In The Spotlight

BITS Sports Festival 2025

BSF 2025 opened on a high note as athletes from 39 universities and 18 schools came together for one of the largest editions yet. The opening ceremony featured the March Past, Torch Run, cauldron lighting, and flag hoisting, with addresses by Prof. Souri Banerjee and Guest of Honour Mr. Yasasvi Malka.

The festival witnessed intense competition across athletics, badminton, basketball, tennis, volleyball, chess, cricket, football, table tennis, throwball, and boxing, with strong performances from MDX, Manipal, and BPDC, which secured multiple home victories. The week concluded with an electrifying closing ceremony graced by legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar as Chief Guest, followed by the awards ceremony honouring champions across categories. BSF 2025 stood out as a celebration of sporting excellence, energy, and campus spirit.

ATMOS 2025 | Solaris Surge

BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus hosted ATMOS 2025, its annual technical festival, from 6 to 8 November, bringing together students for three days of innovation, competition, and creative exchange. The campus witnessed an energetic lineup of hackathons, RoboWars, workshops, quizzes, panel discussions, and technical challenges, complemented by vibrant musical and comedy nights that added a cultural dimension to the fest. From ideation to execution, ATMOS 2025 showcased the Institute’s strong technical culture, creativity, and collaborative spirit.

The festival was inaugurated by Dr. Sandeep Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad, whose address set the tone for a fest driven by curiosity, excellence, and impact. With enthusiastic participation across events and seamless student-led organisation, ATMOS 2025 – Solaris Surge concluded as a celebration of technology, talent, and campus community.

BITS Exclusive

Open Day 2025 | BITS Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus | November 8th

Shri Mauvin Godinho, Hon’ble Minister for Transport, Industries, Trade & Commerce, Panchayati Raj, Protocol & Hospitality and Legislative Affairs MLA of Dabolim Constituency, visited the campus and was received by Prof. Suman Kundu, Director BITS Pilani - K.K. Birla Goa Campus, and Prof. Meenal Kowshik, Dean, Administration, and Mr. Arjun Halarnkar Chief Manager, Public Relations.

With around 20 schools participating, the event featured research exhibits and live demonstrations across departments, led by the Deans, HODs, faculty, staff, students and research scholars, highlighting the campus's culture of innovation and learning

BITS Pilani Strengthens IP Portfolio with Two New Patent Filings

BITS Pilani continues to advance its research and innovation footprint with two significant patent filings from the MEMS, Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics (MMNE) Lab at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, underscoring the Institute’s sustained focus on cutting-edge materials, nanoscale engineering, and sensor technologies.

The first patent, “Sensor Device and Method of Preparing Nano-Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Sensor Device,” was filed by Ramya Karunakaran, Dr. Khairunnisa Amreen, Peter A. Lieberzeir, Julia Völkle (University of Vienna), and Sanket Goel, highlighting strong international research collaboration. The second patent, “Flexible Two-Terminal Resistive Radiation Device,” was filed by Arindam Kushagra, Ph.D., Sai Prasad Goud, Bavana Harshitha Mutyala, V. Ramgopal Rao, and Sanket Goel, reflecting impactful innovation in flexible electronics and radiation sensing.

These achievements reflect the collaborative research culture and technical excellence fostered at the MMNE Lab and across the BITS Pilani Hyderabad research ecosystem, reinforcing the Institute’s commitment to translating advanced research into protected intellectual property with real-world relevance.

Faculty Spotlight

Prof. Pragya Komal Represents BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus at International Brain Health Conference

We are proud to celebrate Prof. Pragya Komal for representing BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus at the International Conference on Sustainable Brain Health: Advances in Neurochemistry and Neuropharmacology, held as part of the 39th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neurochemistry (SNCI), India, from 17–19 November 2025.

Prof. Komal chaired invited sessions and delivered a talk titled “D Nutraceutical Resilience Effect in Mental Health Disorders”, sharing her insights on emerging neuroprotective strategies and the future of nutraceutical interventions in mental health.

Her work continues to push the boundaries of neuropharmacology and strengthen BITS Hyderabad’s presence in cutting-edge brain health research.

Alumni Spotlight

BITSian Changemaker | Anish Sinha (Class of 2006)

We are delighted to spotlight Anish Sinha, a distinguished alumnus of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (Class of 2006), whose career reflects a rare blend of leadership, innovation, and social purpose. Currently the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of upcover, Anish is redefining the business insurance landscape through data-driven decision-making and customer-centric solutions.

An MBA graduate of XLRI Jamshedpur, his professional path spans diverse roles from working as an equities analyst at Goldman Sachs covering European markets, to leading growth, analytics, and customer engagement at nearbuy.com, and mentoring early-stage founders as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Antler.

Beyond business, Anish founded Medical Oxygen For All (MOFA) during the pandemic, mobilising partnerships and resources to deliver lifesaving oxygen support to underserved regions across India. His journey reflects the BITSian spirit where excellence and empathy come together to create lasting change.

Suhane Pal

Silver Jubilee Reunion | BITS Pilani Batch of 2000

The BITS Pilani campus came alive as the Batch of 2000 returned from 28–30 November 2025 to celebrate their Silver Jubilee Reunion, marked by vibrancy, nostalgia, and shared memories. With a record 350+ alumni travelling from across continents, the reunion was especially significant for representing one of the highest proportions of female students of its time, shaping the diversity and culture of their era.

The celebrations were matched by generosity, with the batch setting the highest-ever funding target to support the Institute’s growth and innovation. From revisiting hostels and classrooms to music nights and long walks across campus, the reunion blended cherished memories with renewed commitment reinforcing the timeless spirit of Once a BITSian, always a BITSian.

Events Gallery

Advancing Computational Intelligence: CINS 2025 at BITS Pilani Dubai

The Department of Computer Science at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus successfully hosted the 3rd International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Network Systems (CINS 2025) on 25–26 November 2025.

The event was inaugurated by our esteemed Chief Guests, Mr. Ahmed Roshdi, Senior Cisco Security Architect, and Mr. Mohit Rampal, CEO & Founder of Rapifuzz Pvt. Ltd. CINS 2025 featured insightful keynote sessions by Prof. Ahcene Bouncer (University of Sharjah) and Prof. Navin Singh Rajput (IIT BHU), along with engaging workshops on Digital Privacy and Federated Learning, paper presentations across emerging technology domains, vibrant networking opportunities, and the Best Paper Awards during the valedictory session. The conference was proudly supported by IEEE, IEEE Digital Privacy, Rapifuzz Pvt. Ltd., and DESCO Print & Studio, marking two impactful days of innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.

BITS UFC Secures Silver Medal at Regional Championships

We are delighted to share that the BITS UFC (Ultimate Frisbee Club) has clinched the Silver Medal at the IU RCUC 2025 India Ultimate Regional College Ultimate Championships, held at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru.

Our team showcased exceptional skill, discipline, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament, making the entire BITS Goa community proud. Heartiest congratulations to all our talented student-athletes! A special appreciation to the Sports Section for their continued support in facilitating the team’s participation.

Turning vision into planetary robotics — BITSians shine at ERC 2025

Congratulations to our students of CRISS Robotics, They secured 3rd place globally and 2nd in Asia at the European Rover Challenge 2025 (Remote Edition).

From simulating rover operations on Earth to exploring possibilities on Mars, our students have shown what passion, teamwork, and innovation can achieve. Led by Ashray Saxena and Vanshika Agarwal, under the guidance of Prof. Mani Sankar Dasgupta, the team distinguished itself on the global stage, with the Software Subsystem, headed by Gautham Balachandran and Aryan Chaudhary, driving the effort to the podium.

See the passion and innovation in action watch the video.

Director’s Tea Party – A BITSian Evening to Remember

The Director’s Tea Party, held at the VFAST Lawn, brought together graduating students for an evening of reflection and interaction, celebrating the enduring BITSian spirit.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Sudhirkumar V. Barai, Director, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, shared his thoughts through these words:

“हाथ छूटे तो भी रिश्ते नहीं छोड़ा करते,
वक़्त की शाख से लम्हे नहीं तोड़ा करते।”

As students prepare to take their next steps, the evening reaffirmed a timeless message while academic chapters may conclude, the bonds and values nurtured at BITS Pilani remain lifelong.

Advanced Manufacturing Fabrication Project Exhibition at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus

The Central Workshop, BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus successfully hosted the Advanced Manufacturing Process (ME F2315) Fabrication Project Exhibition on 28 November at the Central Workshop Corridor.

As part of the CDC course taught by Prof. Narala Suresh Kumar Reddy and Prof. Kundan Singh, 197 students across 19 project teams showcased a diverse range of fabricated products, demonstrating their ability to translate conceptual ideas into functional prototypes using both conventional and advanced manufacturing processes.

Through hands-on exposure to technologies such as 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting, and other non-traditional manufacturing methods, students strengthened core manufacturing fundamentals, enhanced problem-solving skills, and nurtured a spirit of innovation and research. The exhibition saw active engagement from faculty members and the campus community, and the Institute extends sincere appreciation to the faculty evaluators, the Central Workshop team, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering for their continued support in advancing experiential learning on campus.

BITS Pilani Recognised by Ministry of Jal Shakti at National Water Awards 2024

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani has been conferred Second Rank (Joint Winner) in the Best Institution – Other than School & College Inside-Campus category at the 6th National Water Awards, 2024, presented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Govt. of India.

Prof. Sudhirkumar V Barai Director, BITS Pilani (Pilani Campus), and the Registrar, Col. Soumyabrata Chakraborty, received the award on behalf of BITS Pilani. The ceremony was held today, 18 November 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Hon'ble Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C R Paatil, Hon'ble Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Railways of State Shri V. Somanna and Hon'ble Minister of State for Jal Shakti Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary.

Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla Awarded Doctor of Science (Economics) by the University of London

At BITSPilani, we are elated and honoured to share that our Chancellor, Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Science (Economics) by the University of London. This honour was conferred during the University’s historic Foundation Day ceremony at Senate House. The honour was presented by the Chancellor of the University, Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, in a ceremony marked by the full pageantry that accompany one of Britain’s oldest academic traditions.

This distinction is among the most prestigious academic honours in the United Kingdom. Foundation Day is the University of London’s signature annual event, commemorating its royal charter of 1836 and celebrating more than a century of scholarship, and public service.

The occasion is renowned for recognising individuals whose achievements have had a profound impact on society. Over the decades, honourees have included heads of state, pioneering thinkers, Nobel laureates, cultural icons, and leaders who have shaped national life.

The University of London occupies a singular position in global higher education. As the convenor of a federation that includes the London School of Economics, London Business School, King’s College London, SOAS and other distinguished institutions, it stands at the intellectual centre of one of the world’s great academic ecosystems. The entire BITS community congratulates Mr. KM Birla on this incredible honour.

BITS Pilani Amongst the Top 10% in Asia | QS Asia University Rankings 2026

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani has achieved its best-ever performance in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, securing an Asia Rank of 154 and placing amongst the top 10% of universities in Asia.

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
• 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: improved significantly, reflecting strong global trust in BITSians’ and their influence across diverse industries.
• 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: remarkably improved by, showcasing rising academic recognition across Asia. This achievement highlights our commitment to academic excellence, research-based learning, and industry relevance, while fostering international partnerships that strengthen our global presence.

Innovation & Collaboration

Strengthening India’s MSME Ecosystem | BITS Pilani × Laghu Udyog Bharati

We’re excited to share that BITS Pilani has signed a strategic MoU with Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB), the national body representing India’s MSMEs.

This collaboration brings together BITS Pilani’s research and innovation capabilities with LUB’s extensive MSME network opening new avenues for technology adoption, joint R&D, capacity building, and innovation-driven growth.

The MoU marks a key step toward empowering India’s MSMEs and advancing the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Looking forward to impactful work ahead!

BITS Pilani Dubai Campus Inaugurates Upgraded Creative Lab

We officially inaugurated the newly upgraded Creative Lab at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, a space where imagination meets innovation.

It was an honor to have: Chief Guest: Prof. G Sundar, Director Off-Campus Programmes & Industry Engagement, BITS Pilani Guest of Honor: Prof. Souri Banerjee, Director BITS Pilani Dubai Campus A proud moment to see our vision come alive with the support of our leadership and community.

BITS-TEC hosts Innovation Bootcamp at Mody University

BITS-Technology Enabling Centre (BITS-TEC), BITS Pilani, conducted an Innovation Bootcamp at Mody University (MUST) on 28 November 2025

Focusing on IPR, technology commercialization, and venture creation. Supported by DST and coordinated by the Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), the program engaged 80+ students, researchers, and faculty.

The event was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Ashutosh Bhardwaj, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Agarwal, Prof. (Dr.) Vinod Purohit, and Dr. B. S. Rathore. Sessions by Mr. Rajneesh Kumar and Prof. Deepak Chitkara offered practical insights on IP, tech transfer, and research-led entrepreneurship.

The bootcamp concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening IP culture and supporting the Mody University community in shaping ideas into tangible outcomes.