Key Takeaways
- • BITS Pilani's endowment fund has crossed USD 54 million, 23 months after setting a USD 100 million target, according to group Vice Chancellor V Ramgopal Rao.
- • More than 24 individual alumni and alumni batches have each pledged USD 1 million or more to the endowment.
- • Annual alumni giving reached a record Rs 82 crore in FY 2025-26, a 43 per cent increase year over year and nearly 90 times the FY 2017-18 level when the Alumni Relations Office was established.
- • Cumulative alumni contributions total Rs 256 crore, funding six new research centres and more than 300 scholarships.
Summary
BITS Pilani's endowment fund has crossed USD 54 million, just 23 months after the institute set a target of USD 100 million, according to group Vice Chancellor V Ramgopal Rao, speaking to PTI. The milestone reflects strong backing from the institute's alumni network, with more than 24 individual alumni and alumni batches each pledging USD 1 million or more.
Annual alumni giving reached a record Rs 82 crore in the financial year 2025-26, a 43 per cent rise over the previous year and nearly 90 times the level recorded when the Alumni Relations Office was established in the financial year 2017-18. Cumulative alumni contributions stand at Rs 256 crore. Rao said contributors include founders, CEOs, scientists, reunion batches and companies led by alumni from India and abroad.
According to Rao, alumni funding has supported six new research centres across Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad. These cover artificial intelligence (APPCAIR), semiconductors (CREST), clean energy (ARCSET), social and rural innovation (KRITI), smart electronics manufacturing (Dixon) and advanced materials (AMRIT). Two further centres in space technologies and AI diagnostics are being established.
Scholarship support includes more than 300 awards funded by alumni and corporate contributions, 188 of which went to female students over the past two years. Twenty-five PhD scholars receive support, including 11 through the PhD DRIVE fellowship, which pays a monthly stipend of Rs 60,000. Five endowed chair professorships have also been established, alongside teaching and research awards, including awards for women faculty.
Annual alumni giving reached a record Rs 82 crore in the financial year 2025-26, a 43 per cent rise over the previous year and nearly 90 times the level recorded when the Alumni Relations Office was established in the financial year 2017-18. Cumulative alumni contributions stand at Rs 256 crore. Rao said contributors include founders, CEOs, scientists, reunion batches and companies led by alumni from India and abroad.
According to Rao, alumni funding has supported six new research centres across Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad. These cover artificial intelligence (APPCAIR), semiconductors (CREST), clean energy (ARCSET), social and rural innovation (KRITI), smart electronics manufacturing (Dixon) and advanced materials (AMRIT). Two further centres in space technologies and AI diagnostics are being established.
Scholarship support includes more than 300 awards funded by alumni and corporate contributions, 188 of which went to female students over the past two years. Twenty-five PhD scholars receive support, including 11 through the PhD DRIVE fellowship, which pays a monthly stipend of Rs 60,000. Five endowed chair professorships have also been established, alongside teaching and research awards, including awards for women faculty.
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