Planning to study at BITS Pilani? You’re not alone. Thousands of students appear for BITSAT each year, hoping to join one of the most prestigious private engineering colleges in India. But along with preparing for the exam, it’s equally important to understand the full cost of studying at BITS.
Many students and parents worry about how much they’ll need to pay during the four years of a B.Tech program. Fees can add up quickly, and without a clear breakdown, it’s hard to plan ahead. From tuition to hostel and mess charges, and even one-time payments, every detail matters.
This article will give you a complete and simple explanation of the BITS Pilani fee structure. Whether you’re aiming for the Pilani, Goa, or Hyderabad campus, we’ll help you calculate your total expenses. You’ll also learn about scholarships, extra costs, and how fees change each year. Let’s break it down step by step.
Understanding the BITS Pilani Fee Structure
If you are planning to study at BITS Pilani, understanding the full fee structure is very important. Many students and parents focus only on the tuition fee, but the total cost of education includes several other components. These fees can be one-time or recurring. Some charges are fixed, while others may vary depending on the campus and personal lifestyle.
In this section, we will explain each part of the fee structure in detail. We will also provide a clear comparison between the three BITS campuses: Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad.
1) Tuition Fee: The tuition fee is the main academic charge. It covers the cost of teaching, use of labs, access to academic buildings, and use of learning resources. This is the largest part of the total fee. Students pay this every semester. The tuition fee is the same across all three campuses. The institute has a policy of increasing the tuition fee by 5% every academic year. So, the amount you pay in the first year will increase in the following years.
2) Admission Fee: This is a one-time fee that students pay only once during the first semester of the first year. It is not refundable. It covers the cost of admission processing, identity cards, records, and other administrative charges. All students, regardless of their campus, must pay the same amount.
3) Hostel Fee: This fee includes the cost of accommodation for students staying on campus. The hostel fee varies depending on the campus. At the Pilani campus, the hostel fee is slightly lower compared to the Goa and Hyderabad campuses. Hostel rooms are mostly shared, and the charges cover the cost of basic maintenance and infrastructure. Students pay hostel fees every semester. If a student stays for the summer term, an additional summer hostel fee is charged separately.
4) Mess and Electricity Advance: This is an advance amount collected every semester to cover mess charges (food) and electricity bills. The actual usage is calculated at the end of the semester, and the remaining amount is adjusted. If you use less, you may get a refund. If you use more, you have to pay the extra amount.
Students do not have to pay mess charges daily. This advance system ensures that all food and electricity bills are managed smoothly without the need for daily payments.
5) Other Advances: This includes a general advance that the institute collects for unexpected or additional expenses. These could include lab materials, internet use, fines, or library expenses. Like the mess advance, this amount is also adjusted at the end of the semester. It ensures that students do not have to pay small amounts repeatedly.
6) Students’ Union and Aid Fund: These are small amounts collected each semester to support student activities and welfare. The Students’ Union Fee supports events, clubs, and student-run initiatives. The Aid Fund is used to help students in financial need. These fees are the same across all campuses.
7) Caution Deposit: This is a one-time refundable deposit collected during admission. It is returned at the end of your course if there are no damages or unpaid dues. It covers possible damage to hostel property, labs, or other institute equipment. Make sure to keep your records clean if you want a full refund.
BITS Campus-Wise Fee Differences
The tuition fee, admission fee, and caution deposit are the same for all BITS campuses. However, the hostel fees at Goa and Hyderabad are higher than Pilani. This is mainly due to the location and infrastructure. Mess and electricity charges are also slightly higher in Goa and Hyderabad. So, students choosing these campuses should be ready for a slightly higher overall cost.
Understanding these details helps you and your family plan better. When you know exactly what each fee covers, you can manage your budget wisely and avoid last-minute surprises.
| Fees | Pilani Campus | Goa Campus | Hyderabad Campus |
| Admission Fees* | 57,100/- | 57,100/- | 57,100/- |
| Semester/Term Fees | |||
| First Semester* | 2,59,500/- | 2,59,500/- | 2,59,500/- |
| Second Semester | 2,59,500/- | 2,59,500/- | 2,59,500/- |
| Summer Term | 90,800/- | 90,800/- | 90,800/- |
| Students’ Union Fee* | 450/- | 450/- | 450/- |
| Students’ Aid Fund* | 225/- | 225/- | 225/- |
| Hostel Fee (on-campus only) | |||
| First Semester* | 20,650/- | 27,750/- | 27,750/- |
| Second Semester | 20,650/- | 27,750/- | 27,750/- |
| Summer Term | 10,325/- | 13,875/- | 13,875/- |
| Mess & Electricity Advance | |||
| First Semester* | 10,000/- | 10,000/- | 10,000/- |
| Second Semester | 10,000/- | 10,000/- | 10,000/- |
| Summer Term | 5,000/- | 5,000/- | 5,000/- |
| (Payable at beginning of term; adjustable at end) | |||
| Other Advances | |||
| First Semester* | 12,000/- | 12,000/- | 12,000/- |
| Second Semester | 12,000/- | 12,000/- | 12,000/- |
| (Payable at beginning of term; adjustable at end) | |||
| Institute Caution Deposit* | 3,000/- | 3,000/- | 3,000/- |
BITS Fees for 4 Years
When you join BITS Pilani, you pay various types of fees each semester. These include tuition fees, hostel fees, mess advance, and other charges. You also pay some one-time fees during the first semester. In addition, the tuition fees increase by 5% each year, as per institute policy.
Below is a detailed year-wise and semester-wise fee structure for all three BITS campuses: Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad.
First Year (2024–25)
| Fee Component | Amount (₹) | Remarks |
| Admission Fee (One-time) | ₹57,100 | Paid once during first semester only |
| Tuition Fee | ₹2,59,500 | Charged every semester |
| Hostel Fee | Pilani: ₹20,650 Goa/Hyderabad: ₹27,750 | Varies by campus |
| Mess & Electricity Advance | ₹10,000 | Adjustable at the end of the semester |
| Other Advances | ₹12,000 | For internet, printing, fines, etc. |
| Students’ Union Fee | ₹450 | Paid every semester |
| Aid Fund | ₹225 | Used for emergency student support |
| Caution Deposit (Refundable) | ₹3,000 | Returned at course completion if no dues |
Semester 1 Total
| Campus | Total (₹) |
| Pilani | ₹3,62,925 |
| Goa/Hyderabad | ₹3,70,025 |
Semester 2: Repeated Charges (Admission & Caution Fee Excluded)
| Fee Component | Amount (₹) | Remarks |
| Tuition Fee | ₹2,59,500 | Remains same for Semester 2 |
| Hostel Fee | Pilani: ₹20,650Goa/Hyderabad: ₹27,750 | Same as Semester 1 |
| Mess & Electricity Advance | ₹10,000 | Adjustable |
| Other Advances | ₹12,000 | Same as before |
| Students’ Union Fee | ₹450 | Repeated each semester |
| Aid Fund | ₹225 | Repeated each semester |
Semester 2 Total
| Campus | Total (₹) |
| Pilani | ₹3,02,825 |
| Goa/Hyderabad | ₹3,09,925 |
Summer Term (2024)
Many students attend the summer term for additional courses or Practice School. This term has its own set of fees.
| Fee Component | Pilani (₹) | Goa/Hyderabad (₹) | Remarks |
| Tuition Fee | ₹90,800 | ₹90,800 | For summer term course or PS |
| Hostel Fee | ₹10,325 | ₹13,875 | Lower than regular semester |
| Mess & Electricity Advance | ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 | Adjustable |
Summer Term Total
| Campus | Total (₹) |
| Pilani | ₹1,06,125 |
| Goa/Hyderabad | ₹1,09,675 |
Total Cost for First Year (2024–25)
| Campus | Semester 1 (₹) | Semester 2 (₹) | Summer Term (₹) | Total (₹) |
| Pilani | ₹3,62,925 | ₹3,02,825 | ₹1,06,125 | ₹7,71,875 |
| Goa/Hyderabad | ₹3,70,025 | ₹3,09,925 | ₹1,09,675 | ₹7,89,625 |
Second Year (2025–26)
Tuition fees increase by 5%. Other fees remain mostly unchanged.
| Fee Component | Per Semester (₹) | Yearly Total (₹) |
| Tuition Fee (5% hike) | ₹2,72,475 | ₹5,44,950 |
| Hostel Fee | Pilani: ₹20,650 × 2Goa/Hyderabad: ₹27,750 × 2 | Pilani: ₹41,300Goa/Hyderabad: ₹55,500 |
| Mess & Electricity Advance | ₹10,000 × 2 | ₹20,000 |
| Other Advances | ₹12,000 × 2 | ₹24,000 |
| Students’ Union + Aid Fund | ₹675 × 2 | ₹1,350 |
Total for Year 2
| Campus | Year Total (₹) |
| Pilani | ₹6,31,600 |
| Goa/Hyderabad | ₹6,45,800 |
If you take a summer course:
| Campus | + Summer Term (₹) | Total (₹) |
| Pilani | + ₹1,06,125 | ₹7,37,725 |
| Goa/Hyderabad | + ₹1,09,675 | ₹7,55,475 |
Third Year (2026–27)
Another 5% hike is applied to tuition fees.
| Fee Component | Per Semester (₹) | Annual Total (₹) |
| Tuition Fee (5% hike) | ₹2,86,100 | ₹5,72,200 |
| Hostel Fee | Pilani: ₹41,300Goa/Hyderabad: ₹55,500 | Same as last year |
| Mess & Electricity Advance | ₹20,000 | |
| Other Advances | ₹24,000 | |
| Students’ Union + Aid Fund | ₹1,350 |
Total for Year 3
| Campus | Year Total (₹) |
| Pilani | ₹6,58,850 |
| Goa/Hyderabad | ₹6,73,050 |
Practice School Option
If a student opts for Practice School (PS-II) instead of a regular semester:
Practice School Fee: 35% of previous year’s semester fee
= 35% of ₹2,72,475 = ₹95,366
This replaces one semester’s tuition but not hostel or mess. So total may differ.
Fourth Year (2027–28)
Final year has another 5% hike in tuition. Additional project/thesis costs may also apply.
| Fee Component | Per Semester (₹) | Annual Total (₹) |
| Tuition Fee (5% hike) | ₹3,00,400 | ₹6,00,800 |
| Hostel Fee | Pilani: ₹41,300Goa/Hyderabad: ₹55,500 | |
| Mess & Electricity Advance | ₹20,000 | |
| Other Advances | ₹24,000 | |
| Students’ Union + Aid Fund | ₹1,350 |
Total for Year 4
| Campus | Year Total (₹) |
| Pilani | ₹6,87,450 |
| Goa/Hyderabad | ₹7,01,650 |
Total Estimated Cost Over 4 Years
| Year | Pilani (₹) | Goa/Hyderabad (₹) |
| Year 1 | ₹7,71,875 | ₹7,89,625 |
| Year 2 | ₹7,37,725 | ₹7,55,475 |
| Year 3 | ₹6,58,850 | ₹6,73,050 |
| Year 4 | ₹6,87,450 | ₹7,01,650 |
| Total | ₹30,55,900 | ₹31,19,800 |
This is the approximate total fee a student pays over four years at BITS, including optional summer terms. Costs may increase slightly based on lifestyle, club activities, or projects. Always check the latest fee circular on the official BITS website for updates.
BITSAT Scholarships & Financial Assistance
BITS Pilani is committed to helping students who face financial difficulties or show excellent academic performance. The institute provides various scholarships, fellowships, and financial aid schemes. These benefits are given to both deserving and needy students. Every year, about 30% of students at BITS receive some form of financial assistance. This can be in the form of merit-based or merit-cum-need-based scholarships.
The purpose of these scholarships is to reduce the burden of tuition fees. While the cost of studying at BITS is high, the institute ensures that bright students are not held back due to financial reasons.
Institute Merit Scholarships (Merit-Based)
BITS offers scholarships to students who perform extremely well in academics. These scholarships are awarded every semester based on the student’s performance. These are known as merit awards. Merit Scholarship Details:
| Rank Among Students | Scholarship Amount |
| Top 2% of students | 100% of tuition fee |
| Next 1% of students | 50% of tuition fee |
This scholarship is purely based on academic performance and does not consider the financial background of the student. Students must perform well in their semester exams and maintain good academic standing to qualify.
Institute Merit-Cum-Need Scholarships
This scholarship is given to students based on both their academic performance and family income. These are known as merit-cum-need awards. Students must perform well and also show proof of financial need. Merit-Cum-Need Scholarship Details:
| Category of Student | Scholarship Amount |
| Top 5% of students | 100% of tuition fee |
| Next top 2% of students | 50% of tuition fee |
| Next top 5% of students | 25% of tuition fee |
| Next top 10% of students | 10% of tuition fee |
These awards help students from lower-income families continue their education at BITS without worrying too much about tuition fees. To apply for this scholarship, students usually need to submit family income proof along with academic records.
Key Points to Remember
- Admission Fee Is Not Waived: Scholarships only apply to tuition fees. Admission fees, caution deposits, hostel fees, and other charges must be paid in full by the student.
- Scholarships Are Semester-Based: All scholarships are awarded for one semester only. Their continuation in the next semester depends on the student’s academic performance and conduct.
If a student fails to meet these conditions, the scholarship may be reduced or cancelled. If you are worried about the fees at BITS, do not lose hope. The institute provides strong financial support through its scholarship programs. Make sure to study hard and aim for high marks to become eligible. If you belong to a low-income family, prepare your income documents in advance. Stay updated with official scholarship announcements on the BITS website.
By using scholarships, financial aid, and loans, many students at BITS complete their degrees successfully. You can do it too with the right plan and effort.
Conclusion
Understanding the full fee structure of BITS Pilani is very important before you take admission. Over four years, you will need to pay for tuition, hostel, mess, books, and other living expenses. The fees also increase by 5% every year, which adds to the total cost. So, it is better to plan your finances early.
This guide has explained each part of the fee in a clear and simple way. You now know how much you may spend every semester and what extra charges to expect. We have also included campus-wise comparisons, scholarship options, and loan details to help you further.
If you are serious about joining BITS, keep this information in mind while preparing for BITSAT. Good planning can reduce your stress later. Also, check for updates on the official BITS website regularly to stay informed. With the right support, your BITS journey can be both exciting and affordable.
FAQs
1) Can the BITS Pilani fees change after admission?
A: Yes. BITS Pilani increases the tuition fee by 5% every academic year. This is a standard policy. Other fees like hostel or mess charges may also change slightly. Additionally, if the government introduces any new tax rules, they may apply to student fees.
2) Are there installment options for paying the fees?
A: No, BITS does not allow installment payments. Fees must be paid in full at the beginning of each semester. This includes tuition, hostel, mess advance, and other charges. Students must ensure timely payment to avoid penalties or loss of enrollment.
3) Is the admission fee refundable if I withdraw my admission?
A: The admission fee is non-refundable. If you leave after confirming admission, you will not get this amount back. However, the caution deposit (₹3,000) is refundable at the end of the course, provided there are no damages or unpaid dues.
4) What happens if I leave BITS Pilani in the middle of a semester?
A: If you withdraw in the middle of a semester, partial refunds may apply depending on the time of withdrawal and the refund policy in place. The institute usually follows guidelines approved by regulatory bodies. However, full semester fees are generally not refunded.
5) Can I get a scholarship every semester?
A: Yes, but you must meet the scholarship conditions. Scholarships at BITS are awarded per semester. To continue receiving them, you need to maintain good academic performance and conduct. If your performance drops or if you violate campus rules, your scholarship may be withdrawn.
