On July 14, 2025, BITS Pilani Chancellor Kumar Mangalam Birla and Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu officially announced the establishment of India’s first dedicated AI Plus Campus in the capital city of Amaravati. This greenfield project is part of a massive ₹2,200 crore expansion strategy by the institution.
1. Campus Profile & Timeline
- Investment: ₹1,000 Crore (dedicated solely to the Amaravati campus).
- Location: 35-70 acres in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh (near the Venkateswara Swamy Temple).
- Admission Cycle: Scheduled to begin in 2027.
- Student Capacity: * Phase 1: 3,000 students.
- Phase 2: Scaling up to over 7,000 students.
2. Specialised Academic Focus
The campus is designed as a “digital-first” hub, specialising in high-growth, interdisciplinary technologies:
- Core Disciplines: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Robotics, Cyber-Physical Systems, and Computational Linguistics.
- Global Programs: Will offer undergraduate twinning programs and joint PhDs with top international universities (e.g., RMIT, University at Buffalo).
- Industry Integration: Mandatory industry internships and “Entrepreneurship-First” labs.
3. Design & Sustainability
- Architectural Blend: The campus design will uniquely combine modern, smart infrastructure (IoT-enabled buildings) with traditional temple architecture reflecting local heritage.
- Green Initiative: Will be a carbon-neutral campus utilising renewable energy systems and sustainable modular construction.
4. Project Vistar: The Broader Expansion
While the Amaravati campus is the headline, BITS Pilani also launched Project Vistar (or Vistaar), a ₹1,219 crore initiative to modernise its existing campuses:
- Upgrades: Modernising undergraduate labs (₹60 crore) and adding new academic blocks in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad.
- Total Capacity Goal: Increase total BITS student strength from 18,700 to 26,000 by 2030–31.
- BITS Pilani Digital: A new EdTech platform launched alongside Vistar to reach 100,000 learners through 32 hybrid degree and certificate programs.
5. Leadership Quotes
This campus will be the nerve centre of India’s innovation-led education revolution… shaping the brightest minds for a trillion-dollar academic sector. ~ Kumar Mangalam Birla
“A huge development for Amaravati! This vital contribution builds the tech heartbeat of the upcoming tech capital of India.” — Nara Lokesh (Minister for IT & HRD, AP)