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Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani Alumni 2026 : Notable Alumni & Achievements
Updated on 13 January 2026
location
Pilani, Rajasthan

BITS Pilani is one of India's leading institutions for higher education in engineering, science, and technology. Established in 1964, it has campuses in Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, and Dubai, and boasts a global alumni network of over 200,000 graduates. These BITS Pilani alumni, often referred to as BITSians, have made significant contributions across diverse fields, from technology and business to politics and academia.

BITS Pilani alumni have built India's most formidable startup ecosystem, with ventures like Flipkart, Zomato, and Ola Cabs collectively commanding billions in institutional funding. This network is a powerhouse of innovation. Graduates from this premier technical institute continue to redefine industries from hospitality to fintech. In 2026, the Alma connect platform has transformed these success stories into a cohesive force. It links decades of graduates through mentorship pipelines and venture capital corridors that connect regional alumni chapters from Bangalore to Boston.

Table of Contents

BITS Pilani Alumni 2026: Entrepreneurs and Tech Pioneers

BITS Pilani has nurtured numerous entrepreneurs who have revolutionized industries, particularly in technology and startups. Many have founded globally recognized companies, leveraging their technical education to solve real-world problems. The below section names a few of them:

Name

Notable Achievement / Role

Graduation Details

Sabeer Bhatia

Co-founder of Hotmail (one of the world's first web-based email services, acquired by Microsoft in 1997 for $400 million)

Attended from 1986–1988 (before transferring to Caltech)

Sanjay Mehrotra

Co-founder of SanDisk (pioneer in flash memory technology); current CEO of Micron Technology (leading semiconductor company)

Studied from 1974–1976

Sriharsha Majety

Co-founder and CEO of Swiggy (India's largest food delivery platform, valued at over $10 billion)

2008 graduate

Preetish Nijhawan

Co-founder of Akamai Technologies (global content delivery network provider powering much of the internet's infrastructure)

Attended from 1985–1989

Baba Kalyani

Billionaire industrialist; Chairman of Bharat Forge (one of the world's largest forging companies)

Graduated between 1965–1970

BITS Pilani Alumni 2026: Academia and Research

The legacy of BITS Pilani extends far beyond corporate boardrooms and entrepreneurial ventures, finding its most profound expression in the hallowed halls of academia and research institutions across India. BITS Pilani alumni have established themselves as distinguished professors, researchers, and thought leaders at premier Indian universities including the IITs and IISc, driving innovation in fields ranging from computer science to electrical engineering. The following table highlights distinguished BITS Pilani alumni who have made significant contributions to academic research and institutional leadership:

Alumnus Name

University/Institution

Department/Area of Research

Notable Publications

Awards/Recognition

Year of Graduation

Dr. Anurag Kumar

Indian Institute of Science (IISc)

Electrical Communication Engineering

"Wireless Networking," numerous IEEE publications

Infosys Prize, Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering

1977

Dr. Sunita Sarawagi

IIT Bombay

Computer Science

Publications on machine learning, data mining, and information retrieval

Infosys Prize

1991

Dr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala

IIT Madras

Electrical Engineering

Publications on telecommunications and rural technology

Padma Shri

1975

Dr. Vijay Chandru

Indian Institute of Science (IISc)

Computational Biology

Publications on computational biology and bioinformatics

Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences

1975

Dr. Priti Shankar

Indian Institute of Science (IISc)

Computer Science and Automation

Publications on cryptography and network security

Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering

1980

Dr. Manish Gupta

Google Research India

Computer Science

Publications on compilers, programming languages, and high-performance computing

IBM Faculty Award

1992

Dr. Naveen Garg

IIT Delhi

Computer Science

Publications on algorithms and optimization

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology

1990

Dr. Vivek Borkar

IIT Bombay

Electrical Engineering

Publications on stochastic control and optimization

Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering

1979

BITS Pilani Alumni 2026: Arts, Media & Entertainment

BITS Pilani alumni also shine in creative fields, blending technical skills with artistic pursuits. The table below mentions a few famous personalities:

Name

Notable Achievement / Role

Graduation Details

Anu Hasan

Actress and TV host in Tamil and Telugu cinema, known for her versatile roles

Graduated in 1993 (MSc in Physics and Management, attended 1988–1993)

Gaurav Chaudhary (Technical Guruji)

Popular tech YouTuber educating audiences on gadgets and technology; main channel has over 23.8 million subscribers (as of February 2026)

Alumnus (completed degree from BITS Pilani Dubai Campus)

Baradwaj Rangan

Acclaimed film critic and writer; deputy editor at The Hindu

Attended from 1988–1992 (Chemical Engineering)

BITS Pilani Alumni 2026: Political Figures and Public Servants

Several BITSians have entered public service, influencing policy and governance.

Name

Notable Achievement / Role

Graduation Details

Prithviraj Chavan

Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra (2010–2014); ex-Union Minister for Science and Technology

Graduated in 1967 (B.E. in Mechanical Engineering)

C. V. Ananda Bose

22nd Governor of West Bengal (since 2022); retired 1977-batch IAS officer with a distinguished career in the Indian Administrative Service

Ph.D. from BITS Pilani (degree in a relevant field, exact year not widely specified in public records; alumni confirmed)

BITS Pilani Alumni Network 2026: Almaconnect

Almaconnect serves as the digital backbone of the BITS Pilani alumni ecosystem. It transforms how graduates maintain professional relationships in India's rapidly expanding digital economy. This specialized platform bridges the gap between over 50,000 registered alumni across technology hubs like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune, as well as emerging Tier-2 cities. Unlike generic professional networks, Almaconnect creates an exclusive community bound by shared academic heritage and the institute's six-decade legacy of innovation. The platform facilitates crucial career transitions, enabling seasoned professionals to guide recent graduates while providing mid-career alumni access to leadership opportunities in Indian startups and established corporations. Through real-time updates on campus developments, placement statistics reaching ₹30-50 LPA packages, and institutional achievements, The platform delivers comprehensive value through these specialized features:

  • Alumni Directory: Search and connect with over 50,000 alumni based on specific industries such as IT or finance, filtering by metro locations including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, or shared interests like entrepreneurship.
  • Job Board: Access exclusive job postings from alumni-led startups and established Indian corporations, with opportunities ranging from entry roles at firms like Freshworks to senior leadership positions commanding packages exceeding ₹50 lakh per annum.
  • Mentorship Program: Connect with experienced alumni mentors across technology, consulting, and manufacturing sectors, receiving structured guidance on career pivots and navigating India's competitive job market.
  • Events Calendar: Stay informed about regional meetups in Indian cities, annual global reunions, and webinars featuring successful alumni entrepreneurs sharing insights on scaling ventures in the Indian market.
  • News and Updates: Receive real-time notifications regarding campus developments, new academic programs at BITS Pilani campuses in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad, and research breakthroughs from the institute's laboratories.
  • Groups and Forums: Join specialized communities based on graduation batches, engineering disciplines, or industry sectors like fintech and edtech, facilitating targeted discussions relevant to Indian market conditions.
  • Alumni Stories: Read detailed success narratives of graduates who have founded unicorns like Swiggy and Zomato, or lead major Indian enterprises, providing inspiration and actionable career roadmaps.
  • Donation Platform: Contribute directly to infrastructure development, scholarship funds for meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds, and research initiatives, with contributions eligible for tax benefits under Indian regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Who are some notable entrepreneurs from BITS Pilani and which unicorns did they build?

Ritesh Agarwal founded OYO Rooms in 2013. Sachin and Binny Bansal launched Flipkart in 2007. Deepinder Goyal built Zomato in 2008, while Bhavish Aggarwal founded Ola Cabs in 2010. Sriharsha Majety co-founded Swiggy in 2014.

Q2. How can I connect with BITS Pilani alumni for mentorship and job opportunities?

Register on Almaconnect, which maintains an updated alumni directory and facilitates mentorship programs connecting you with experienced graduates. Attend annual global alumni meets organized in different locations and participate in regional chapters to build local connections. Use the platform to access job opportunities, career counseling, and resume review services offered exclusively to network members.

Q3. Which BITS Pilani alumni are currently leading major tech companies in 2026?

Arvind Krishna serves as CEO of IBM after graduating in 1985, while Pranav Mistry works as VP of Research at Samsung leading development of SixthSense and Samsung Gear. Anand Chandrasekaran holds the position of VP, Product at Meta managing strategy for Facebook Messenger, and Rajesh Rao serves as VP of Engineering at Amazon heading AWS infrastructure. Girish Mathrubootham leads Freshworks as CEO and received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Q4. What benefits does the Almaconnect platform offer to BITS Pilani alumni?

You gain access to mentorship from distinguished alumni like Dr. Anurag Kumar of IISc and Dr. Krishna Saraswat of Stanford University. The network provides job referrals, startup funding support, and opportunities to collaborate on research projects with the institute. You can participate in governance decisions, attend exclusive reunions, and access online professional development resources through the platform.

Q5. How should current BITS Pilani students leverage the alumni network for career growth?

Attend alumni events and guest lectures to build relationships with professionals like Vidit Aatrey of Meesho or Gaurav Gupta of Innovaccer. Reach out for informational interviews and mentorship using the alumni directory to learn about careers at companies like Zomato or Flipkart. Seek feedback on your resume from alumni and join social media groups to stay updated on industry trends and opportunities.

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Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani Alumni 2026 | Notable Alumni & Achievements