Key Points:
Prashant Kishor alleged Samrat Choudhary faked a D.Litt degree despite failing Class 10.
Choudhary denied the charges, citing a PFC course from Kamaraj University.
Kishor also accused Choudhary and JD(U)’s Ashok Choudhary of corruption and land scams.
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor raised questions about Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s claim of holding a Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) degree from California University, USA, without passing his Class 10 examination. During a press conference on September 19, 2025,
Kishor cited a Bihar School Examination Board affidavit stating Choudhary failed his Class 10 exam with 234 marks. Kishor urged the Election Commission of India to demand proof of Choudhary’s Class 10 certificate, questioning how he could obtain a D.Litt degree without meeting this educational prerequisite.
In October 2025, Choudhary appeared at the News 24 Conclave, where he was asked about Prashant Kishore’s allegations. He kept dodging questions regarding his educational qualifications. When journalist Garima Singh persisted with the query, Samrat Choudhary questioned the source of the information and clarified that he would only respond to questions from the host.
Choudhary stated, “I have mentioned the details in my affidavit — I have completed a PFC course from Kamaraj University.” He invited anyone with doubts to verify the details directly with Kamaraj University. When the discussion further shifted toward his educational qualifications, Choudhary quickly remarked that he had not come to listen but to speak.
See Also: Sanjay Jaiswal Threatens Rs 132.24 Crore Defamation Suit Against Prashant Kishor
Kishor also accused Choudhary of frequently changing his name, citing previous names such as Rakesh Kumar, Rakesh Kumar Maurya, and Samrat Kumar Maurya before adopting Samrat Choudhary.
Additionally, Kishor alleged that Choudhary was accused in a 1998 murder case but was released as a minor. At a press conference in Patna, the former poll strategist criticized leaders of the state’s NDA government ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.
In its affidavit, the Bihar School Examination Board told the court during the 1998 murder case hearing involving Samrat Choudhary that he had failed his class 10 exam, scoring only 234 marks. In his 2010 election affidavit, Choudhary stated that he had passed up to class 7.
Kishor said in his statement,“It's surprising that in his later election affidavits, Choudhary claimed he possesses a D.Litt degree. How can it happen without clearing the class 10 exams? The Election Commission must ask him to produce his class 10 (pass) certificate”.
He also targeted JD(U) national general secretary and Bihar’s rural works minister, Ashok Choudhary, alleging that he acquired land worth Rs 200 crore through questionable and illegal means over the past three years. He claimed that Ashok purchased the properties in the names of his daughter, a Lok Sabha MP, and his wife. [Rh/Eth/VS]
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