Introduction
Honorary doctorates are unique academic awards—they celebrate achievement without demanding academic credentials. But what exactly do universities look for when choosing someone to honour? Some recipients are professors or researchers, while others are artists, entrepreneurs, or social activists. This leads to an important distinction: What are the academic and non-academic criteria used for honorary doctorate recognition? In this blog, we explore how Indian and global institutions decide who deserves this rare honour, and how different kinds of contributions are evaluated.
Academic Criteria: Scholarship Without a Thesis
While honorary degrees do not require formal study or submission of a thesis, universities often choose recipients who have made extraordinary academic or intellectual contributions. These individuals may not hold traditional PhDs, but they are recognised for shaping knowledge, influencing thought, or transforming education.
Typical academic criteria include:
- Path-breaking research or inventions (even outside formal academia)
- Lifetime contribution to a field of study, like history, mathematics, or law
- Publishing widely respected books or papers that influence education
- Founding or transforming educational institutions
- Mentorship of generations of scholars or thinkers
For instance, a science educator who made quantum physics accessible to rural schools might be honoured—even without holding a PhD.
Universities often see these academic contributions as aligned with their mission of advancing knowledge, even if it comes from outside their classrooms.
Non-Academic Criteria: Social, Cultural, and Civic Impact
A large number of honorary doctorates in India are awarded based on non-academic impact. These honours recognise real-world achievements that improve lives, shape culture, or bring attention to critical issues.
Key non-academic criteria include:
- Public service: Transformational work in rural development, women’s empowerment, or policy reform
- Art and culture: Lifetime achievements in music, dance, literature, theatre, or cinema
- Social work: Working with disadvantaged communities, marginalised groups, or disaster relief
- Entrepreneurship and innovation: Building ethical enterprises that solve social problems
- Spiritual or moral leadership: Guiding communities through non-material contributions
These recipients may not have published academic papers or taught in universities, but their actions speak louder than academic citations.
For example, a grassroots environmental activist or a folk musician preserving endangered traditions might receive a doctorate for their enduring social and cultural legacy.
How Institutions Balance Both Criteria
Indian universities often maintain a balance between academic excellence and societal relevance when selecting honorary doctorate recipients. Some years may focus more on public figures; others may return to intellectual contributors.
Factors influencing the choice include:
- The university’s disciplinary focus (e.g., a technical institute may prefer scientists or engineers)
- Cultural or regional affiliations (e.g., honouring a local language poet)
- The values the university wants to promote (e.g., sustainability, inclusion, innovation)
- Ongoing national or institutional anniversaries or themes
Importantly, both academic and non-academic criteria are treated with seriousness—honour is given where impact is undeniable.
Avoiding Tokenism or Popularity Bias
Honorary doctorates can become controversial when awarded based on:
- Temporary popularity or celebrity status
- Political proximity or influence
- Commercial arrangements or sponsorships
To avoid this, responsible institutions:
- Conduct internal evaluations and background checks
- Require approval by academic councils or governing bodies
- Keep the number of honorary degrees limited each year
- Ensure diversity in recipients, reflecting India’s pluralistic ethos
The goal is not just to honour a person, but to reflect the institution’s values through the person being honoured.
Conclusion
The decision to award an honorary doctorate is more than ceremonial—it is a statement of what a university believes deserves recognition. Whether academic or non-academic, the core criterion remains the same: lasting, positive, and publicly valuable impact.
In India’s complex and vibrant landscape, honouring a rural health worker can be just as powerful as recognising a literary scholar. Both change lives. Both inspire learning. And both remind us that wisdom has many forms.