Meet the five Indians selected for Rhodes Scholarship 2025

Each year, thousands of the world’s brightest minds vie for the coveted Rhodes Scholarship, a life-changing opportunity to study at the University of Oxford. Established in 1902, through the will of British businessman and colonialist Cecil John Rhodes, the scholarship is one of the oldest and most prestigious international academic awards. Designed to cultivate public-spirited leaders, it aims to foster mutual understanding and peace through education, bringing together exceptional students from around the globe. As the Rhodes Trust states, “When different people come together in a shared spirit, exciting new things begin.”

Cecil John Rhodes’ statue at the Oxford University

In 2025, five Indian students have been selected to join this elite community, marking the continuation of a legacy that has evolved far beyond its colonial origins. Originally intended to foster unity among English-speaking nations, this esteemed and long-standing international scholarship programme underwent revisions over time. By the 21st century, eligibility expanded to encompass citizens from all countries. Indians gained access to this scholarship opportunity in 1947.

Rhodes Scholars receive full financial support, covering tuition fees, visas, health surcharges, and even travel and living expenses during their time at Oxford. Starting in 2026, the number of scholarships available to Indian students will increase to six, thanks to a perpetual endowment by entrepreneur couple Mukund and Soumya Rajan. Global Indian takes a look at the five Indian youngsters who have bagged the 2025 Rhodes scholarship:

Pal Aggarwal

Pal is a fourth-year undergraduate student from Ghaziabad, U.P., studying Engineering Physics (Hons.) at IIT Bombay. With dual minors in Computer Science and Machine Intelligence, her academic journey is deeply rooted in her passion for astrophysics, mathematics, and data science. Pal dreams of becoming an astronaut and is equally committed to advocating for women in science, inspiring others to pursue their ambitions in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Pal Aggarwal

Beyond her academic pursuits, Pal is an accomplished Bharatnatyam and contemporary dancer. As a student researcher at IIT Bombay’s Space Technology and Astrophysics Research (STAR) Lab, she works on “Daksha,” a proposed space mission to detect electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave sources. Her previous work includes contributing to the uGMRT’s Fast Radio Burst (FRB) detection pipeline at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, Pune, and participating in the Student Satellite Program at IIT Bombay. Her internships span a Quantum Computing research stint at the National University of Singapore and a strategic consulting role at Bain & Company, where she earned a coveted Pre-Placement Offer.

Rayan Chakrabarti

Ryan, a postgraduate student of Arts and Aesthetics at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), is driven by a deep interest in memory studies, anthropology, and the narratives of nationalism. A graduate of English Literature from St. Stephen’s College, Ryan envisions creating a dedicated archive and museum to document the COVID-19 pandemic and its far-reaching impact on South Asia. This passion for exploring collective memory led him to co-found the Pandemic Oral History Archives, capturing firsthand accounts of the crisis and its aftermath.

Ryan Chakrabarti

Ryan’s academic pursuits are complemented by his commitment to social impact. During his time at St. Stephen’s, he worked on a poverty alleviation project, conducting surveys to facilitate bank account access for slum residents and teaching remedial classes to underserved students. An accomplished pianist, he also channels his creative energy into writing and translating poetry that interrogates politics and nationhood, blending art and activism in meaningful ways.

Shubham Narwal

“I can’t believe I am India’s first vet Rhodes scholar elect. Happy to be part of the Rhodes community,” shared Shubham in his heartfelt reaction on social media after being named a Rhodes Scholar for 2025. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Shubham is driven by a mission to safeguard biodiversity. His academic focus lies in clinical embryology, where he aims to pioneer new conservation strategies for critically endangered species, particularly the Great Indian Bustard.

Shubham Narwal

Apart from internships at reputed institutions, Shubham’s journey has been enriched by a fully funded short online course on modern methods in Infection Biology conducted by the Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, Germany. In the course where students from other countries were his fellow participants, he delved into bioinformatics, microscopic imaging, and the One Health approach to tackle neglected tropical diseases, earning valuable global insights into animal health and ecosystem management. Beyond his academic pursuits, Shubham’s love for basketball and Harry Potter highlights his vibrant personality, balancing scientific rigour with creative passions.

Vibha Swaminathan

Vibha, the Rhodes Scholar-elect for 2025 from Delhi, is deeply committed to exploring the political and legal fragilities of citizenship regimes in India. A final-year student at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) and an alumna of Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR), Vibha envisions combining her academic pursuits with a dynamic human rights litigation practice in India’s trial courts. Her journey reflects a seamless integration of intellectual rigor and practical advocacy.

Vibha Swaminathan

At LSR, Vibha’s brilliance earned her several accolades, including the Faculty Prize, the Randhir Singh Award for Excellence in Political Analysis, and the Rena Sewak Award for Excellence in English Public Speaking. At NLSIU, she has continued to excel, taking on leadership roles as an elected member of the LLB Recruitment Coordination Committee and a member of the Academic Support Programme. She has also contributed significantly to legal practice, engaging in appellate citizenship litigation before the Guwahati High Court and assisting with constitutional cases in the Supreme Court. Vibha’s dedication to academia is equally impressive. She served as a teaching assistant for Criminal Law II (Criminal Procedure) and a research assistant for the Women Leadership in Law project.

Avanish Vats

Avanish, a bachelor’s student at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, is driven by a passion for epistemology and a vision to make philosophy accessible to disabled people. A former student of DPS Ranchi, Avanish combines his intellectual pursuits with a strong commitment to social work, aiming to bridge the gap between abstract ideas and real-world inclusivity.

Avanish Vats

An accomplished tabla player, Avanish has been a central figure in enriching the cultural fabric of his academic institutions. From serving as the primary tabla performer for school assemblies to being a key member of his college band, his musical journey has instilled in him discipline, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for community and culture.

Together, these Rhodes scholars represent the multifaceted talents and ambitions of a generation determined to shape a more equitable and innovative world, using the opportunities at Oxford as a stepping stone to drive meaningful change.