Ludhiana, June 16 -- As campaigning intensifies ahead of the Ludhiana West byelection on June 19, the academic attainment of the 14 candidates in the fray reveal a telling divide, ranging from a master's degree in engineering to a candidate with no formal education.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) data, only one candidate holds a postgraduate degree, five are graduates, two have legal qualifications, one holds a civil engineering degree while the remaining include school passouts, a diploma holder, and one illiterate candidate.

Topping the academic chart is an independent candidate, Baldev Raj Katna Debu, who holds a master's degree in electrical engineering from GNE College, making him the most academically qualifie...