BITS ISA 2026 Application Opens on 1 December, Registration Window Till 6 April

The Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, has announced the application schedule for its International Student Admission (ISA) 2026 scheme. The online application window is set to open on December 1, 2025, and will close on April 6, 2026. This non-BITSAT route is specifically for foreign nationals and requires a valid Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) score for merit-based admission into B.E., B.Pharm., and M.Sc. programs at the Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses. Aspiring global students must meet the strict academic and SAT score criteria to apply.

For international engineering aspirants targeting a world-class education in India, the path to the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) has been formally outlined. BITS Pilani, an Institution of Eminence, has officially confirmed the dates for its International Student Admission (ISA) 2026 process. This specialized admission channel is designed exclusively for students holding foreign passports (Foreign Nationals) and offers a competitive, merit-based alternative to the standard BITSAT examination utilized by domestic students.

​The online application window is slated to open on December 1, 2025, and will remain active until April 6, 2026. This lengthy window provides sufficient time for applicants globally to finalize their submissions, which are evaluated primarily on their performance in the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). The ISA scheme is a direct route for global students to secure seats in Integrated First Degree programmes—B.E., B.Pharm., and M.Sc.—across BITS Pilani’s campuses in Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa, and Hyderabad. Aspirants must now focus on ensuring they meet both the strict academic percentage criteria and possess a competitive SAT score.

​ Strict Eligibility Criteria: Academics and SAT Score

​Admission through the ISA scheme is rigorously merit-driven and requires candidates to satisfy high standards in both their school-leaving examination (Class 12 or equivalent) and their standardized test scores. Failing to meet even one criterion will render the application ineligible.

• ​Nationality Requirement: 
  • ​The scheme is exclusively for Foreign Nationals (holding a foreign passport).
• ​Minimum Academic Score: 
  • ​Candidates must have passed the Class 12 examination or its equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) for most B.E. programmes, or Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) for B.Pharm.
  • ​A minimum aggregate of 75\% is mandatory in the required core subjects (PCM/PCB).
  • ​Additionally, candidates must have secured at least 60\% marks individually in each of these three core subjects.
• ​Mandatory SAT Score Requirement:
  • ​Admission decisions are based on the SAT score, bypassing the BITSAT exam.
  • ​Candidates must have a minimum aggregate score of 1160 out of 1600 from the combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Mathematics sections.
  • ​The SAT score considered must be from an examination taken not earlier than February 1, 2023.

​ Critical Application and Iteration Deadlines

​International applicants must adhere to a strict set of deadlines not only for the application submission but also for score reporting and subsequent admission offers (known as iterations). Missing the score submission deadline will invalidate the application even if the form was submitted on time.

• ​Application Window: 
  • ​Opens: December 1, 2025
  • ​Closes: April 6, 2026
• ​Correction Window: 
  • ​The brief period for editing non-critical application details runs from April 10, 2026, to April 15, 2026.
• ​Last Date for SAT Score Submission:
  • ​Candidates must ensure their SAT scores are officially sent directly to BITS Pilani through the College Board platform by April 15, 2026. This is a non-negotiable hard deadline.
• ​Admission Iterations Schedule:
  • ​The merit list and first list of admission offers (Iteration I) will be released on April 24, 2026.
  • ​Subsequent iterations (II and III) follow in May 2026.
  • ​The final rounds of allotment (Iterations IV, V, and VI) occur in July 2026, with the final reporting for the first five iterations scheduled for July 23, 2026.

​ Strategic Planning for International Applicants

​The ISA process requires meticulous planning, especially for students who are currently in the final year of high school and may not have their final Class 12 scores yet.

• ​Early Application is Key: Although the deadline is April 6, 2026, candidates are strongly advised to complete the online application as soon as possible after December 1, 2025. This allows time to resolve any technical issues and ensure documents are verified.
• ​Provisional Application: Students who are awaiting their final Class 12 results or their SAT scores can still fill and submit the application form. However, they must arrange for their final scores/grades to be updated through the College Board (for SAT) or submitted directly to BITS by the April 15, 2026, deadline.
• ​Document Preparation: International applicants must prepare a comprehensive set of documents, including a valid foreign passport, academic transcripts for Classes 10 and 12, the official SAT score report, and proof of foreign nationality. All documents must be ready in the required format for upload.
• ​Scholarship Opportunities: BITS Pilani often provides a minimum tuition fee scholarship (e.g., 15% for the first semester, as seen in past years) to ISA admitted students. Aspirants should check the official ISA brochure for the 2026-27 session for the latest scholarship details and explore any merit-based financial aid options available.

​Conclusion

​The opening of the BITS ISA 2026 application window on December 1, 2025, marks the formal commencement of admission for international students seeking admission to one of India’s most reputed technical institutions. The process, which relies entirely on SAT scores and high academic merit, offers a transparent and direct route into B.E., B.Pharm., and M.Sc. programs. Prospective global students must prioritize submitting their applications accurately before the April 6, 2026 deadline and ensure their requisite SAT scores are reported by the hard cut-off of April 15, 2026.

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