Assam University Confers Honorary D.Litt. On IPS Partha Sarathi Mahanta at 23rd Convocation

Senior IPS officer Partha Sarathi Mahanta was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree by Assam University during its 23rd Convocation, being held from January 19 to 21 at Silchar. The honour was conferred in recognition of his outstanding service to society and his contribution beyond policing.

Mahanta, a 1999-batch IPS officer and the Commissioner of Police of Guwahati, received the honorary degree for his reform-oriented and people-centric approach to policing, along with his creative work in filmmaking and direction that highlights social issues and human values. He is believed to be the first police officer in Assam to receive an honorary D.Litt. from Assam University, Silchar.

Expressing his gratitude, Mahanta said, “Assam University has given me this honour and I accept it with my whole heart. I am involved in social work, and it is not only the responsibility of full-time social workers. If we do our own work with honesty, that itself is a great service to society, and for a police officer, this responsibility is even more important.”

He further added that such recognition is never an individual achievement. “When a police officer receives an award or honour, whether from the department, the government or an educational institution, it does not belong to one officer alone. It belongs to the entire team. No policeman is a superman. We cannot do our work alone, and we always need the support of our team,” he said.

Born in the historic town of Sivasagar, Mahanta currently also serves as the Inspector General of Police, Special Task Force (STF), Assam. Over the years, he has earned national recognition for effective crime control, maintaining law and order, and strengthening police–public relations. His efforts to build trust between the police and the public have been widely appreciated.

The degree was formally conferred by Swami Atmapriyanandaji, Pro-Chancellor of the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Belur Math. The ceremony was held in the presence of Assam University Chancellor Arup Raha and Vice-Chancellor Rajive Mohan Pant, along with other dignitaries and guests.

The 23rd Convocation of Assam University is a major academic event for the Barak Valley, with a total of 13,666 students being conferred degrees over the three-day programme. Apart from Mahanta, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra is also being honoured with an honorary D.Litt. degree at this convocation.

Mahanta’s recognition reflects not only his professional achievements but also his commitment to social values and public service. For students and residents of the Barak Valley, his journey stands as an inspiring example of how dedication, empathy and creativity can together make a lasting impact on society.