BITS Pilani: All You Need To Know
The Birla Institute of Technology & Science, BITS Pilani is an all-India Institute for higher education. The Institute is a dream come true of its founder late Mr. G.D.Birla – an eminent industrialist, a participant in the Indian freedom struggle and a close associate of the Father of Indian Nation late Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi). What started in the early 1900s as a small school, blossomed into a set of colleges for higher education, ranging from the Humanities to Engineering until 1964 when all these colleges amalgamated to culminate into a unique Indian University of International standing. This university was christened as the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, known to many as BITS, Pilani.
Over the years, BITS has provided the highest quality technical education to students from all over India admitted on the basis of merit. Its graduates may be found throughout the world in all areas of engineering, science, and commerce. BITS symbolizes the maturing of the Indian technical ability and “can-do” entrepreneurial spirit, especially as derived from the private sector.
BITS is located in the Vidya Vihar campus adjacent to the town of Pilani in Rajasthan. Pilani is the hometown of the Birla family and has a population of about 50,000. It is about 200 km west of Delhi and about 220 km north of Jaipur. The Institute buildings, hostels and residential quarters for staff with neatly laid out roads, lawns and gardens constitute the BITS Campus of about 328 acres.
BITSAT
BITSAT is conducted by the BITS-Pilani mainly for shortlisting students for the B.E (Hons.) course. It is a computer-based online exam in which the candidates have to sit in front of a computer at the exam center, which is connected to a server. The nature of the questions in BITSAT is in the form of multiple choices and is displayed on the screen of the computer. The candidate has to mark the right answer among the given options. There are total 150 questions of maximum 486 marks to be completed in total 3-hour duration without a break. Each correct answer marked by the candidate fetches +3 marks and each wrong answer marked by the candidate costs -1 mark. There is no marking for any skipped question by the candidate.
BITSAT 2017 is being conducted online for offering admissions to over 2,000 B.E. (Honours) seats. Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT) 2017 is being conducted by Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) from May 16 to 30, 2017. It is being conducted for admissions to Integrated First Degree Programmes of Engineering at the institute’s three campuses in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad.
A brief about the BITSAT 2017
| S. No. | Exam details | Specifications |
| 1 | Exam Name | Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test |
| 2 | Commonly known as | BITSAT |
| 3 | Exam Level | University Level |
| 4 | Exam Category | UG Exam |
| 5 | Exam Mode | Online |
| 6 | Conducting Authority | BITS Pilani University |
| 7 | Number of Applicants | Over 2 lakh |
Important Dates of BITSAT 2018
The following table contains all the important dates in the BITSAT 2018 event calendar.
| BITSAT 2018 Event | Dates |
| BITSAT 2018 Application Forms Available | 19th December 2017 |
| Application Form Deadline | 19th March 2018 |
| The Window for Correction in the Application Form | 15th to 19th March 2018 |
| Test Center Allotment & Announcement to Candidates | 21st March 2018 |
| Reserve Exam Dates & Slot Booking | 23rd March to 10th April 2018 |
| Hall Ticket Availability | 12th April to 10th May 2018 |
| BITSAT 2018 Examination | 16th May to 31st May 2018 (9 AM to 12 Noon & 2 PM to 5 PM) |
| BITSAT Score Release Date | 19th May 2018 |
| Apply for Admission with 12th Marks | 1st May to 18th June 2018 |
| Counselling & Registration | 30th May 2018 |
| Dead to Receive Online Application Form with Fee | 18th June 2018 |
| Admit List & Wait List Announcement after Iteration 1 | 20th June 2018 (5 PM) |
| Admission after Iteration 2 | 30th June 2018 (5 PM) |
| Admission after Iteration 3 | 10th July 2018 (5 PM) |
| Admission after Iteration 4 | 19th July 2018 (5 PM) |
| Admission after Iteration 5 | 31st July 2018 (5 PM) |
Academics
BITS Pilani has a three-tier academic structure.
First degrees
BITS Pilani offers four-year integrated first-degree programs (because several courses, such as mathematics and science, are common to each degree) in engineering, technology and pharmacy, a Master of Arts program and Master of Science programs in science and technology. The programs are divided into three groups:
Group A
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Pharmacy
- Computer Science
- Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Electronics and Communication Engineering (Dubai and Hyderabad campuses only)
Group B
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Mathematics
- Physics
Advanced degrees
BITS Pilani offers master’s degrees in engineering, pharmacy, public health and business administration. The Department of Management at BITS Pilani was established in 1971. Its objective is to improve management for engineers seeking to work in the emerging industrial world. BITS-Pilani has also started a 3-year Integrated Master of Engineering program in Computer Science with specialization in Information Security in their Hyderabad campus. This program targets Bachelor of Science students who have majored in Physics, Mathematics or both.
Off-campus programs
BITS Pilani offers off-campus programs in which students receive work experience in the industry. More than 19,500 students were registered in off-campus work-integrated learning programs in 2008–09. Work-related learning programs accommodate industry professionals who wish to pursue an advanced degree while remaining employed.
Admission Process
Since 2005, admission to BITS has been offered based on student performance on the all-India Entrance Examination, the BITS Admission Test (BITSAT). The test, for which applications are submitted in December, is conducted online in May and June in cities all over India. The exam tests the candidate’s knowledge, reasoning and analytical abilities in English, physics, chemistry, mathematics and logical reasoning, and is based on higher secondary curricula in India and abroad.
To be eligible for admission, students are required to obtain a minimum average grade of 75 percent in physics, chemistry and mathematics (with a minimum grade of 60 percent in each subject) in their higher secondary examination. Since 2011, the number of applicants for BITSAT has been increasing steadily from 123,000 in 2011 to 180,000 in 2014.
Around the Campus
Pilani is located 220 kilometres west of Delhi and 217 kilometres north of Jaipur; the BITS campus is south of the bus stand. The area of the campus (which includes the Birla Education Trust) is over 990 acres (400 ha); its developed area is 49 acres (20 ha), of which 60,769 square metres (15.016 acres) is used for the BITS building. The campus has 11,245 square metres (121,040 sq ft) of classrooms and 7,069 square metres (76,090 sq ft) of laboratories. The railway station nearest to the campus is Chirawa Railway Station, located at a distance of 16 km from the campus.
BITS also has a Birla Mandir dedicated to the goddess Saraswati, Sharda Peeth, built by G. D. Birla. The white marble temple is built on a 7-foot high foundation with 70 pillars for support. It covers an area of 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2).
The Pilani campus has India’s first technological museum, the Birla Museum. Built in 1954, it showcases technological achievements. BITS has a 2,535-square-metre (27,290 sq ft) auditorium decorated with paintings by students from the department of art and decoration.
Pilani is situated at within 3 hours of travel time from popular tourist spots of Rajasthan, vis-a-vis Sikar, Alwar, Bikaner, Abhisari & more. Those of you having an interest in wildlife photography have Ranthambore national park in the same state. There’s also the Bharatpur bird sanctuary for those of you interested in bird watching & photography.
Events & Festivals
BITSMUN
BITSMUN is one of the longest running and most eagerly awaited MUNs (Model United Nations) in India. With 400+ participants who engage in high-quality debates on various issues that affect the world, it has earned the distinction of being one of the biggest and best MUNs in the country. It is our mission to serve as a forum for a new generation of leaders in the international sphere, foster dialogue between students from all over the globe, and encourage critical thinking in a professional yet socially stimulating setting.
BITSMUN started its illustrious journey with its first simulation in 2009 and now in 2017, it will present its 8th edition. Over the years, it has enjoyed the privilege of hosting delegates from various countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Germany, Russia and many more. Yet again, with participation expected from over ten nations, the summit promises to be a truly global affair.
APOGEE
Over the years, the Birla Institute Of Technology And Science, Pilani has built and maintained a reputation of imparting the right mix of education, experience, and ethics that form the basis for achieving success in the modern world. Apogee, one of the largest technological symposiums of the country, has kept up with this tradition of innovation and breaking unprecedented frontiers.
BOSM
The BITS Open Sports Meet, or BOSM, as all know it, is one of the largest student-managed Sports fests of the country. The four-day festival encompasses everything about sports. Aimed at providing a platform to colleges from all over India to showcase their talents, promoting healthy competition, it gives attendees an opportunity to take part in a variety of sports and events.
Oasis
This annual cultural festival organized by BITS Pilani is held from 19th to 23rd October every year. One of the biggest cultural fests of Western India, Oasis – is a five-day extravaganza holding various interesting events like music, dance, drama, games, competitions and much more.
Fee Structure
For your ease of understanding, we’ve divided the BITS Pilani fee structure into two different sections viz. Institute Fees and Hostel Fees.
Institute Fees
| Particulars | Fee (Rs.) |
| Caution Money (One-Time & Refundable) | 3000 |
| One-Time Fees | 36,200 |
| Tuition Fees (Per Semester) | 1,59,000 |
| Other Advances (Per Semester) | 12,000 |
| Annual Fees | 675 |
| Total | 2,10,875 |
Hostel Fees
| Particulars | Fee (Rs.) |
| Hostel Fees (Per Semester) | 11,750 |
| Mess & Electricity Advance (Per Semester) | 10,000 |
| Total | 21,750 |
Facilities
The BITS Pilani campus offers all the modern academic and recreational facilities to its students. The campus is replete with state-of-art infrastructure which includes amenities such as a sports complex, labs, gymnasium, etc.
BITS Pilani is fully residential and hostel accommodation is provided to all students. The Institute has eleven hostels for boys and one hostel complex for the girl students. The hostel rooms are fully furnished with common room facilities, Cable TV, and telephone facilities are available in each hostel. All hostel rooms are equipped with Internet connectivity and solar water heating systems are provided in all the hostels. There is a common kitchen cum mess unit for every set of two boys’ hostels. There is a separate mess for the Girls’ hostel, which is situated within the boundary of the hostel. It is mandatory for the students staying in the hostel to have their food in the hostel mess. The messes attached to the hostels are fully managed by the students.
Placements
About or nearly 500 students from the Pilani campus sit for placements every semester, and of these almost 100% succeed in securing a job.
TOP RECRUITERS
- Amazon
- Cisco
- Epic Systems
- Guzool
- Oracle
- Absolut Data
- Aditya Birla Corp
- Adobe Systems
- Amazon Development Centre
- Apex Decisions
- ASHOK LEYLAND
- Bain
- Bank Bazaar
- Bank of America
- Barclays Technology Center
- BeeHyv Software Solutions
- Bharti Airtel
- Bogolik Software Solutions
- Bosch
- BrahMos Aerospace
Cutoff Scores
| Course & Department | Cutoff score |
| B.E. Chemical | 319 |
| B.E. Civil | 314 |
| B.E. Electrical & Electronics | 362 |
| B.E. Mechanical | 346 |
| B.E. Manufacturing | 311 |
| B.Pharm. | 240 |
| B.E. Computer Science | 384 |
| B.E. Electronics & Instrumentation | 345 |
| M.Sc. Biological Sciences | 304 |
| M.Sc. Chemistry | 308 |
| M.Sc. Economics | 335 |
| M.Sc. Mathematics | 330 |
| M.Sc. Physics | 324 |
Rankings & Accreditations
BITS-Pilani has been accredited with an A grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). It has also been ranked 16th by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Rankings 2017, MHRD, Government of India, among all the engineering institutes in India leaving behind even some of the IITs. According to the Times World Ranking 2017, BITS-Pilani ranked in the range of 601-800 in the world, which is 10th in number among all the Indian educational institutions at the international level. Although, rankings vary from committee to committee and year to year, here are a few recent rankings, when BITS Pilani was ranked amongst the Top 10 engineering colleges in India, along with the year for which the rankings were announced.
| Ranking Committee/Magazine/Organization | Ranking Year | National Rank |
| By Outlook India in | 2016 | 6 |
| By India Today in | 2016 | 3 |
| By The Week in | 2016 | 7 |
| By Outlook India in | 2015 | 7 |
| By The Week in | 2015 | 6 |
| By Edu Rand in | 2015 | 10 |
To know more about the institute, visit the official BITS Pilani website here.
All in all there are four campuses of BITS – 3 in India & 1 in Dubai. All these BITS colleges are great places that help students to develop their career!
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