‘Dr’ Riva Arora flaunts her PhD degree at 19, internet wonders ‘how is that possible’

Social media influencer and Bollywood actress Riva Arora, widely recognized for her performances as a child artist in movies such as Bharat and Uri: The Surgical Strike, has recently been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) in Digital Influence & Women’s Empowerment at just 19 years old. She announced the news on social media, provoking varied responses.

Riva posted several pictures on Instagram, wearing a red convocation cap and gown while posing with her degree despite having an injured leg. She captioned the post, “It’s Dr. (H) Riva Arora now!!! Reaching this milestone is a dream come true, and I couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve achieved. Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) in Digital Influence & Women’s Empowerment—‘In Recognition of Exceptional Leadership in Digital Media, Inspiring Millions, and Pioneering Women’s Empowerment at a Remarkably Young Age.’”

She also expressed gratitude, saying, “I’m incredibly grateful for @keshvanandag and @sachingupta1208, who supported me along the way. Here’s to new adventures, continued learning, and embracing all the possibilities that lie ahead!”

While some internet users congratulated her, others questioned the legitimacy of the honorary degree. A critic remarked, “Seriously? They’re giving PhD degrees at this age? Because of followers, they’ve turned PhDs into a joke.” Another asked, “How did you get this degree… any logic?” A third user joked, “This is great! Got a degree without studying!” while another commented, “Age – 18 years, Degree – PhD. Nice joke.”

Riva has appeared in minor roles in movies like Uri: The Surgical Strike (featuring Vicky Kaushal), Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (featuring Janhvi Kapoor), Bharat (featuring Salman Khan), and Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (featuring Kangana Ranaut). She also featured in the web series Bandish Bandits.