Onward to Oxford: Four Indian Americans Among 2026 Rhodes Scholars, Representing Academia, Public Service, and Innovation
Four Indian American students have been named among the 32 American recipients of the prestigious 2026 Rhodes Scholarships, bringing recognition to a new generation of leaders committed to tackling challenges ranging from rural economic development to aerospace engineering and public health.
Aruna B. Balasubramanian from Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania; Shubham Bansal from Mukilteo, Washington; Anil A.S. Cacodcar from Lafayette, Louisiana; and Anirvin Puttur from Gilbert, Arizona were selected from a pool of 965 candidates nominated by their colleges and universities, the Rhodes Trust announced on November 16, 2025.
The Rhodes Scholarship, established at Oxford University in 1903 and named after Cecil John Rhodes, provides comprehensive funding valued at approximately $75,000 annually for two to three years of graduate study, with total support reaching up to $250,000 depending on program length and field of study. The program has produced more than 8,000 alumni who have pursued careers in government, education, the arts, and social justice.
Aruna Balasubramanian: Bridging Art, History, and Rural Development
Aruna Balasubramanian, a senior at Yale University, is completing double majors in anthropology and history. Her senior thesis examines how the arts can play a role in rural development, focusing specifically on a Japanese fishing village that has developed a system of art galleries to help boost the local economy.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Balasubramanian, 21, attended the French International School and Harriton High School, where her early teachers ignited her love of art. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of the country’s first digital humanities journal for undergraduates and has published multiple peer-reviewed articles, according to American Bazaar.
Yale News noted that Balasubramanian also serves as a trainee and guide at the Yale Center for British Art museum. At Oxford, she will pursue an MPhil in Global and Area Studies.
Speaking to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Balasubramanian offered advice to aspiring scholars: “Though it can be really demoralizing, people should just continue to apply, continue to pursue what interests them, because it’ll make them stand out and it’ll ultimately be more fulfilling.”
She added: “I just feel very fortunate. It means security in terms of my career as a humanist at a time when the humanities are sort of challenged and also the opportunity to basically do whatever I want career-wise.”
Shubham Bansal: From Lab Research to Lifesaving Naloxone Distribution
Shubham Bansal, a senior at the University of Washington majoring in Neuroscience and Medical Anthropology, has built his academic and professional work around both individualized medical care and community-based public health policies.
Bansal is the founder and executive director of NARCARE, a nonprofit organization that organizes certified Naloxone trainers to distribute emergency life-saving overdose supplies across the country. His work directly addresses the ongoing opioid crisis that has claimed hundreds of thousands of American lives over the past two decades.
Bansal also serves as a Mental Health and Social Justice Committee Member of the Washington State Department of Health Advisory Board. His research in the Benaroya Research Institute’s Linsley Lab connects autoimmune disease properties to adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating his commitment to understanding complex biological systems.
At Oxford, Bansal will pursue an MSc in Health Service Improvement and Evaluation, positioning himself to continue work at the intersection of clinical medicine and public health policy.
Anil A.S. Cacodcar: Polling America’s Youth and Studying Fear in Public Health
Anil Cacodcar, a senior at Harvard University, is double majoring in Economics and Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology—an unusual combination that reflects his interdisciplinary approach to understanding human behavior and health.
The Harvard Gazette reported that Cacodcar’s senior thesis investigates the role of fear in regulating human behaviors during epidemics by examining local news coverage of fentanyl and its relationship to overdose deaths.
Cacodcar currently serves as chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project, where he leads researchers producing the nation’s largest survey on the political attitudes of young Americans. The Harvard Crimson reported that in this role, he has presented findings at Institute of Politics forums on topics ranging from the gender gap among young voters to youth civic engagement.
Beyond his academic work, Cacodcar volunteers with Boston Healthcare for the Homeless and a local homeless shelter, demonstrating a commitment to direct service alongside his research interests. At Oxford, he will complete an M.Phil in Economics.
Speaking to the Harvard Crimson, Cacodcar offered straightforward advice to future applicants: “I know it sounds trite, but you are who you are, with or without any kind of accomplishment or accolade or position or fancy job title. You can do anything you want.”
Anirvin Puttur: From Flight Commander to Oxford Engineering Scholar
Anirvin Puttur, a senior at the U.S. Air Force Academy, majors in Aeronautical Engineering and Applied Mathematics—fields that directly support his work as both an instructor pilot and flight commander in the 94th Flying Training Squadron.
Puttur has conducted research with the German Aerospace Center, where he focused on pitch recovery capabilities of the Center’s future fighter concept. He also competes at the national level on the Air Force Academy’s Aerobatic Demonstration Team, combining his technical knowledge with practical flying skills.
Puttur currently serves as President of the Martinson Honors Program, which offers interdisciplinary learning experiences for the Academy’s highest academic performers. Beyond aviation and engineering, he demonstrates remarkable linguistic abilities: American Bazaar reported that he is proficient in four languages—Kannada, Tamil, Latin, and German—and is a self-taught pianist, guitarist, and drummer.
At Oxford, Puttur will pursue an MSc in Engineering Science, where his military experience and technical background will inform advanced aerospace research.
A Strong Showing for Elite Institutions
This year’s American Rhodes Scholars came from institutions across the country, with Yale University, Harvard University, MIT, and the U.S. Military Academy each producing three winners. The Boston Globe reported that 14 students from six New England colleges and universities were selected, reflecting the region’s concentration of academic excellence.
Nancy Kanwisher, an MIT professor who co-chairs the university’s Presidential Committee on Distinguished Fellowships, told the Boston Globe: “It’s just a thrill and an inspiration to meet each one of them. You just can’t believe how accomplished they are and how thoughtful they are about the major problems facing the world.”
The selection process involved 16 independent committees meeting simultaneously across the country on November 16 to interview 238 finalists, according to the Boston Globe.
Diverse Paths to Oxford
The four Indian American winners represent remarkably different academic trajectories—from Yale’s humanities focus to Harvard’s interdisciplinary social sciences, from the University of Washington’s public health emphasis to the Air Force Academy’s engineering rigor. Yet they share common threads: commitment to public service, interdisciplinary thinking, and dedication to addressing real-world problems.
Their selection continues a tradition of Indian American excellence in the Rhodes program. The scholarship will enable them to pursue graduate studies across Oxford’s colleges starting in October 2026, joining an international cohort of just over 100 scholars selected worldwide.
As they prepare for Oxford, all four scholars embody the Rhodes Trust’s mission of identifying young people with the intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service needed to address the world’s most pressing challenges—whether through understanding rural economic revitalization, combating addiction, polling the attitudes of America’s youth, or advancing aerospace technology.
This story was aggregated by AI from several news reports and edited by American Kahani’s News Desk.