Coal India Executive, 68, Enrolls in Psychology Degree

Most people slow down after one retirement, but Dr. Ashok Kumar is just getting started on his third career at 68.

The former Coal India Limited General Manager recently enrolled as a student in Ranchi University's postgraduate psychology program. He sits alongside students young enough to be his grandchildren, asking questions and taking notes like any other eager learner.

Kumar's academic journey already spans decades and disciplines. He holds a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Jaipur, an MTech in Industrial Engineering from the Indian School of Mines, and a PhD in Engineering.

After retiring from Coal India in 2018, he didn't buy a fishing rod or book a cruise. Instead, he joined JP Group as vice president, later serving as an adviser until his second retirement in October 2025.

Even with all those credentials and two retirements under his belt, Kumar wanted something more. "Engineering taught me to understand machines," he explained to Dainik Jagran. "Now, I want to understand people through psychology. Learning never ends."

His presence on campus has caught the attention of faculty members. Dr. Parvez Hasan, head of the psychology department, says he rarely encounters a student who has achieved so much yet remains so hungry to learn more.

Kumar attends every class and actively engages with his professors. His frequent questions demonstrate genuine curiosity, not just going through the motions.

Why This Inspires

In a world that often treats retirement as an ending, Kumar shows it can be a beginning. He's challenging the assumption that education belongs only to the young or that professional success means you've learned enough.

His story matters beyond one person's choices. Ranchi University serves 160,000 students across 66 colleges, and Kumar's presence reminds every single one that their learning journey doesn't have to stop at graduation.

At 68, with two successful careers behind him, Kumar is proving that the best time to start learning something new is whenever you feel that spark of curiosity.