Pilani, Aug 11: Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani welcomed approximately 3,300 students in the Class of 2026 and their parents/guardians during a two-day orientation programme held across its Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses.
The event was led by Vice Chancellor Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao along with Prof. Sudhirkumar Barai, Director, Pilani Campus; Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, Goa Campus; and Prof. D. Sriram, Director, Hyderabad Campus. Other dignitaries attending the event included Institute-wide Deans, Associate Deans, and other senior faculty members who provided insights into the academic curriculum, opportunities, expectations, and support systems that define the institute’s longstanding legacy.
BITS Pilani has a selective intake of less than 2 percent of top talent. For 2026, over 2.63 lakh candidates applied through BITSAT, and about 3,300 students secured admission.
Welcoming the new cohort, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said,
“Joining BITS Pilani is about becoming part of a community that values academic excellence, innovation, integrity, and lifelong learning. Our responsibility is not only to educate students but also to empower them to become leaders, innovators, and responsible global citizens.”
During the orientation session, the Institute leadership highlighted the Institute’s multifaceted growth and legacy.
On the entrepreneurial front –
·BITS Pilani alumni have founded or co-founded 17 unicorn companies.
·Alumni-led startups have collectively raised over USD 22 billion in funding.
·Supported by a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Institute incubates 100 startups annually
On the placement front –
·During the 2025–26 placement drive, BITS Pilani students secured a median package of ₹20 lakh per annum.
·The average package received was ₹23.8 lakh per annum.
·About 500 unique recruiters participated in the placement drive
The orientation session also highlighted the financial support provided by the Institute to its students. During the current academic year, BITS Pilani will disburse scholarships worth about ₹132 crore. Approximately 25 percent of every admitted batch receives scholarships, with over 800 students benefiting from financial assistance at the time of admission.
Student Wellbeing
Focusing on the physical and mental health of its students, the orientation programme introduced parents and students to BITS Pilani’s integrated student welfare ecosystem, anchored by the Student Welfare Division. Students have access to 24×7 confidential counselling by qualified professional counsellors, regular wellness assessments and mindfulness programmes, and the BITSian Listening Tree, a trained peer-support network available on every campus. Residential life is backed by dedicated wardens, hostel superintendents and round-the-clock caretaker support, while a Student Aid Fund and students Mediclaim policy provide a vital financial safety net for students. An institute Wellness Council oversees these initiatives, supported by a transparent, time-bound grievance redressal process, reinforcing the Institute’s commitment to holistic development in a safe and inclusive& supportive campus environment.
Home to over 18,000 students and 3,000 PhD scholars across its Indian and overseas campuses, BITS Pilani is supported by a faculty strength of 1,100. In FY2025–26 alone, the Institute has recorded 3,255 research publications and filed 190 patents, reflecting its continued commitment to cutting-edge research and innovation.
The orientation concluded with interactions between students, parents, and faculty members, setting the stage for the beginning of a new academic year and reaffirming BITS Pilani’s commitment to nurturing future-ready graduates through excellence in education, research, innovation, and holistic development.