In The Spotlight

Stars, Satellites & Sky-high Innovation — BITS Pilani’s Fan-Favorite Clubs

Students have voted, and in this edition, our Techno Clubs steal the spotlight

Astro Club BITS Pilani

Based in the Pilani Campus, Astro club is known for conducting crowd favorite events during fests such as Nights Watch. Astro Club was started more than 50 years ago and continues to be a student favorite today. Students can be seen identifying constellations and observing planets from the club's exclusive base, the Faculty Division - III terrace. Astro club is one of India’s leading rocketry teams. In early 2025, the club's passion-driven project, Skywalker, soared to 2.8km in altitude, making it India's first student team to break the sound barrier and successfully test a supersonic rocket. It is all of these qualities that keeps Astro club a student favorite.

Team Anant

Team Anant, one of BITS Pilani’s leading tech clubs is known for its participation and winnings in conferences and competitions such as the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) and CatSat India. Team Anant is Pilani campus's very own satellite building hub with a mission to make cost-effective hyperspectral imaging on a nanosatellite platform. The tech club hosts many talks throughout the year, especially during APOGEE, BITS Pilani's Tech fest. The speakers have included known personalities from ISRO and DRDO. From deep tech satellite building to igniting such interests in the BITS community, Anant is a cherished club.

Radio Controls (RC club)

Founded in 2011, Radio Controls (RC club) is one of Pilani Campuses leading AeroModelling and DroneTech innovation hubs. The club represented India at AUVSI SUAS 2017 in Maryland, USA with an indigenously built autonomous fixed-wing UAV. MosT recently the team has secured 3rd place at Robofest 4.0, India’s biggest robotics competition for an autonomous aerial system. The club also hosted a Drone show during the GymG inauguration ceremony in BOSM’24. The club believes in building on the legacy with advanced UAVs, swarm systems, and in-house 5-axis CNC foam cutters. It is these achievements and on-campus drone shows that makes the club treasured.

BITS Exclusive

Rising to New Heights: BITS Pilani’s Remarkable Ascent in National and Global Rankings

It has been a year of extraordinary growth and recognition for BITS Pilani, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most dynamic institutions in higher education and research. The recently announced NIRF 2025 Rankings in September by the Ministry of Education, Government of India brought in yet another moment of collective pride, with BITS Pilani making a remarkable leap across multiple categories. From a steady presence in the rankings over the past few years, the Institute has now secured the 7th position in the University category, 2nd in Pharmacy, 11th in Engineering, 18th in Research Institutions, and 16th in Overall ranking. This sharp upward movement reflects the vision, discipline, and unwavering commitment of the BITS community to drive excellence in every sphere, from classroom learning to global research collaborations.

Looking back, the numbers tell a powerful story of progress. In 2023, BITS Pilani stood 25th in Engineering and 23rd Overall. A year later, in 2024, it climbed to 20th in Engineering, marking the beginning of a promising trajectory. Now, in 2025, the Institute stands tall at 11th in Engineering and 16th Overall, a climb of over 14 places in just two years. This steady rise is evident in the Institute’s growing research output, quality publications, patents, and the impact of its faculty and alumni across the world.

Complementing this success is the strong performance in the CSRankings 2025, where BITS Pilani – Goa Campus achieved the #8 position in India in Computer Science, moving up from #15 in 2024 and #10 in 2023. The CS Rankings, which assess faculty publications in top-tier international conferences and journals, underscore the strength of BITS’s research culture and its emphasis on academic rigor and innovation. The establishment of the Anuradha and Prashanth Palakurthi Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (APPCAIR) has been central to this progress, enabling cutting-edge research across all BITS campuses, including Dubai.

Reflecting on this progress, Prof. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, shared, “Our position in these national and international rankings reflects the commitment of our faculty, students, and alumni. With enabling policies and a strong research culture, BITS Pilani continues to build a vibrant ecosystem of excellence.” Rankings, though vital, are not the destination but milestones on our continuous journey toward impact. They reflect the world’s recognition of what BITSians have long known, that excellence here is not incidental but ingrained.

Every achievement in these rankings mirrors the collective spirit of the BITS community, our dedicated faculty, our research scholars pushing boundaries, our alumni leading industries and deep-tech ventures, and our students carrying the Institute’s values forward. Together, they define what BITS Pilani stands for, excellence with integrity, innovation with impact, and education that transforms lives. As we celebrate these recognitions, we also look ahead to aim higher, explore deeper, and continue building on the legacy that makes every BITSian proud.

Research Stories

BITS researchers develop Indoor Air Quality Index to tackle hidden health risks

Dr. Atun Roy Choudhury, a researcher at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, under the guidance of Prof. Sankar Ganesh Palani and in collaboration with researchers from other reputed institutes, has developed a data-driven Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Index to assess health risks arising from poor construction and renovation practices. Published in Environmental Science: Atmospheres (Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025), the study highlights that indoor air can be up to 100 times more toxic than outdoor air, posing severe health hazards.

Key Points:

- Identifies pollutants like PM2.5, VOCs, and benzene as major indoor threats
- Links inferior materials and poor ventilation to respiratory illnesses
- IAQ Index offers data-based tools for risk assessment and mitigation
- A step toward healthier buildings and sustainable urban design

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Student Spotlight

BITSian Wins First Place at Viasat’s Space for Good India Challenge 2025

Congratulations to Mayank Golechha BITS (MSc Physics + B.E. Computer Science, BITS Pilani) who won First Place at the national challenge in Delhi, hosted by Viasat, which brought together leaders from space, defence, telecom, and research sectors. Selected from 9,000+ ideas, Mayank emerged as one of just 8 finalists.

His project, Project MagnoSat, envisions orbital highways of superconducting EM rings that give satellites a fuel-free velocity boost. A futuristic solution to extend satellite lifetimes, cut costs, and make deep space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond more sustainable.

Faculty Spotlight

Celebrating Excellence in Teaching

We’re thrilled to share that Prof. Vasan Arunachalam, from the Department of Civil Engineering, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, has been selected for the Prof. SSR Memorial Teaching Excellence Award 2025.

Known for his engaging classes and commitment to his students, Prof. Arunachalam brings learning to life with passion and clarity. His dedication to inspiring young minds and making a real impact in the classroom truly reflects the spirit of BITS.

Alumni Spotlight

BITS Pilani alumnus rises to top leadership in the Indian Air Force

Congratulations to Air Marshal Sanjiv Ghuratia, AVSM VSM a BITSPilani alumnus on being appointed Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance at Indian Air Force Headquarters on 01 September 2025.

With an illustrious 37-year career, he has held key leadership roles and been decorated with the Vishisht Seva Medal (2016) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2025) by the Hon’ble President of India. UN Commendation: For his service in Congo, he was recognised by the Force Commander for his distinguished contribution.

Air Marshal Ghuratia truly embodies the BITSian spirit of discipline, innovation, and nation-building. BITSPilani celebrates this achievement and wishes him continued success in service to the nation

Startup Spotlight

Bringing Reusability to India’s Rocket Race

At just 24, Jainul Abedin, Founder & CEO of Abyom SpaceTech & Defence, is leading one of India’s most exciting aerospace startups, born out of BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus. Abyom is on a mission to make space access reusable, reliable, and affordable, developing India’s first re-ignitable, throttleable cryogenic engines, a leap toward reusable rockets.

From over 150 successful propulsion tests to building a mobile engine testing facility on wheels, the team is reimagining how deep-tech innovation can thrive in India. With eyes set on a reusable rocket launch by 2028, Abyom is not just building rockets, it’s building India’s future in sustainable space technology

Suhane Pal

Alumni Visit at BITS Hyderabad

On 28th September 2025, a few of our esteemed alumni from BITSAA Hyderabad Chapter visited the campus

They interacted with students, shared their experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions. We also had the opportunity to update them on our recent initiatives and developments. The visit concluded with a campus tour, bringing back fond memories and strengthening the bond between alumni and the institute.

We thank our alumni for their continued support and look forward to more such interactions!

Events Gallery

MAHASAT Kickstarts 2025 Cohort with Ground-Station Visit and CubeSat Training

MAHASAT began its annual activities for the 2025 cohort with an insightful ground-station visit on 8–9 September, followed by freshmen training sessions on 13–14 September.

Students explored satellite communication fundamentals, hands-on tracking using WXTrack and HDSDR, and witnessed live image captures from NOAA weather satellites.

The CubeSat Training Program introduced participants to satellite systems, mission design, and key subsystems such as OBC, EPS, ADCS, and communication systems. These interactive sessions strengthened both conceptual understanding and practical application, reaffirming MAHASAT’s commitment to nurturing future space technologists.

Distinguished Guests and Academic Leaders Celebrate the Graduation of 297 Students at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus

The BITS Pilani Dubai Campus (BPDC) celebrated the convocation of its 22nd batch, with 297 graduates receiving their degrees in a ceremony graced by His Highness Shaikh Sultan Jamal Saqer Sultan Al Qasimi, Member of the Ruling Family, Ras Al Khaimah

The event was attended by Mr. Essa Al Ghurair, Mr. Syed M. Salahuddin, and senior BITS leadership including Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Col. S. Chakraborty (Retd), and Prof. Souri Banerjee.

Dr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor, congratulated graduates virtually, urging them to blend excellence with global impact, while Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao and Prof. Souri Banerjee highlighted the university’s strides in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The ceremony also honoured Sid Mookerji (BITS Ratna Award 2025) and Dr. Nikhil Bhalla (Young Achiever Award 2025), along with top-performing students.

With strong placement outcomes and graduates joining top firms like AstraZeneca, Zomato, CAFU, and Landmark Group, BPDC reaffirmed its role as a leading centre for academic excellence and innovation in the region.

Celebrating the BITSian Spirit of Sports

Bits Open Sports Meet 2025 (BOSM 25’), BITS Pilani’s Sports annual fest was held in late September this year. With more than one thousand out station participants BOSM saw a great increase in competition.

Students displayed sports acumen by participating in various sporting events throughout the four day fest. Professional shows featuring Shalmali Kholgade stole the night as students danced and enjoyed themselves. Biswa Kalyan Rath and Kaustubh Agarwal were featured for N2O, the college's flagship comedy show. With neck-and-neck matches, cheering crowds, and nights full of fun filled events and food, BOSM continues to be a spectacle.

Keeping the spirit of sportsmanship alive throughout all campuses, BITS Pilani Goa Campus had Zephyr, an interhostel series of competitions. Points were collected over a span of three days as hostels competed against each other for the ultimate prize - a PS5. Hostel DH5 won overall with other teams winning prizes in the three days span. The event created joy and excitement on campus, increasing campus bonding.

International University Career Fair 2025 – Opening Doors to Global Opportunities

The Center for Higher Education at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, in collaboration with Intelligent Partners, successfully hosted the International University Career Fair 2025 on 17th September 2025 at the Centre for Higher Education, Library Block.

The event provided students, parents, and professionals with a valuable platform to interact directly with representatives from leading international universities. Attendees explored global academic pathways, scholarship opportunities, and career prospects across various disciplines.

The fair emphasized BPDC’s commitment to guiding students toward international exposure and professional growth, helping them shape a future that transcends borders. Your Future. Your Global Journey Starts Here.

BITS Pilani Wins IMC Gold Award 2025 for Excellence in Management Education

BITS Pilani has been conferred the IMC Gold Award for Excellence in Management Education at the 15th Indian Management Conclave (IMC) 2025, hosted by IIFT. The award was presented by Shri Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, and received on behalf of BITS Pilani by Dr. Krishnamurthy Bindumadhavan.

This honour reflects the sustained commitment of our faculty, students, and alumni towards advancing management education and thought leadership.

A Proud Moment for BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus!

We are proud to share that Prof. Sanket Goel, Head of CREST and Birla Chair Professor at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, has been conferred the National Award to Teachers (NAT) 2025 by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, presented by Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

This honour recognises his outstanding contributions to education, research, and innovation, reflecting the spirit of excellence and impact that defines BITS Pilani.

BITS Pilani Honoured with the Clarivate India Research Excellence – Citation Award 2025!

We’re proud to share that BITS Pilani has been named a winner in the Deemed or Private University category of the Clarivate India Research Excellence – Citation Awards 2025.

Presented on 18 September 2025, the award was received by Prof. Sounak Roy, Dean–Research & Innovation, on behalf of the institute. This recognition underscores the global impact and research excellence driven by our faculty, scholars, and collaborators.

Innovation & Collaboration

A Thrilling Milestone for Mechanical Engineering Department at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus!

The official inauguration of our brand new Aerospace Laboratory took place on 28th September 2025, comprising of top-notch infrastructure for Aerodynamics & Propulsion, Aircraft Design and Autonomous Air Mobility Vehicles.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, Director Prof. Souri Banerjee, Registrar, BITS Pilani Mr. Soumyabrata Chakraborty, HOD, Prof. Vincent Shantha Kumar, PhD, faculty and staff, and deans attended the inauguration ceremony. The addition of this lab will enhance our research and teaching capacities, allowing students and faculty to engage in aviation possibilities.

Defence-Academia Innovation: T-SATS 2025 Highlights

At T-SATS 2025, India’s first Defence-Academia Symposium held on September 22–23 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, students and faculty from BITS Pilani showcased breakthrough defence technologies, earning national recognition.

In the Innovation Spotlight, AstroDeus (founded by Parag Jiwtani, Yash Kaushik, and Madhukar Soni) and the MEMS-based Gyroscope by Prof. Venkatesh K.P. (Pilani) were selected among the Top 6 nationwide by the Army Design Bureau.

Other notable exhibits included SMA-HDRMs, Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks, and Fluorometric Platforms for TKX-50 Detection. Guided by Prof. M.R.M. Babu (Head, CRENS), BITS Pilani continues to strengthen its role in advancing defence research and innovation.

BPDC Unveils Silver Jubilee Time Capsule – Preserving Today’s Hope for Tomorrow's Future

The Silver Jubilee Time Capsule Project was launched on September 28th, 2025 at a ceremony led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, the Director, Prof. Souri Banerjee.

The Registrar Mr. Soumyabrata Chakraborty, Associate Dean B.G. Prakash Kumar B G and many other guests, including faculty, staff, and deans of BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus.

This monumental project in BPDC's history is not only a momentous occasion to commemorate 25 years of commitment to education, but more importantly is a bold stepping stone into the future. The Time Capsule is conceived as a connection over time - documenting the aspirations, innovations, and ideas of BPDC that will remain encapsulated to be rediscovered by future students and leadership in the year 2050 for the Golden Jubilee to see where that dream came from and how far it has travelled since.