In The Spotlight
BITSology
A narrative we bodly weave, A powerhouse of Innovators, It’s hard to believe! From Pilani to Dubai, Goa to Hyderabad, in lectures and labs, our ambitions touch the sky!
From chai-fueled nights in Pilani buzzing with ideas, to Dubai’s bold ambitions, reaching beyond borders from Goa’s beachside walks where dreams take shape to Hyderabad’s high-energy hackathons
BITSians don’t just belong to a campus; we carry its spirit wherever we go it’s the frantic submissions, the late-night group projects, the never-ending discussions, which begin with equations and end with life lessons, the faculty who guides us, the seniors who mentor us, and the friendships that turn into family filled with laughter, support, and memories that last a lifetime.
This is a special 13th edition of BITSology. One Year of BITSology, 60 Years of BITS: A Celebration A journey of aspiriation, success, midnight musings and everything in between. As the saying goes, “Walls have ears”, but with BITSology, we’ve shattered barriers. In this issue, we reflect on the turning points that made us groundbreaking research, campus innovations, alumni achievements, and vibrant campus stories keep the BITS spirit alive across every campus. More than just a publication, BITSology is a feeling A place where we connect, celebrate and grow together, no matter where we are, we always carry it in our heart. And here’s to one year of BITSology, sixty years of BITS, and a path shaped by curiosity and resilience.
Your effort, enthusiasm, and support make this trip worthwhile. We are not only marking milestones; we are also honoring you. What keeps us moving forward are every idea you make reality, every obstacle you face, every link you establish. Keep the talking going by sharing this newsletter, your ideas, and your comments with friends. Because BITSology is about the individuals who create—a concept that goes beyond the narratives. Thank you for welcoming us into this incredible community. We’re honored to be a part of your journey.
BITS Exclusive
EmpowHer Fellowship Program: Instilling leadership skills in young women
Are you a female student at BITS Pilani with big dreams of making an impact? The EmpowHER Fellowship Program is here to turn those dreams into reality! This Program is a 12-month transformative journey designed to equip female students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to become leaders and change-makers in their respective fields. This program fosters personal and professional growth through innovative projects, immersive experiences, and mentorship.
Eligibility:
- Open exclusively to 1st-year female students enrolled at the Pilani Campus.
- Applicants should have a passion for leadership, innovation, and social impact.
- Commitment to actively participating in workshops, mentorship, and project execution.
So what’s in it for you? You can expect mentorship from industry leaders and entrepreneurs and receive funding support for projects that can create a real-world impact. There’s nothing better than being part of a community of ambitious and successful women, and this program helps you early in your academic journey and ensures greater representation in decision-making roles, entrepreneurship, and impactful social change.
Research Stories
BITS team develops a model to check liver health at home
Researchers from BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus have successfully developed a prototype device that could make early detection of liver diseases like hepatitis and cirrhosis accessible to all.
The team, headed by Professor Sanket Goel, built the prototype using laboratory-grade filter paper, which was first sprayed with a fire retardant, then dipped in metal salt and targeted by a low-cost blue diode laser to create a special electrode. This electrode was then connected to a store-bought detector to measure liver health biomarkers from human serum. The researchers are further working towards building an in-house detector in the lab to reduce the device to the size of a glucometer.
Student Spotlight
BITS Pilani’s Stellar Performance at Robofest Gujarat 4.0
When Robotics Meets Innovation
BITS Pilani Students Win at Robofest Gujarat 4.0. Harshil, Chirag, Divy, and Sai, members of the Radio Control Club, BITS Pilani, secured third place in the Swarm Drone Challenge at Robofest Gujarat 4.0, held in Gujarat, showcasing their exceptional engineering skills under the guidance of Dr. Vinay Chamola and Prof. Manoj Kumar Soni. The competition saw 1,284 registrations from 34 universities, 104 institutes, and four schools, with only 169 teams advancing to the second round. The BITS Pilani team stood out with their innovation, earning a ₹5,00,000 cash prize.
Their success was driven by advanced drone functionalities, including autonomous object detection, precision landing, and shape formation, reflecting the growing role of robotics and AI in modern technology. Their dedication and innovation continue to reinforce BITS Pilani’s commitment to excellence in technology and research. We hope their journey inspires more students to push boundaries, innovate, and excel in robotics and automation.
BITS Pilani Goa Campus win huge at the ProjectX UofT AI Research Competition
A massive shoutout to Shlok Mehendale, Soham Kalburgi, Vrishti Godhwani, and Pranjay Yelkotwar for securing 1st place in the ProjectX UofT AI Research Competition ProjectX, organised by the University of Toronto AI, is the world’s largest undergraduate machine learning research competition, bringing together 17 top universities from around the globe.
This prestigious competition saw participation from leading institutions such as ETH Zurich, Cornell, Princeton, University of Cambridge, University of Waterloo, IIT Bombay, Imperial College London, The University of Edinburgh, University of Massachusetts Amherst and many more. The sponsors for this competition included Google, Vector Institute, KPMG, and RBC, and we thank them for supporting innovation in AI research.
BITS Pilani Team Wins TATA National Hackathon
Three Mechanical Engineering students from BITS Pilani Parth Pravin Hande, Aditya Dar, and Mohd Abdullah Wasif bagged the first position among the entries at TATA Consulting Engineers (TCE) ACE Hackathon for their project 'BITSolution,' against premier institutes including IITs and NITs. It was a high-profile event held in Mumbai, where the teams were developing proposals for the accelerated establishment of EV charging infrastructure in India. These students manifest a magnificent approach to this complex problem with the integration of engineering knowledge in a supporting business model enriched with AI optimization—the assurance of technical feasibility and economic viability.
Their winner package included the financials booklets and a novel AI metric with a cash prize of ₹50,000. Chosen from among more than 200 teams, their performance exhibits the possibility of a truly interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing global challenges, setting an example for future work in sustainability. With their motto, "Adapt, Improvise, Overcome," they stand as living testimonies to their grit and ingenious spirit in tackling real-time problems.
Faculty Spotlight
Trash to Treasure: India's Eco-Revolution Turns Waste into Wealth
A team of brilliant minds Prof. Saurabh Patankar and Prof. Sonal Ayakar from the BITS Pilani - Goa Campus, have just cracked the code on turning India's biggest headache—agricultural and urban waste—into a goldmine of opportunities. They utilised the fact that farmers earn 30% more by selling waste for biofuel production, and cities cut waste management costs by 40% with AI-powered recycling bots. This innovation can successfully curb air pollution by 25% if open burning of waste declines.
This isn’t just research —it’s a triple win for the economy, environment, and public health. This can undoubtedly catapult Indian Academia into making a real-world impact, and let’s hope this is a start to more innovation to combat pollution.
Alumni Spotlight
Rohan Khanduja receives major funding from Shark Tank India
From identifying a gap in the trekking gear market in 2017 to founding Tripole Gears, Rohan’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of inspiring. After leaving his consulting roles at J.P. Morgan and Sutra Management, Rohan invested ₹15 lakh of his savings to build his vision.
Today, Tripole Gears has scaled impressive heights, achieving ₹14 crore in revenue for FY24 (up from ₹11 crore in FY23) and setting sights on ₹20 crore for FY25. Adding to this milestone, Rohan has successfully secured a deal on Shark Tank India with Ritesh Agarwal, receiving ₹75 lakh funding at a ₹65 crore valuation. His journey exemplifies the BITSian spirit of innovation, determination, and excellence, and we hope this inspires the young entrepreneurial minds of today.
Suhane Pal
BITS Wind Tunnel Facility shall revolutionise innovation in national defence
BITS Wind Tunnel Facility will help with innovation in defense. BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus unveils the groundbreaking Nalini Kurra Wind Tunnel Facility by proudly inaugurating the Nalini Kurra Wind Tunnel Facility, a cutting-edge research facility designed to propel advancements in aerospace, automotive, and structural engineering.
This state-of-the-art facility has been made possible through the generosity of Mr. Goutham Kurra, an esteemed alumnus of BITS Pilani (Batch of 1993-98), co-founder of Wisq and Glint, and the event's Chief Guest. His contribution underscores his deep commitment to fostering innovation and excellence at his alma mater. The inauguration also saw the presence of Mr. Raju Reddy, co-founder of Kakatiya Sandbox, Sierra Atlantic, and a global technology leader.
The facility has been completely designed internally and would help drive research and innovation in aerodynamics, renewable energy, and advanced engineering. It would also provide a platform for startups to test prototypes for drones, wind turbines, and electric vehicles while strengthening hands-on learning and interdisciplinary projects for students. Through collaborations with industry leaders and agencies like DRDO and ISRO, the facility will enhance India’s aerospace and defence capabilities, contributing to the nation’s innovation ecosystem.
The Nalini Kurra Wind Tunnel Facility is developed with state-of-the-art technology with the ability to simulate and analyze airflow over objects. The wind tunnel can recreate various wind speeds and environmental conditions, enabling precision testing. It will benefit students and faculty in fields like aerospace engineering, mechanical design, and structural analysis.
Events Gallery
Celebrating Unity, Diversity, and Patriotism: A Memorable 76th Republic Day at Birla Institute Of Technology and Science
Republic Day 2025 was marked by joy, energy, and deep patriotism at the Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad and Dubai campuses. The celebrations began with the Republic Day Run, where students, faculty, staff, and community members came together for a marathon. The run showcased the spirit of togetherness that defines our institution. The celebrations continued with the flag hoisting ceremony, where the esteemed directors hoisted the national flag. The tricolour fluttered high, reminding us of the sacrifices made by countless individuals to shape the democratic ideals we cherish today.
Republic Day is a moment to reflect on the values of justice, liberty, and equality that form the foundation of our nation. As we honour these principles, let us continue working towards a brighter future for India, united in diversity and unwavering spirit.
Empowering the Next Generation of Semiconductor Innovators
We were honoured to host 20 talented students from Dibrugarh University, Assam, for a transformative 15-day internship at the Center for Research Excellence in Semiconductor Technology (CREST), BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus. This initiative highlights our commitment to advancing semiconductor education and fostering innovation to propel India’s technological growth.
Program Highlights:
- Hands-on exposure to cutting-edge facilities, including the Nanofabrication Clean Room, MEMS, Microfluidics & Nanoelectronics Lab, and more.
- Cultural immersion through visits to Hyderabad’s iconic landmarks and cuisine.
The program was spearheaded by Prof. Sanket Goel, Dean (Research and Innovation) and Head of CREST, with exceptional support from Dr. Praloy Mondal and Dr. Juhi Kumari. At BITS Pilani, we remain steadfast in our mission to drive innovation, nurture talent, and shape India’s journey toward technological self-reliance and global leadership.
Research day organised by the Physics Department at BITS Pilani Goa Campus
The Department of Physics kick-started 2025 by organising a research day on Saturday, 11th January. This event, the first of its kind on the campus, was inaugurated by Prof. Suman Kundu, Director BITS Pilani - K.K. Birla Goa Campus and Prof. Meenal Kowshik, Dean of Administration. The entire day was full of highlight talks and posters on diverse topics of experimental/ computational/ mathematical research on fundamental and applied physics by all the faculties and PhD students of the department.
Excitement, world-class quality of research, and its presentations and engagement with newly joined students as well as undergraduate students of the department have made the event extremely successful. A panel discussion on utilising research facilities via interdisciplinary collaborations, engagement with industries, translating research to innovation, and finally, discussing career opportunities after a PhD were among the most valuable components of the event.
Advancing Sustainability through Science & Technology Integration
BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus proudly hosted VALORIZATION 2025, the second edition of the International Conference on Science & Technology Integration for Circular Economy, from January 23-24, 2025, with a post-conference hands-on workshop on January 25, 2025.
With 66 participants from 5 countries representing 28 institutions across 18 cities, this hybrid event emphasized inclusivity, collaboration, and actionable solutions to tackle pressing global challenges like climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation.
Key highlights included:
- 61 presentations and 6 invited lectures on transformative themes such as renewable energy, biomethanation, and waste management.
- A balanced representation of 38 female and 28 male participants, fostering diversity in innovation.
- A post-conference workshop focused on bridging theory and practice in areas like waste-to-energy systems.
Awards
BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus comes 2nd in the IEEE APSCON 2025
A hearty congratulations to Prof. Sanket Goel, Pavar Sai Kumar, PhD and Parvathy Nair, from the MMNE Lab (Pyrome Innovations Private Limited) at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, for their outstanding achievement!
They have secured the 2nd prize in the Startup Challenge in the prestigious 𝗜𝗘𝗘𝗘 𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 Conference hosted by IEEE Sensors Council at 𝗜𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱, for their innovative work in 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘀-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆. This accomplishment highlights their dedication, ingenuity, and passion for advancing cutting-edge technology. It's inspiring to see young minds making such significant strides in the field of nanotechnology!
Innovation & Collaboration
BITS Pilani and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru Sign an MoU
We are proud to announce that Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Bengaluru & Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on January 28th, 2025, to foster collaboration in areas of academic programs, research & development & outreach programs.
The objectives of this Memorandum of Understanding are:
1. To promote interaction between JNCASR and BITS in mutually beneficial areas.
2. To provide a formal basis for initiating interaction between JNCASR and BITS
Short-term consultancy projects and long-term research projects have also been named that shall facilitate innovation and research between the two parties. This collaboration shall build an ecosystem where the academia and the industry work in close collaboration on research problems, technology challenges and product innovation.
Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: BPDC Renews MoU with ICBA
We are delighted to announce the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Birla Institute Of Technology and Science, Pilani Dubai (BPDC), and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) on 17th January 2025.
This renewed partnership, initiated over a decade ago by the Department of Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani)-Dubai, reaffirms our shared commitment to pioneering research in key areas such as environmentally sustainable biofertilizers, saline agriculture, plant genetic resources, and molecular biology.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Scholars from both institutions benefit from dual guidance by leading experts.
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Research findings have been presented at renowned conferences and published in esteemed journals.
A brand new 5G Use Case Lab unveiled at BITS Pilani
We are pleased to announce the official inauguration of the 5G Use Case Lab at the EEE Department BITS Pilani - Pilani Campus. This lab, awarded by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India and supported by the Department of Telecommunications (DOT), Government of India, marks a significant milestone in advancing 5G research and applications.
The inauguration ceremony was held on January 12, 2025, and was graced by the esteemed presence of Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, and Prof. Sudhirkumar V Barai, Director, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, along with other distinguished dignitaries and senior professors from the institute.
BITS Pilani Inaugurates the Advanced Research Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies (ARCSET)
BITS Pilani is inaugurating an Advanced Research Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies (ARCSET), a multi-campus Centre of Excellence focused on advancing clean energy solutions. This landmark initiative highlights the institution’s commitment to addressing global energy challenges through cutting-edge research and sustainable innovation. Additionally, ARCSET will concentrate on key verticals like Hydrogen Production, Storage and Utilization, Biofuels, Renewable and Alternative Energy and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).
BITS Pilani will thus work on a technology platform that combines advanced tools, innovative processes, and skilled human resources to tackle some of India’s most pressing challenges. These initiatives will enhance collaborations between academia, industry, and start-ups, accelerating India’s journey towards net-zero emissions.
Directorate General of Training (DGT), MSDE, inks Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BITS Pilani for incubation program for fostering entrepreneurship
In a bid to strengthen industry-academia partnerships and promote entrepreneurship, the Directorate General of Training (DGT) inked an MoU with the Pilani Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Society, BITS Pilani, for conducting innovation and incubation programs for NSTI students and make them future-ready. This collaboration will instill more opportunities for start-ups.
The partnership has two major components: The Innovation Challenge and The Open Incubation Program. The Innovation Challenge encourages NSTI trainees and alumni, featuring an Open Track for all participants and a Women NSTI Track that helps women pursue entrepreneurship and fill the gender gap in innovation. The Open Incubation Program is a 6-month grant-based initiative that covers ideation, incubation, mentorship, workshops, and funding to help participants scale their ideas.
BITSAT 2025 Application
Start Date - 21 January 2025
Deadline - 18 April 2025
Stay updated with the latest BITS Pilani Admission Test (BITSAT 2025) announcements—directly from the official source.
Disclaimer: BITS Pilani admissions are strictly based on the BITSAT exam, and application forms link are only available on the official website – https://bitsadmission.com/. There are no other entry methods, no agents, and no partner organizations. Beware of any unauthorized entities claiming otherwise.
