Practice School Program provides students an opportunity to Practice what they have learnt, in marque Organizations under the supervision of a mentor. Students work on cutting-edge technologies and could choose to Practice in their own discipline of study or cross-discipline areas. This flagship program not only nurtures students to work in roles needing multi-functional skills but also provides them an opportunity to secure a PPO.
Practice School-I is an eight-week course conducted during the summer term after the second year of study. Students are stationed in an organization during this program and after a comprehensive orientation, students largely learn through observation and work on group projects, under the guidance and mentorship of industry experts and a faculty member from BITS. This not only serves as a first exposure for students to the corporate world, but also helps in nurturing their personality traits, communication, and presentation skills.
Practice School-II offered in the final year of study is a TWENTY-TWO weeks’ full-time program. First Degree students in their final year of study, can register for this either during the first semester or second semester and Dual Degree students can register for a double semester PS-II program. For Higher Degree students, the course is titled Practice School and such students can register for this in their final semester of study.
While students can opt for this program and give their preferences of the company where they wish to Practice, the allotment of students to a particular company follows a merit-based allotment process.
Students get the opportunity to practice what they have learned, by working on live projects, under the supervision of industry experts and faculty members of BITS. This program provides students the opportunity to put theory to Practice, work on cutting-edge technologies, understand the company work culture, and hone their behavioral skills. About 80% of the participating companies are long-term partners who depend on BITSians to build their talent pool. This speaks for itself about the performance of our students, which in turn, is in part due to our curriculum and the stress on all-round development.
Higher Degree students will have the option to do Practice School in the final semester of the degree programme, along the lines of PS-II for First Degree students. Upon the completion of the Practice School, students may be available for full-time employment as well.
The Institute only rewards merit and students gaining admissions have a proven academic track record. Added to this is our rich curriculum and state of the art infrastructure. Further students are provided ample opportunities to participate in curricular, as well as, extracurricular activities, thus contributing to their overall development. This is what makes BITS, Pilani a preferred destination for companies interested in providing Practice opportunities to students.
Over the last four decades`, Practice School, an educational innovation seeking to link industry experience with university instruction, has proven to be a win-win for all the three major stakeholders viz. the student, the partnering company and the Institute. In a nut shell, companies make use of the Practice School opportunity to meet their demand for high quality talent for short to mid-term duration projects, students make use of this opportunity to apply what they have learnt and the Institute benefits by the partnership in keeping their curricula current and enriched.
Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani introduced the Practice School (PS) program in 1973 as a part of students' academic curriculum, starting with 12 students and 4 faculty members at HINDALCO, Renukoot. Today, around 6,000+ students from Pilani, K K Birla and Hyderabad campuses of BITS Pilani attend this program each year, participation spread over 750 organizations, ranging from large corporate organizations to growing startups, with the mentoring support of 100+ faculty members. The average stipend for PS-II students is around Rs. 58,000. Furthermore, a good number of students also receive pre-placement offers (PPOs) from their host organizations, highlighting the program’s relevance in bridging the gap between academia and industry.
We strive continuously to structure the programme such that it enhances, on the one hand, the learning acquired by the students, and on the other, the contribution they are able to make towards developmental activities in the host organization to make the programme mutually beneficial.
Aspiring organizations can reach out to the contacts provided under the contact section. Key information about the company is collected and reviewed based on which the company is empaneled as a Practice School partner.
Name & Designation |
Feedback / Quote |
Shubhra Dalvi, Lead – Talent Acquisition @ Morningstar, India |
It is always amazing to interact with the smart bunch of freshers hired from BITS. We look forward to a long-term association with the Institute! |
Hari Krishnan, Founder & Director @ IdriveCapital |
We are very pleased with the program and would happily recommend the same very strongly to anyone considering it. |
Karthik Nagasubramanian, Principal Engineer @ Qualcomm |
BITS has been an asset for providing quality education to students with the latest cutting-edge technology around VLSI & Scripting which helps to seamlessly absorb into Industry. I would like to continue this engagement for the future. |
Vipul Surana, Executive Director – Operations, Transit and Geotechnical @ AECOM, India |
This half-yearly learning internship helps the students to understand the project in a broader way, benefits to gain rich amount of experience within the industry and work with industry experts and eventually to become a successful engineer. |
Sateesh Y (86A5PS351), Director @ Baxter Healthcare, Singapore |
If I can state in one sentence, I am in the current position in my career only because of the learnings from my Practice School. |
Prabhat Gupta (2010A2PS532P), Startup Advisor Incubateur, HEC, Paris |
Overall, the experience of being a mentor to PS2 students is quite enriching as both me and PS2 students operated as a single unit in growing together and leaving a legacy behind with successful projects. |
Mr. Sudeep Jain, IAS (86A3PS083), Senior Deputy Election Commissioner @ Election Commission of India, New Delhi |
Practice School in my view is what differentiated BITS and clearly put us all on a different pedestal. PS helped give us those finishing school touches and made us industry ready. Overall, Practice School is one of the most important elements of BITS degree program. |
Source |
Date |
Excerpt |
Financial Express |
8th February, 1977 |
Practice School is the first successful Indian experiment to build a bridge among university, industry, and society. |
Economic Times |
17th January, 1982 |
Except BITS -Pilani no other educational institution has Practice School arrangement. |
The Hindu |
16th February, 1982 |
Selected Institutions may be encouraged to introduce Practice School System like BITS-Pilani. |
Business Herald |
4th February, 1993 |
BITS offers much better education than IITs since the latter must operate within a government strait-jacket leaving no room for creativity and experimentation (PS). |
The Hindu |
16th February, 1998 |
An outstanding experiment in the realm of industry–institution linkage has been going on for several years in Indian Companies. This is the Practice School Programme of BITS Pilani. |
Name |
Designation / Company |
Feedback |
Sashakt Tripathi |
Co-founder, Elixar Systems |
PS-1 students from BITS Pilani have adapted very well to the new conditions. All the students involved have submitted all the assigned work on deadlines, no one has missed even a single deadline. This shows that they are taking their internship opportunity seriously. We will ensure that this is a productive internship for the students and that they develop technical skills as well as get an understanding of how to work in a corporate environment. |
GV Kiran Kumar |
Dy. Officer (Finance), BHEL HPVP, Visakhapatnam |
I would like to extend our appreciation for the amazing work done by the young talent. The project which was aimed to provide seamless information to the vendors of BHEL was very well understood and executed by the team from BITS. Budding talent might have spent endless hours working on this project, and the professionalism that has been shown is very important. |
Dr. S. Soundararajaperumal |
Executive Director, Tamilnadu Science and Technology Centre, Chennai |
Thank you so much for the projects done by the PS-1 students and the faculty members for guiding them. Most of the projects have come out nicely and effectively. |
Engagement Cycle & Planning Calendar
Practice School Division, BITS Pilani
The Practice School (PS) Division at BITS Pilani follows a structured annual cycle of student preparation, evaluation, and industry engagement. The calendar below outlines the key academic months mapped with PS-related activities to help students and faculty plan and participate effectively.
Activity |
Tentative Date |
Finalizing the list of participating organizations |
April 25, 2025 |
Preference form window for students |
May 05 – May 15, 2025 |
Allotment process |
May 20 – May 31, 2025 |
Allotment release to students |
June 01, 2025 |
Grievance process |
June 01 – June 05, 2025 |
Sharing student bio-data & faculty details with organizations |
June 15, 2025 |
Last date to accept shared profiles |
June 20, 2025 |
Last date to share offer letter and start date |
June 20, 2025 |
PS-II Registration |
July 03, 2025 |
PS-II Start Date |
July 03, 2025 |
PS-II End Date |
December 16, 2025 |
Activity |
Tentative Date |
Finalizing the list of participating organizations |
September 20, 2025 |
Preference form window for students |
October 05 – October 15, 2025 |
Allotment process |
October 20 – October 31, 2025 |
Allotment release to students |
November 15, 2025 |
Grievance process |
November 15 – November 20, 2025 |
Sharing student bio-data & faculty details with organizations |
December 01, 2025 |
Last date to accept shared profiles |
December 01, 2025 |
Last date to share offer letter and start date |
December 05, 2025 |
PS-II Registration |
January 05, 2026 |
PS-II Start Date |
January 05, 2026 |
PS-II End Date |
June 08, 2026 |
Activity |
Tentative Date |
Release of PS-I preference form |
March 25, 2025 |
Doubt Clarifying Session |
March 26, 2025 |
Domain-wise Orientation |
April 02, 2025 |
Live Support Session for Preference Form Filling |
April 03, 2025 |
Sessions by Students Counselling Cell (SCC) |
April 04 – 06, 2025 |
PS-I Preference Form Closing |
April 10, 2025 |
PS-I Allotment Release to Students |
April 25, 2025 |
Sharing Allotted Student List with Organizations |
May 06, 2025 |
PS-I Calendar |
May 26 – July 19, 2025 |
At BITS Pilani, we believe in learning through doing. Our flagship Practice School (PS) program bridges the gap between academia and industry by placing highly
motivated and skilled students within your organization, enabling real-world contributions to ongoing projects.
Why Partner with Practice School?
Unlock Innovation. Tap into Talent. Build the Future.
BITS Pilani invites leading organizations, research institutions, and startups to collaborate through its Practice School (PS) program — a dynamic and structured internship model that seamlessly integrates academic learning with industry experience.
What Makes BITS Pilani an Ideal Partner?
India’s Premier Institute
BITS Pilani is consistently ranked among the top technical universities in India with a legacy of excellence in science, engineering, and innovation.
Access to Top Talent
Engage with some of the brightest young minds in the country. Our students are well-trained, self-driven, and ready to contribute meaningfully from day one.
Industry-Ready Students
Through rigorous coursework and hands-on learning, our students bring strong analytical skills, technical proficiency, and a solution-oriented mindset to every
assignment.
Outcome-Oriented Internships
Unlike conventional internships, our Practice School program is carefully monitored, evaluated by BITS faculty. Students work on real projects with measurable impact.
Mutual Knowledge Exchange
Our partnerships foster a two-way flow of knowledge — while students gain exposure to industry challenges, organizations benefit from fresh perspectives,
research inputs, and cutting-edge ideas.
Faculty Collaboration & R& D Opportunities
Partnering with BITS Pilani opens doors to long-term collaborations, joint research, product development, and access to expert faculty in multiple
disciplines.
What You Gain:
What You Can Expect
Outcomes for Organizations
Interested in Partnering?
Let’s build something impactful together.
Write to us at psd@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in
Year |
Milestone / Achievement |
1973 |
Launch of Practice School Programme |
1975 |
PS opened to all disciplines |
1985 |
COPSIMS (Computer Operated Practice School Instruction Monitoring System) introduced |
1991 |
First PS station established abroad |
1992 |
PS introduced for Higher Degree students and Double Semester PS for Dual Degree students |
2006 |
Combined PS-I operations for Pilani and Goa campuses |
2007 |
Combined PS-II operations for Pilani and Goa campuses |
2008 |
WEPSIMS (Web Enabled PS Instruction Monitoring System) launched |
2010 |
Combined PS-I operations for Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses |
2011 |
Combined PS-II operations for Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses |
2012-13 |
₹44,000 scholarship introduced for PS-II students (CGPA ≥ 7.00) at research organizations |
2015-16 (Sem 2) |
Scholarship increased to ₹66,000 |
2023-24 (Sem 2) |
Scholarship increased to ₹1,10,000 (CGPA ≥ 6.00) |
2014 |
PSMS (Practice School Management System) launched |
2016 |
Digital Content created to address skill-set gaps |
2017 |
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) introduced for PS-I projects |
2020 (Summer) |
Remote PS-I implemented for 2940+ students with project assignments, corporate lectures, and LMS-based evaluation |
2023 |
Establishment of Student Counselling Cell (SCC), Conceptualization of open house much prior to allotment process, Conceptualized the live support sessions for students opting for PS , Complete restructuring of PS transcript, Initiated Level of Engagement (LoE) survey for PS-I students during the course, Pre PS-II Preferences Survey, BITS Pilani is currently offering an enhanced scholarship of Rs. 20,000 per month amounting to Rs. 1,10,000/- (for the entire duration of PS-II) to selected PS-II students with CGPA 6.00 and above at various research organizations. |
2024 |
Conceptualization of data source page for providing the access to information in a single platform for students, Implementation of New Practice School Management System with enhanced capabilities for planning & allotment purposes, Conceptualization of Pre Practice School-I survey.
|
BITS PILANI AWARDS SUMMARY – FICCI & ET EDUCATION EXCELLENCE
BITS Pilani Honoured with FICCI Higher Education Award 2019
Category: Excellence in Employability through Industry Engagement
Date: 28th November 2019
Venue: FICCI, New Delhi
A Moment of Pride!
BITS Pilani was awarded the prestigious FICCI Higher Education Award 2019 for "Excellence in Employability through Industry Engagement" The award was
conferred on 28th November 2019 during the FICCI Higher Education Summit. The recognition was presented by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road
Transport & Highways, and Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India.
Prof. Souvik Bhattacharyya, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, proudly received the award on behalf of the Institute.
BITS Pilani Recognized at The Economic Times Education Excellence Award
Proud Achievement!
We are delighted to share that Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) has been honoured in the Economic Times Education Excellence Awards under the category of:
Excellence in Industry-Academia Collaboration
Our presentation highlighted the Institute’s flagship Practice School program, which has long been a cornerstone of our commitment to bridging academia and industry.
This recognition underscores our continuous efforts to produce industry-ready graduates and nurture strong partnerships with the corporate sector.
Among the Top Contenders!
We are proud to announce that BITS Pilani is among the top three medal contenders — Gold, Silver, or Bronze — in this prestigious category.
How has Practice School helped students secure job offers?
Many students receive Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs) or Full-Time Roles from their PS organizations, recognizing their talent and performance. Many top companies have extended PPOs based on PS performance.
Are there examples of students turning PS internships into entrepreneurial ventures?
Yes! Several students have used the insights and mentorship received during their PS to launch successful startups or tech solutions. PS acts as a launchpad
by exposing them to real-world problems and encouraging innovative thinking.
Can PS exposure lead to global opportunities?
Absolutely. Students interning at international locations or with global firms have gone on to pursue higher education or careers abroad. Their PS performance often enhances their CVs and strengthens applications for universities like Stanford, MIT etc.
What role does faculty mentorship play in these success stories?
Each PS station includes a faculty mentor who guides the student academically and professionally. These mentors often help bridge the gap between theory
and practice, contributing significantly to student growth and success.
Which organizations regularly hire students based on PS performance?
Leading PS partners include:
Can alumni success be traced back to their PS journey?
Yes. Numerous BITS Pilani alumni credit their career direction, networking, and industry skills to their Practice School experiences.
How can students make the most of their PS internship?
Students are encouraged to:
Welcome to the Career Advisory & Evaluation Tools section. This platform is designed to support students in enhancing their professional skills through
structured evaluations, curated resources, and expert tips.
Whether you are preparing for a group discussion, interview, or simply looking to refine your communication skills, this section offers structured guidance.
Our Objectives
Group Discussion (GD) Preparation
Group Discussions are a key part of evaluation during placements, PS interviews, and other academic selection processes. Use the resources below to understand the expectations and improve your performance.
What is Evaluated in a GD?
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s:
Don’ts:
Resume & Cover Letter Guidance
Presenting yourself professionally starts with a well-crafted resume and a focused cover letter. Use these tools to get started.
Resume Tips
Cover Letter Tips
Mock Interview Preparation
Practice makes perfect. Be ready for:
Sample Questions:
Let’s Get You Ready for the Future!
Whether you're preparing for your next internship or job role, these tools are designed to guide your journey. Explore, practice and grow.
Criterion | PS I | PS II |
---|---|---|
Objective | Exposure oriented. Students' first exposure to industry | Project/ discipline based. Transition from student life to professional life. |
Duration | 8 weeks | 5.5 months |
Units | 5 Units | 20 Units |
Yes. The student has to wear only formal dresses in the organization during PS-II programme.
Professional experts
Professional experts of host organization will help the students during PSII programme.
As per guidelines 100% attendance is necessary in PS Program. However in case of genuine cases student can take maximum of six leaves with prior permission and approval from PS-II faculty. Under those circumstances the student is required to compensate for the leave taken by working on holidays or overtime.
Some of the organizations may offer job depending on the work done by the student.
To withdraw from PSII, the student must send the application to Dean PS Division (addressed to Dean ARC) stating the reasons. This application must be forwarded by the PS faculty.
Except BITS, Pilant no other educational inattiutton has Practice School arrangement
Selected Institution may be encouraged to introduce Practise School System like BITS, Pilani.
An outstanding experiment in the realm of industry - institution linkage has been going on for several years in Indian Companies. This is the Practice School Programme of Birla Institute of Technology and Science(BITS) located in Pilani, Rajasthan.
Practice School is First successful Indian experiment to build a bridge among university, industry and society.
BITS offers much better education than IIT's since the latter has to operate within a government strait-jacket leaving no room for Creativity & Experimentations.
1970s: Foundational Years
1980s: Technological Advancements
1990s: Expansion and Growth
2000s: Campus Integration
2010s: National Expansion and System Overhauls
2016-2020: Digital Transformation and Remote Learning
2023-24- Key Initiatives and Enhancements in Practice School (PS) Program
The Practice School-II programme begins with the registration of students at their stations on the first day of the PS-II. This is like registration for courses on campus with the difference that the entire process is carried out at the off-campus PS-II station.
An orientation programme is organized once the registration is over. The main objective of this is to familiarize students with the different facets of the organization and acquaint themselves to the nature of work done in different sections / departments of the organization.
Within a week of the registration, the PS faculty distributes handouts to all the students. A handout contains all the details of evaluation components with the dates on which these would be conducted.
The orientation, which usually lasts for two weeks, is followed by allotment of projects from the ones listed in the problem bank. The professional expert from the host organization here acts as the consultant and guide. These projects are of direct relevance to the host organization. Therefore active involvement of professional experts assumes greater importance.
Throughout the PS-II programme the work of the students is closely monitored. The PS faculty conducts quizzes, group discussions, seminars and invites the professional expert's critical views on these evaluation components. These components enable the PS faculty to assess those latent attributes in students which do not normally surface in the class room. Observation and diary, for instance, enable the faculty to evaluate the student's total professional personality, his approach towards problem solving, and his ability to take initiatives, plan his work and meet the deadlines.
Feedback constitutes a unique feature of the PS system of education because the aim of various components of evaluation is not merely to evaluate the students' various personality traits but to also help them in improving upon these traits. Therefore, after each component of evaluation has been conducted the PS faculty gives feed back to the students and discusses with them, how they can overcome their drawbacks as well as strengthen their strong points.
Practice School-II, of five and a half months duration, carrying twenty units credit, is operated round the year, from July to December and January to June. This facilitates a continuous stream of well-prepared students to work on developmental projects in industry.
Since the students participate in and contribute to live projects, they are supported by a stipend and/or other facilities such as accommodation, travel reimbursement, etc.
PS-II is directed towards providing an opportunity to students to experience the world of work, by participating in live projects in industry, even before they graduate. Apart from the academic benefits, this also serves to hone their problem solving skills, and build team spirit, initiative, and leadership skills, which makes the eventual transition to the professional world smoother and better.
After a brief orientation, the students are involved directly in addressing the predefined problems (generally of multidisciplinary nature) of the host organization. The students are encouraged to work independently, under the technical guidance of a professional expert and the general guidance of the faculty. They are periodically required to defend the technical aspects of their work through written and oral presentations. Emphasis is laid on the importance of teamwork, development of leadership qualities, and the need for effective time management.
The first step in the planning process is to prepare the list of students who are to register in PS-II in each of the two sessions of the subsequent academic year. Interested dual degree students are likely to be permitted to pursue two semesters of PS-II. Higher Degree student may pursue PS in place of Dissertaion. The next step is to ensure that an adequate number of suitable projects are available from the various organizations (existing and new) to comfortably accommodate all the students. The off-campus faculty member’s role is crucial in this part of the process. Another task is to prepare a profile of each student, containing personal data, academic credentials, skills, extra-curricular interests, etc.
The Problem Bank is a list of assignments from the various organizations, with details of skills and knowledge required. Facilty Chart contains the details of stipend and other support provided by the organizations. These details are made available to the students. Based on this information, the students submit their preferences for the various projects and organizations. The allotment of students is done by matching the project requirements with students’ profiles, keeping the preferences and the merit of the students in view.
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