Nitin Gadkari: Emergency cost me engineering seat, gave me 7 world records
Synopsis
Nitin Gadkari's Emergency-era activism cost him his engineering dream — he scored 52% in matric and 49.26% in science, falling short of the cutoff. The same disruption, he argues, set him on a path to seven infrastructure world records. The revelation, made on Shekhar Suman's new YouTube talk show, offers a rare personal window into how India's Emergency shaped a generation of politicians.
Key Takeaways
Nitin Gadkari scored 52% in matriculation and 49.26% in science during the Emergency period (1975–77) , disqualifying him from engineering admission.
He attributed the poor scores to his active involvement in the movement against Indira Gandhi's Emergency .
Gadkari today holds seven world records , including multiple Guinness World Records , for infrastructure achievements in roads, tunnels, bridges, and expressways.
The disclosure was made on Shekhar Suman's new late-night YouTube show, Shekhar Tonite , which premiered on 15 May .
The show is created by Adhyayan Suman and produced by Dharmesh Sangani .
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has revealed that his active opposition to the Emergency of 1975–77 severely disrupted his studies, leaving him with 52% in his matriculation and 49.26% in science — scores that disqualified him from pursuing an engineering degree. The candid disclosure came during an appearance on actor-host Shekhar Suman's new late-night talk show, Shekhar Tonite, which premiered on 15 May on YouTube.
What Gadkari Said
Speaking with characteristic frankness, Gadkari traced the arc from academic setback to infrastructure milestone. 'Let me reveal something honestly… I've got the label of a 'Doctor,' but I am not that scholarly. Back in 1975, when I was in HSC, my sisters, my mother, my father, and everyone wanted me to become an engineer. And I got involved in working against the Emergency. The atmosphere at the time was extremely turbulent. Many people went to jail,' he said.
He added: 'It affected my studies badly. I scored 52% in matric and only 49.26% in science, because of which I was disqualified from getting admission into engineering. And today, I hold seven world records, related to roads, tunnels, bridges, highways, and expressways.'
The Emergency: A Brief Context
The Emergency was a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 during which the late former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency across India, citing internal and external threats. Civil liberties were suspended, the press was censored, and political opponents were jailed. Many young activists, including Gadkari, were drawn into the resistance movement at significant personal cost.
From Rejection to Seven World Records
The engineering door may have closed, but Gadkari's career trajectory took a different — and by his own account, more impactful — path. As Road Transport and Highways Minister, he has overseen infrastructure projects that have earned seven world records, including multiple Guinness World Records, spanning roads, tunnels, bridges, highways, and expressways. Notably, the minister's reflection reframes a personal setback as a pivot point rather than a failure.
About Shekhar Tonite
The show is created by Adhyayan Suman and produced by Dharmesh Sangani. Host Shekhar Suman has described his intent as giving voice to public questions directed at influential figures. 'I want to raise all those things. I have to represent people and ask politicians or actors their questions,' Suman said. He added that the show aims to confront power 'in a respectful way' — speaking frankly without descending into abuse. The premiere episode, featuring Gadkari, is now available on YouTube.
Gadkari's appearance sets an early tone for the show: unscripted, personal, and politically textured — a combination that could make Shekhar Tonite a platform worth watching as it finds its audience.
Point of View
At a time when the legacy of 1975 remains contested terrain. The seven-world-records coda is compelling, but the more durable story is what the Emergency did to young Indians who chose resistance over compliance — and how that shaped the republic they went on to build.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nitin Gadkari score low marks in his matriculation?
Nitin Gadkari scored 52% in matric and 49.26% in science because his studies were severely disrupted by his active involvement in the movement against the Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975. The political atmosphere was turbulent, with many activists being jailed.
Was Nitin Gadkari disqualified from engineering college?
Yes. Gadkari's scores of 52% in matric and 49.26% in science fell below the eligibility threshold for engineering admission, dashing what he described as his entire family's dream for him.
What world records does Nitin Gadkari hold?
Gadkari holds seven world records related to infrastructure, including multiple Guinness World Records, covering roads, tunnels, bridges, highways, and expressways — achievements from his tenure as Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways.
What is Shekhar Tonite and where can it be watched?
Shekhar Tonite is a new late-night talk show hosted by actor Shekhar Suman, created by Adhyayan Suman and produced by Dharmesh Sangani. It premiered on 15 May on YouTube. The show aims to ask public questions to influential figures from politics, entertainment, and public life.
What was India's Emergency of 1975–77?
The Emergency was a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 during which Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency across India, citing internal and external threats. Civil liberties were curtailed, the press was censored, and political opponents and activists were imprisoned.
