BITS Pilani Goa Convocation 2026: 1,109 degrees conferred, 720 research publications recorded

The Krishna Kumar Birla (K K Birla) Goa Campus of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani hosted its 2026 convocation, where 1,109 students were conferred degrees. The graduating cohort included 674 first-degree students, 257 dual-degree students, 121 higher-degree students and 57 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholars.

Rakesh Kumar Verma, a BITS Pilani alumnus and co-founder, chairman and managing director of MapmyIndia, was the chief guest. BITS Pilani Group Vice Chancellor V Ramgopal Rao, Goa campus Director Suman Kundu, faculty members, officials, graduates and their families also attended the ceremony.

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BITS Pilani Convocation 2026: Medals and academic awards

Among the first-degree graduates, Shamit Khetan secured the gold medal, while Vrishti Deepak Godhwani and Aditya Ashok Tailor received the silver and bronze medals. For higher-degree programmes, Sumit Sakharam Ghodke and Rudraksh Alias Bhagwant Mukund Suryarao Sardesai jointly won the Gold Medal. Vignesh A and Neelima M were awarded the silver medal.

The institute also recognised research and academic accomplishments through the Suman Kapur Memorial best PhD thesis award 2026 and the Raghurama outstanding student award 2025-26.

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Goa campus expands programmes, research

As part of its academic initiatives, the campus added Master of Engineering (ME) programmes in quantum science and technology and quantum information processing. It also introduced a minor in computing and intelligence and a 2+2 computer science programme in collaboration with RMIT University, Australia.

The campus has received 91 sponsored research projects valued at more than Rs 30.72 crore and recorded 720 research publications. The research work spans areas including quantum technology, green hydrogen, semiconductor devices and navigation systems. The institute has also strengthened its international network through nine new partnerships and expanded its research facilities with new and upgraded laboratories.

Congratulating the graduating students, V Ramgopal Rao said, “As our graduates begin their next chapter, I hope they carry forward the spirit of curiosity, integrity and excellence that defines BITS Pilani. The campus they leave behind is also evolving through a curriculum redesign built around flexible, cross-disciplinary electives and expanded minors—because depth in one discipline is no longer enough. The graduates who will matter most are those who can move fluidly across disciplines.”

“That entrepreneurial spirit is already reflected in the numbers: BITSians have founded 140 deep-tech startups, more than alumni of any other Indian institution, ahead of IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi. Building excellence, ensuring equity, and expanding with purpose - that is the vision guiding BITS Pilani, and the same vision I hope our graduates carry into whatever they build next,” he added.