Education Policy

Degree Programs

• Registration and Fee Payment:

  • Each trimester of the programme begins with a mandatory REGISTRATION process, which specifies the prescribed course package for each student for that trimester.
  • The Registration process for each trimester is completed when the student confirms his / her course package along with the payment for the trimester fees.
  • The student has to pay the full trimester fees for every trimester in which he / she registers, irrespective of the number of courses in his / her prescribed course package.

• Course Substitution and Withdrawal:

  • Students may request for course substitution or withdrawal in accordance with established policies and procedures.
  • All such requests must be submitted within two weeks from the first live contact session of the trimester and are subject to approval by the Institute.

• Continuous Internal Evaluation:

  • BITS Pilani follows a continuous system of internal evaluation.
  • A Letter Grade A, A-, B, B-, C, C-, D, or E carrying grade points 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, or 2 respectively is awarded for each course.
  • If a student does not offer adequate opportunity for evaluation in a course, a report such as NC (Not cleared) may be awarded.
  • Final grading will be announced only after approval by the Examination Committee of BITS Pilani.

• Evaluation Scheme:

  • For each course in each trimester, there will be multiple Evaluation Components (EC) spread over the trimester, as specified in the Course Handout for each course.
  • The (weightage) distribution and deadlines for evaluation components may vary from course to course.
  • Students are expected to adhere to the relevant guidelines and comply with the submission deadlines.

• End-of-Trimester Exams

  • Each course will typically have an end-of-trimester exam.
  • Appearing for the end-of-trimester examinations for all enrolled courses is mandatory.
  • Successful completion of these examinations is a compulsory requirement for passing and completing the course.
  • rimester end exams for each course are typically scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays. For each course, students can choose between two available date and time options for trimester end exams—making it easier to plan around personal and professional commitments.
  • Students must adhere to the published exam schedule, rules, and guidelines announced prior to each exam.
  • For students residing in India End-of-trimester examinations are conducted only at the designated exam centres located in the following cities. Students can take their examination at any of our 24 designated examination centres in India at the following

  Choose from 24 centres spread across major cities in four zones:

  South Zone – Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada
  North Zone – Chandigarh, Dehradun, Delhi NCR, Jaipur, Jammu, Lucknow, Pilani, Srinagar
  West Zone – Ahmedabad, Goa, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune
  East Zone – Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Ranchi, Silchar

  Students may update their preferred exam centre each trimester, subject to availability.

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA):

  The CGPA (calculated on a 10 point scale) will be used to describe the overall performance of a student (from the trimester of admission till the point of reckoning) in all courses for which LETTER GRADES are awarded.

• CGPA is a weighted average of the grade points of all courses considered:

  $\mathrm{CGPA}=\frac{\mathrm{U1}*\mathrm{G1}+\mathrm{U2}*\mathrm{G2}+\mathrm{U3}*\mathrm{G3}+...}{\mathrm{U1}+\mathrm{U2}+\mathrm{U3}+\mathrm{...}}$

  Where U1, U2, U3 …… denote UNITS / CREDITS of the course, and G1, G2, G3 denote grade points of the LETTER GRADES awarded in that course.

• Minimum Academic Requirements:

  • Subject to fulfilling the Academic Regulations of the Institute, the student will be issued a grade sheet at the end of each trimester.
  • The Transcript and a Provisional Certificate, followed by the Final Degree Certificate will be issued at the end of the programme.
  • The minimum academic requirements for successful completion of the MSc (Data Science & AI) programme include:
    • that a student completes all the mandated courses and obtains a total of 72 credits / units
      1. with a minimum CGPA of 5.50 and
      2. with no E Grade or NC Report in any course.
    • And that a student obtains at least 4 credits / units through Apex Projects.
  • For the BS (Data Science & AI) programme the minimum academic requirements include
    • that a student completes all the mandated courses and obtains a total of 144 credits / units and
      1. with a minimum CGPA of 4.50
      2. with no E Grade or NC Report in any course.
    • And that a student obtains at least 5 credits / units through Apex Projects.
  • For the B.Sc (Data Science & AI) programme the minimum academic requirements include
    • i. that a student completes all the mandated courses and obtains a total of 108 credits / units and
      1. with a minimum CGPA of 4.50
      2. with no E Grade or NC Report in any course.
    • And that a student obtains at least 5 credits / units through Apex Projects.
  • For the Certificate exit, the required 24 credits have to be earned from the following courses: Probability & Statistics, Computer Programming, Data and the World, Computing Systems, Fundamentals of Data Science and Engineering, Data Structures for Data Science, Data Preprocessing, Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Programming using Generative AI and any one of the APEX project.
  • For the Diploma exit, the required 54 credits have to be earned from the following courses (in addition to those required for the Certificate exit above): Mobile and Web Application Development, Classical AI, Data Visualisation, Relational Databases and Querying, Deep Neural Networks, Multimedia Processing, Search Engines, Advanced Deep Learning, NLP Applications, Modern Databases and minimum 5 credits from any of the APEX projects.

• Academic Counseling Board (ACB):

  • Students who do not progress adequately as per institute’s assessment will come under the purview of the Academic Counselling Board (ACB).
  • As long as the student is under the purview of the ACB, his / her course package per trimester will be decided by the ACB and his / her progress will be continuously tracked by the ACB. This will continue until the student exits the purview of the ACB by meeting the minimum academic requirements.

• Institute Policies and Student Code:

  Students shall conform to a high standard of discipline and a strict code of ethics and conduct themselves in a manner befitting students of an Institute of Eminence. Students shall have seriousness of purpose and shall, in every way, train themselves to lead a life of earnest endeavor and cooperation. Students shall show due courtesy, consideration, and respect to their fellow students, employees and the teachers of the Institute.

  Breach of rules and regulations, lack of decorum, acts of indiscipline, misconduct, misbehavior/ sexual harassment with fellow students / use of unfair means in test / examinations may invite appropriate disciplinary action from temporary suspension to dismissal from the Institute.

• Withdrawal:

  If a request for withdrawal from the programme is made within thirty days of the first live contact session of the first trimester. , a full refund of the trimester fee will be provided. Please note that the application fee and admission fee are non-refundable.

• Maximum Duration:

  • B.S in Data Science & AI

  You are allowed a maximum of 8 years to complete the full 4-year B.S. Degree in Data Science & AI. This generous time-frame is designed to give you the flexibility to balance your studies with other academic, professional, or personal commitments. Within this 8-year window, you may choose to take fewer courses in a trimester, take approved trimester drops, or adjust your pace — as long as you meet all academic requirements and credit obligations within the permitted duration.

  If you opt to exit earlier with an interim credential, you have up to double the normal duration to complete each stage:

  • The 1-year Certificate can be completed in up to 2 years
  • The 2-year Diploma can be completed in up to 4 years
  • The 3-year B.Sc. Degree can be completed in up to 6 years

  There are no additional fee implications for progressing at a slower pace. The programme follows a trimester-based fee model — meaning the trimester fee remains the same regardless of the number of courses you choose to register for in that term. The only additional charge is a continuity fee, which applies only if you take a drop for one or more trimesters. This fee is paid at the time of resuming the programme.

  This flexible structure ensures that your learning stays aligned with your life, while still allowing you to earn a prestigious BITS Pilani credential — on your own terms and timeline.

  • M.Sc. Data Science & AI

  You are allowed a maximum of 4 years to complete the full 2-year M.Sc. Degree in Data Science & AI. This generous time-frame is designed to give you the flexibility to balance your studies with other academic, professional, or personal commitments.

  There are no additional fee implications for progressing at a slower pace. The programme follows a trimester-based fee model — meaning the trimester fee remains the same regardless of the number of courses you choose to register for in that term. The only additional charge is a continuity fee, which applies only if you choose to drop for one or more trimesters. This fee is paid at the time of resuming the programme.

  This flexible structure ensures that your learning stays aligned with your life, while still allowing you to earn a prestigious BITS Pilani credential — on your own terms and timeline.

  • Trimester Drop

  The programme offers the flexibility to take a break (or drop) for one or more trimesters if you need to pause your studies due to personal, academic, or professional reasons. This ensures that your progress is not lost, and you can return when you're ready.

  That said, here are a few important things to note:

  • A break (or drop) can only be taken before the start of a trimester. Once a trimester begins and you've accessed classes or learning materials, a break is no longer permitted for that trimester.
  • When you resume the programme after dropping trimesters (one or more), you will be required to pay a continuity fee for each trimester of break, in addition to the regular trimester fee for the trimester you register for.

  This structure allows you to manage your learning journey on your own terms, while ensuring a smooth and supported return to the programme whenever you're ready to continue.

• Continuity Fee Policy

  1. Students opting to take an academic break and not registering for any courses during a trimester are required to obtain prior official approval from the Institute.
  2. A Continuity Fee of Rs 5,000 per trimester of absence shall be applicable and must be paid at the time of re-registration when the student resumes the program.'
  3. The Continuity Fee is calculated based on the total duration of the approved break.

  Example:

  • 1 trimester break → Rs 5,000
    
    
  • 2 trimesters break → Rs 10,000
    
    
  4. Academic breaks are granted only under exceptional circumstances and are subject to the discretion and approval of the Institute.

• DEB ID Requirement (Mandatory for Indian Students)

  As per UGC guidelines, all Indian students applying for Online or Open & Distance Learning (ODL) programmes must create a DEB ID using their DigiLocker account. This ID is required for admission to UGC-recognized institutions.

  If you do not have a DigiLocker account, you can create one at www.digilocker.gov.in using your Aadhaar number.

  You must submit your DEB ID during onboarding.

  For a detailed step-by-step guide, visit https://bitspilani-digital.edu.in/deb

• Cloud Infrastructure and Lab Usage

  Certain courses and project-based modules may require access to enterprise-grade cloud platforms or GPU computing environments (such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure). While access to shared and open-source learning environments is facilitated for foundational coursework, any cloud infrastructure or GPU usage beyond the shared environment , particularly where billed on a consumption basis , shall be funded directly by the student.

  Learners will be notified in advance of such requirements along with estimated usage guidelines. All costs incurred under such infrastructure usage shall be variable and dependent on actual consumption, and are not included in the programme fee.

Disclaimer: The Student hereby agrees and acknowledges that he/she shall not copy, translate, modify or adapt the Platforms provided by BITS PILANI, incorporate the Platforms, in whole or in part, into any other product, or create any Derivative Works based on all or any part of the Platforms, or authorize a third party to do any of the preceding prohibited activities. The Student further agrees and acknowledges that he/she shall not modify, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble and/or attempt to discover the source code of the Platforms. The Student shall not copy or give any third party access to the Platforms. Any such act by the Student will be considered illegal and shall be liable to penal provisions as per the Indian Laws including but not limited to indemnifying BITS PILANI on any loss incurred by BITS PILANI due to such act of the Student.

Certificate Programs

(Applicable to all Professional Certificate Programs offered by BITS Pilani Digital)

• Purpose and Scope

  BITS Pilani Digital, the Digital Learning Division of BITS Pilani, offers professional, non-credit certificate programs that bring BITS Pilani’s academic excellence and industry relevance to technology professionals through a flexible, rigorous, and practice-oriented learning model.

  This policy defines the academic, administrative, and conduct regulations applicable to all learners enrolled in professional certificate programs offered under BITS Pilani Digital.

  It is designed to ensure consistency in academic standards, fairness in evaluation, and accountability in learner conduct across all programs.

• Program Coverage

  This policy applies to all current professional certificate programs offered by BITS Pilani Digital in academic year - 2025-2026, including but not limited to:

  • Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity and Secure Software Development
  • Professional Certificate in AI Engineering and MLOps

• Eligibility and Admissions

  3.1 Eligibility Criteria for Application -

  Program:Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity and Secure Software Development

  Applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree and possessing relevant professional experience in software development or IT infrastructure management are eligible to apply for this program. Candidates are also expected to possess a background in programming or scripting, such as Python, Java, C++, or an equivalent language.

  While the program is open to all eligible applicants, it is best suited for professionals with two or more years of work experience in software development or IT infrastructure management. Applicants with less than two years of experience may also apply; however, they are advised to do so only if confident in their ability to fully leverage the program’s advanced and practiceoriented curriculum.

  Offer of admission would be based only on BITS Pilani Digital- Admission Cell`s assessment of the overall application which includes the CV of the applicant , prior educational details, work exp information and other information submitted in the application form.

  Program : Professional Certificate in AI Engineering and MLOps

  Applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree and possessing relevant professional experience in software development are eligible to apply for this program. Candidates are also expected to have working knowledge of Python or another programming language.

  While the program is open to all eligible applicants, it is best suited for professionals with two or more years of work experience in software development. Applicants with less than two years of experience may also apply; however, they are advised to do so only if confident in their ability to fully benefit from the program’s advanced and application-oriented curriculum in artificial intelligence.

  Offer of admission would be based only on BITS Pilani Digital- Admission Cell`s assessment of the overall application which includes the CV of the applicant , prior educational details, work exp information and other information submitted in the application form.

  3.2 Institutional Discretion

  BITS Pilani Digital reserves the right to conduct additional screening such as portfolio review, technical evaluation, or interview and to make final admissions decisions at its sole discretion.

  3.3 Admission Confirmation

  Admission is confirmed only upon:

  • Payment of the prescribed non-refundable admission fee and the tuition fee, and
  • Successful completion of document verification as required by the Admissions Cell.

  All admissions are subject to the verification of information provided in the application form.

• Fee Structure and Refund Policy

  • The program fee structure is published on the official BITS Pilani Digital admissions portal.
  • The admission fee is non-refundable and confirms the learner’s seat in the program.
  • The balance program fee(Tuition Fee) must be paid as per the schedule communicated during admission.

  No per-module or pay-as-you-go fee models are applicable. Fees are program-based and non-transferable.

• Refunds/Withdrawal:

  If a request for withdrawal from the programme is made within Seven days of the first live contact session of the program , a full refund of the tuition fee will be provided. Please note that the application fee and admission fee are non-refundable.

• Program Design and Delivery

  Professional certificate programs are designed to deliver a cohort-based, hands-on, and industry-aligned learning experience.

  The programs are 100% online, combining asynchronous and synchronous components through:

  • Expert-led self-paced digital learning modules
  • Live weekend sessions with BITS faculty and industry mentors
  • Hands-on labs and projects in cloud-based or secure environments
  • Discussion forums for collaboration and peer learning
  • To gain a comprehensive learning experience, learners are expected to actively participate in all the academic and engagement activities outlined above.

  Each program follows a project-centric learning model, emphasizing experiential understanding over rote assessment.

  Weekly engagement expectations typically include 9–10 hours of combined learning through recorded sessions, live classes, and project or lab work.

• Attendance, Participation, and Engagement

  • Learners are expected to attend live sessions regularly and actively participate in discussions, mentorship interactions, and project activities.
  • Attendance is monitored to ensure consistent academic engagement.
  • Non-participation over extended periods may result in academic warnings or discontinuation, at the institute’s discretion.

• Academic Delivery and Evaluation

  8.1 Learning Model

  All certificate programs under BITS Pilani Digital follow a flipped classroom and project-based learning approach that integrates real-world problem solving with hands-on project execution.

  8.2 Evaluation

  Program:Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity and Secure Software Development

  There are no traditional exams. Evaluation is entirely project- and performance-based, aligned to the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model.

  Each of the seven projects is assessed for:

  • Accuracy and depth of threat analysis
  • Effectiveness of defense and remediation strategies
  • Application of secure coding practices and automation
  • Quality of documentation, explainability, and compliance alignment
  • Learners are graded on performance bands for all the projects:
    Excellent / Very Good / Good / Fair / Poor.
  • A minimum performance level of “Fair” is required in all modules for successful completion.

  8.3 Eligibility for Certification

  A certificate of completion would be awarded to those who will participate in all the quizzes and secure minimum “Fair” grade in all evaluated project/s.

  8.4 Reattempt Policy

  • Learners who do not meet the minimum performance threshold for project evaluation may reattempt the project once,by next cohort.
  • Reattempts do not include additional mentorship beyond the standard program support.

• Deferral and Break Policy

  • Learners are permitted one deferral to the next available cohort during the program, at no additional cost.
  • A deferral request must be formally submitted to the program support team.
  • Deferral is subject to seat and program availability in the next cohort and approval by the institute.

• Technology, Cloud, and Lab Infrastructure

  • Some modules may require access to enterprise-grade cloud environments or GPU computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
  • While shared environments are provided for foundational labs, advanced project environments may incur learner-funded usage costs billed directly by the service provider.
  • Learners will be notified in advance of such requirements, along with indicative usage guidelines.
  • The Clean Room Environment used in cybersecurity programs is provided through a secured institutional setup to ensure safe and isolated experimentation.

• Institute Policies and Student Code:

  Students shall conform to a high standard of discipline and a strict code of ethics and conduct themselves in a manner befitting students of an Institute of Eminence. Students shall have seriousness of purpose and shall, in every way, train themselves to lead a life of earnest endeavor and cooperation. Students shall show due courtesy, consideration, and respect to their fellow students, employees and the teachers of the Institute.

  Breach of rules and regulations, lack of decorum, acts of indiscipline, misconduct, misbehavior/ sexual harassment with fellow students / use of unfair means in test / examinations / assessments may invite appropriate disciplinary action from temporary suspension to dismissal from the Institute.

• Institutional Authority and Governance

  All academic and administrative decisions are governed by BITS Pilani Digital, operating under the authority of the Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani.

  The institute reserves the right to amend, modify, or withdraw any clause of this policy as deemed necessary to uphold academic standards.

• Career Enablement Service

  BITS Pilani Digital’s professional certificate programs are designed to build advanced, industry-relevant capabilities through rigorous, application-oriented learning. The institute may offer career enablement support, including mentorship, resume guidance, and access to curated opportunities through its partner network.

  However, BITS Pilani Digital does not guarantee placements, internships, or employment outcomes. Career progression depends on multiple factors including individual performance, professional experience, and prevailing industry conditions.

  Learners are encouraged to take active responsibility for their professional development and to leverage the learning, mentorship, and network access provided by the program.

Disclaimer: The student hereby agrees and acknowledges that he/she shall not copy, translate, modify or adapt the Platforms provided by BITS PILANI, incorporate the Platforms, in whole or in part, into any other product, or create any Derivative Works based on all or any part of the Platforms, or authorize a third party to do any of the preceding prohibited activities. The student further agrees and acknowledges that he/she shall not modify, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble and/or attempt to discover the source code of the Platforms. The student shall not copy or give any third-party access to the Platforms. Any such act by the student will be considered illegal and shall be liable to penal provisions as per the Indian Laws including but not limited to indemnifying BITS PILANI on any loss incurred by BITS PILANI due to such act of the student.

The Professional Certificate Programmes offered under BITS Pilani Digital , including the Professional Certificate in AI Engineering & MLOps and the Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity & Secure Software Development , are designed for working professionals seeking to enhance their expertise through rigorous, industry-aligned, and practice-oriented learning.

These programmes are non-degree in nature and carry no formal academic credits. They are intended to recognise demonstrated professional competency and applied expertise, rather than serve as progression toward a formal degree or any credit-bearing qualification awarded by BITS Pilani or any other institution.

BITS Pilani Digital — Education Policy for Certificate Programs (Applicable for cohorts starting in Academic year 2025-2026).