BITS to invest Rs 1,219 crore in Goa, Pilani, Hyderabad campuses; AI+ institute coming up in Amravati

Birla Institute of Science and Technology (BITS) Pilani has announced a series of initiative, including a new AI plus campus, a Rs 1,219 crore investment, and EdTech platform. The announcement was made by Chancellor Kumar Mangalam Birla during the 2025 convocation ceremony held today.

BITS will invest Rs 1,219 crore to expand and upgrade infrastructure across its Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad campuses. As part the plan, Rs 60 crore will be allocated for upgrading undergraduate laboratories to world-class standard.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI)+ campus of BITS will be set up in Amravati, Andhra Pradesh under the Project Vistaar across 35 acres. The BITS Pilani Digital platform will offer undergraduate (UG) programmes along with doctoral degrees with top global institutions, a master’s programmes in AI/ML, Innovation, and strategy, as per the official press release.

Chancellor Birla said: “The latest initiatives reflect our continued commitment to reimagining higher education in both physical and digital realms. These efforts are not just about scale but also about building a transformative ecosystem that empowers learners, nurtures innovation, and fuels inclusive growth. They will also help lay the foundation for India’s knowledge economy, aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of a trillion-dollar academic ecosystem, and preparing the nation for a digital, global future.”

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BITS Pilani Digital to offer 32 programmes

Aligning with the National Education Policy’s push for better education standards, the AI+ platform will offer flexible, industry-aligned programs. Over the next five years, BITS Pilani Digital aims to launch 32 programs (including 11 degrees and 21 certificates) and reach over 100,000 learners, the official press release adds.

“Learners will engage in real-world projects, gain career support, and have the option of campus immersions to build connections within the BITS community and industry,” the chancellor added.

“The student intake across campuses is projected to increase from over 18,700 to approximately 26,000 by academic year 2030–31. This physical expansion is coupled with strategic development of new interdisciplinary programs aligned with future industry and global trends,” the official statement reads.

V Ramgopal Rao, vice chancellor, BITS Pilani said: “Our focus at BITS Pilani has always been to stay ahead of the curve, whether in academic innovation, global research collaboration, or student experience. With these new initiatives, we are reaffirming our vision to create an institution that is responsive to the world’s changing needs, deeply connected to industry, and driven by a spirit of purpose and excellence. These efforts will not only scale the impact of BITS Pilani but also set new standards in how higher education can serve society at large.”