The loss had reportedly devastated the student’s family, who had lived in New Zealand for two decades before returning to Powai, Mumbai.
Indian Newslink reported Sriram celebrated his 21st birthday last month and had begun the new academic year at Auckland University five days before the incident.
Family friend Ms Badrinarayanan told the outlet the loss had taken a toll on Sriram’s parents.
“They are unable to come to terms with the tragedy. It could take a long time.”
In a statement to the Rotorua Daily Post, an Auckland University spokesperson confirmed Sriram was one of its second-year engineering students.
The university was saddened by his tragic death at Lake Taupō, and its thoughts and condolences were with his family and friends.
Police said the death had been referred to the coroner.
Zoe Blake is a multimedia journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post.