BITS begins 2026 international student admissions — application window opens on 1 December 2025

International students The application window for BITS Pilani's International Student Admissions (ISA) for the 2026-27 academic session is set to open on December 1, 2025. This is your exclusive path to undergraduate programs (B.E., M.Sc., B.Pharm) at the prestigious BITS campuses in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad. The deadline for online submission is April 6, 2026. This unique, merit-based admission route is crucial for NRIs, PIOs, and Foreign Nationals seeking a world-class engineering education in India. Prepare your documents now for the December opening.

The Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, an Institution of Eminence and one of India's most prestigious private technical universities, has confirmed the timeline for its International Student Admissions (ISA) 2026 cycle. This highly competitive and direct admission route is exclusively designed for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Foreign Nationals (FN) who are seeking admission to the integrated first-degree programs (B.E., M.Sc., and B.Pharm) across its three Indian campuses: Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad.

​The much-anticipated application window for ISA 2026 will officially open on December 1, 2025. This announcement, dated November 22, 2025, provides a crucial five-month window for global aspirants. The strict deadline for submitting the online application is April 6, 2026. Unlike the domestic admissions, which require the BITSAT exam, the ISA path relies on the applicant's academic merit in qualifying examinations (like Class 12 or equivalent). This presents a fantastic opportunity for students worldwide to access BITS Pilani's world-class faculty, flexible academic structure, and impressive placement records.

​ Eligibility & Accepted Qualifications for ISA 2026

​The International Student Admission (ISA) policy is distinct from the regular BITSAT-based admissions and has specific, stringent criteria for academic qualification and residency status. Meeting these requirements is mandatory for consideration.

• ​Residency Status: The ISA scheme is exclusively for candidates who fall under the categories of: 
  • ​Non-Resident Indian (NRI): Defined as an Indian citizen residing outside India.
  • ​Person of Indian Origin (PIO): An individual who holds a PIO Card/OCI Card.
  • ​Foreign National (FN): A citizen of any country other than India.
• ​Academic Qualification: 
  • ​Qualifying Examination: Applicants must have passed the qualifying examination (equivalent to the Indian 10+2 system/Class 12) from a recognized Board or University in their respective countries.
  • ​Mandatory Subjects: For B.E. and B.Pharm programs, the applicant must have taken Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). For the M.Sc. programs, the combination of subjects may vary, but typically includes PCM.
  • ​Minimum Marks: Candidates must obtain a minimum of 60\% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination. However, admission is highly competitive, and actual admitted scores are often much higher.
• ​International Curricula Acceptance: BITS Pilani accepts a wide range of international qualifications, including: 
  • ​GCE Advanced Level (A-Level)
  • ​International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
  • ​High School Diploma (from accredited US institutions)
  • ​Other equivalent school systems (e.g., CBSE/ICSE equivalent).
• ​English Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in English is required, usually through the qualifying exam or tests like TOEFL/IELTS (though often not mandatory if the medium of instruction was English).

​The Online Application Process: Dec 1 to Apr 6 Timeline

​The application process is entirely online and must be meticulously completed within the specified five-month window. Early application is strongly advised, as admissions are typically processed in batches.

• ​Application Portal: The online application form will be available exclusively on the dedicated BITS Pilani ISA Admission website starting December 1, 2025. Candidates must be wary of third-party portals and use only the official BITS URL.
• ​Registration and Form Filling:
  • ​Create a unique login ID using a valid email address.
  • ​Fill in personal details, educational history, and choose the desired program(s) and campus preference (Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad). BITS offers integrated programs like B.E. Computer Science, B.E. Mechanical, M.Sc. Economics, and B.Pharm.
• ​Document Upload: Key documents that must be uploaded (scanned copies): 
  • ​Academic Transcripts/Mark sheets: Final Class 10 and Class 12 (or equivalent) mark sheets.
  • ​Passport/Visa Copy: Proof of NRI/PIO/FN status (e.g., passport pages showing residency, OCI/PIO card).
  • ​Proof of Fee Payment: Receipt of the non-refundable application fee payment.
  • ​Photograph and Signature: Recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature.
• ​Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee (typically higher than the domestic fee, often around ₹3,000 or equivalent USD) must be paid online via the provided payment gateway to finalize the submission.

​Merit-Based Selection and BITS Pilani's Global Edge

​Unlike the domestic admission route which involves the BITSAT entrance test, the ISA route employs a direct merit-based selection process, where academic excellence in the qualifying examination is the primary criterion.

• ​Merit-Based Shortlisting: Candidates are shortlisted based on their aggregate marks in the qualifying examination (Class 12 or equivalent). The selection committee prepares a rank list based on normalized scores, prioritizing top performers for the limited ISA seats.
• ​Program Flexibility: BITS Pilani is famous for its dual-degree (M.Sc. + B.E. option) and its Practice School (PS) program, which offers mandatory, intensive industry exposure. ISA students benefit equally from these unique academic features.
• ​Placement Parity: ISA students enjoy the same excellent placement opportunities as their domestic counterparts. BITS Pilani consistently records high average salaries. 
  • ​Highest International CTC: Frequently exceeds INR 60 LPA 
  • ​Average CTC: Consistently in the INR 18-20 LPA range.
  • ​Top Recruiters: Global tech giants (Google, Microsoft), premier consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG), and core engineering companies (Schlumberger, Honeywell) actively recruit from all BITS campuses.

​Conclusion

​The opening of the BITS Pilani ISA 2026 application window on December 1, 2025, marks the beginning of a crucial period for global engineering aspirants. With the submission deadline set for April 6, 2026, international students must utilize this time to gather required documentation and submit a strong application that highlights their academic merit. This is the direct, prestigious pathway to accessing one of India's finest engineering institutions. Do not miss this opportunity to pursue a world-class education at BITS Pilani.

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