Kumar Mangalam Birla, Aditya Birla Group Chairman and Chancellor of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, announced an entire Rs 2,200 crore investment plan in a press release on July 13, 2025 during the institution convocation that has the potential to change the face of higher education in India. The new project involves three broad developments that will see the institution emerge stronger among architecture engineering institutions in India.

Transformational AI+Campus to be launched in Amaravati

The highlight of this investment will be a state-of-the-art AI+ campus being developed in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, which will be given a budget of 1000 crore. The 35 acre next-generation innovation hub is a giant step towards advanced education in artificial intelligence in India.

It will provide undergraduate twinning degrees in exchange with the top universities around the world as well as cotutelle doctoral degrees with top global institutions and master degrees with a specialization in AI/ML, innovation and strategy. The features of this campus are also distinctive, as this campus focuses on the experiential and adaptive curriculum, an entrepreneurship-first mindset, and flexible learning pathways that can accommodate the needs of the digital economy.

The growth will be made in two strategic stages. Phase 1 will house 3,000 students, including the basic academic infrastructure and student life whereabouts. Phase Two will increase capacity to more than 7,000 students and include new-generation research facilities, international research and innovation zones, and entrepreneurship precincts based on practical, modular, sustainable infrastructure.

Vistaar Project—Modernization of Existing Infrastructure

With Project Vistaar, BITS Pilani has invested 1,219 crore (INR) in the expansion and modernization of its existing campuses in Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad. It is a complete modernization program, which also has 60 crore inline to be used to convert undergraduate labs to international levels.

The project seeks to expand the number of students that will be accommodated in the institution from the current number of 18,700 to a value of about 26,000 by the year 2030-31. The increase will augment the long-term research facilities, provide a better general student experience and have better international ties globally with the international institutions.

Launch of Digital education platform

The third part of this investment will bring on board BITS Pilani Digital, a groundbreaking platform that will make higher education more inclusive. There is no vision of the National Education Policy to access lifelong learning in the traditional EdTech platform, unlike this initiative, which is in line with the vision of the National Education Policy.

BITS Pilani Digital is set to unveil 32 fully-fledged program offerings in the next five years (consisting of 11 degree programs and 21 certificate programs) covering 10,000 learners each, with an overall target of more than 100,000 learners. The platform focuses on low cost and level of service quality, unlike those of the other technical institutes that offer premium services.

Strategic Vision of Indian Knowledge Economy

Addressing the convocation assembly where former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was present, Birla said that such projects show a commitment to reformulating higher education, both physically and virtually, in BITS Pilani. Such efforts are not a one-time play of scale but the creation of a transformational ecosystem that is empowering learners, enabling innovation, and enabling growth in an inclusive manner, he explained.

The investment aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating a trillion-dollar academic ecosystem, positioning India for a digital, global future. For over six decades, BITS Pilani has maintained its reputation for academic excellence, pioneering innovation, and nation-building through values-driven leadership.

The choice of Amaravati for the new campus was influenced by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s enthusiasm for establishing a BITS presence in the state, with the government making large tracts of land available at subsidized rates.

Vice-Chancellor V. Ramgopal Rao highlighted that these initiatives reaffirm BITS Pilani’s vision to create an institution responsive to global needs, deeply connected to industry, and driven by excellence. The expansion will not only scale the institution’s impact but also establish new standards for how higher education can serve society at large.

Summary

This substantial investment marks a pivotal moment for BITS Pilani, promising to enhance its capacity to produce skilled professionals, innovative thinkers, and successful entrepreneurs who will contribute to India’s continued growth on the global stage.