Ram Mohan Naidu Named Among Purdue Engineering’s 2026 ‘38 by 38’ Honorees

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has been named among the 2026 Purdue Engineering 38 by 38 honorees, an annual recognition for young alumni of Purdue University’s College of Engineering.

Naidu, who completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Purdue in 2008, described the honour as an emotional moment that brought back memories of his student years in West Lafayette.

Purdue lists K. Ram Mohan Naidu, BSEE ’08, among the 38 recipients selected for the 2026 class.

Award Inspired by Neil Armstrong

The Purdue Engineering 38 by 38 Award recognises 38 alumni aged 38 or younger who have demonstrated rapid professional growth and significant impact in their respective fields.

The award is inspired by Purdue alumnus Neil Armstrong, who was 38 when he became the first person to walk on the Moon.

Purdue launched the award in 2024, making the 2026 honorees part of its third class.

Naidu Recalls Purdue Memories

In a post on X, Naidu said receiving the recognition took him back to his university days, including campus conversations, friendships and late-night walks around West Lafayette.

He said his connection with Purdue had continued well beyond completing his undergraduate degree.

According to Naidu, his education at the university helped shape how he approaches professional challenges and public responsibilities.

Purdue Confirms Naidu Among 2026 Honorees

Purdue University’s College of Engineering officially lists Naidu among the 2026 38 by 38 winners, identifying him as Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India.

The Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering also highlighted Naidu alongside other ECE alumni selected for the 2026 class.

Electrical Engineering Graduate From 2008

Naidu earned his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 2008.

His official parliamentary biography also records a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Long Island University in New York.

He later entered politics and currently serves as India’s Union Minister of Civil Aviation.

Naidu Thanks Professor Vijay Raghunathan

Naidu thanked Professor Vijay Raghunathan, Purdue University’s Vice President and University Ambassador to India, for nominating him for the recognition.

Raghunathan separately congratulated Naidu, describing his journey from Purdue Engineering to national public service as a significant achievement.

‘Once a Boilermaker, Always a Boilermaker’

Reflecting on the recognition, Naidu said Purdue had given him more than an academic qualification.

He highlighted exposure to an international environment, friendships across cultures and the confidence to take on difficult challenges.

He concluded his message with Purdue’s familiar alumni sentiment:

“Once a Boilermaker, always a Boilermaker!”

Purdue Honours 38 Young Engineering Alumni

The Ram Mohan Naidu Purdue 38 by 38 recognition forms part of Purdue Engineering’s wider effort to celebrate alumni making an early impact across government, technology, research, industry and entrepreneurship.

The 2026 class includes alumni working in fields ranging from aerospace and artificial intelligence to healthcare, manufacturing and public service.