seven years ago he had served as the university’s first convocation speaker.
• He remarked that although he had earned one doctorate academically and received honorary degrees abroad, this was his first honorary doctorate in India, making it particularly meaningful.

Convocation Highlights

The event saw,

• 1,052 undergraduate and postgraduate students awarded degrees
• 25 PhD scholars felicitated
• 17 gold medallists honoured

Tharoor expressed happiness that most of the gold medallists were women, praising the strides made by women in academics.

Tharoor’s Message to Students

The Thiruvananthapuram MP emphasized that education should go beyond information to formation, and beyond competence to conscience. He urged students to combine skill with sensitivity and success with service.

Reflecting on his Jesuit education, he highlighted values such as,

• Intellectual curiosity
• Mental rigour
• Respect for hard work
• Self-discipline

Willingness to question within a moral framework

He stressed that India’s future will be shaped not by slogans but by responsible citizens committed to civic duty.

Why This Recognition Is Special

• Shashi Tharoor studied at St Xavier’s Collegiate School in Kolkata between 1969 and 1971.
• Receiving the honorary D.Litt from St Xavier’s University therefore holds emotional significance for him.
• A four-term MP since 2009, Tharoor is widely known for his diplomatic career at the United Nations, his literary works, and his contributions to public discourse in India.

Static GK

• Award: Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) – Honoris Causa
• Awarded To: Shashi Tharoor
• Institution: St Xavier’s University, Kolkata
• Event: 7th Convocation Ceremony
• Date: 21 February 2026
• Venue: Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, New Town
• Constituency: Thiruvananthapuram

Question

Q. Shashi Tharoor was conferred an honorary D.Litt by which institution?

A) Jadavpur University
B) Presidency University
C) St Xavier’s University, Kolkata
D) Calcutta University