A six-year-old boy from Shimla has earned national recognition for a geography feat that most adults would find difficult. Shivaksh Rapta, a student of Auckland House School for Boys, has been named an "IBR Achiever" by the India Book of Records.
Shivaksh identified, named, and located all 195 UN-recognised countries on an outlined world map in just 12 minutes and 56 seconds. The achievement has brought attention to the young student's memory and interest in geography.
What Shivaksh Rapta Achieved on the World Map
The task required Shivaksh to look at an outlined world map and correctly identify every UN-recognised country, name it, and point to its location. He completed the full set of 195 countries in 12 minutes and 56 seconds, which earned him the "IBR Achiever" title from the India Book of Records.
School Principal Reuben T John congratulated Shivaksh on the accomplishment. He said the achievement reflects the boy's exceptional memory, sharp observation, and deep passion for geography.
"At just six, his exceptional memory, curiosity, discipline and passion for learning are truly remarkable. His accomplishment demonstrates what young minds can achieve when curiosity is encouraged and talent is nurtured. We congratulate Shivaksh and his family wholeheartedly, and wish him many more milestones." — Reuben T John, Principal, Auckland House School for Boys
Why This India Book of Records Feat Matters for Young Learners
The recognition places Shivaksh among children officially acknowledged by the India Book of Records for extraordinary achievements. His feat is not just about memorising names — it involves recognising country shapes, remembering their positions on a map, and recalling all of them under time pressure.
- Shivaksh is a student of Auckland House School for Boys in Shimla.
- He identified all 195 UN-recognised countries on an outlined world map.
- He completed the task in 12 minutes and 56 seconds.
- The India Book of Records named him an "IBR Achiever."
The school principal credited Shivaksh's discipline and curiosity for the result, and noted that encouragement and nurturing of talent play a big role in what young children can accomplish.
Our Take: A Small Boy, a Big Map, and a Lesson for Parents
To put it plainly, this story is not just about a record. It is about what happens when a child's natural curiosity is taken seriously. Shivaksh is six. At that age, most children are still learning to read simple words. He has memorised the location of every country on the planet.
In our view, the real credit goes to two things — the boy's own interest in geography and the environment around him that allowed that interest to grow. The principal's words make this clear: curiosity, when encouraged, produces results that surprise everyone.
For parents reading this, the message is simple. If your child shows a strong interest in something — maps, numbers, music, anything — do not treat it as a small hobby. Give it room. Shivaksh's record is proof that young minds can go much further than we expect when someone believes in them.
We congratulate Shivaksh and his family. This is a proud moment for Shimla, for his school, and for every child who is told they are too young to do something big.