The Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani has rolled out a sweeping student welfare programme — BITS CARES (Comprehensive Action for Resilience, Empathy, and Support) — across its Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses.

Developed by the Student Welfare Division, the initiative seeks to provide a 360-degree framework for safety, mental health, and academic growth. It includes upgraded campus surveillance and cybersecurity systems, a digital wellness dashboard, more hostel caretakers, dedicated wellness officers, and improved hostel infrastructure.

Students will also gain access to expanded counselling services, open-air gyms, wellness coaches, and periodic well-being assessments. On the academic front, BITS CARES promises stronger placement support, extended induction programs, and structured protocols for handling sensitive situations.

Oversight will be ensured through a multi-tier governance model with campus committees, institutional checks, and university-level steering bodies. Regular audits and feedback loops are planned to maintain transparency and accountability.

The initiative comes as India’s leading institutes sharpen their focus on student welfare. Meanwhile, IIT Kharagpur recently named Arun Chakraborty as the country’s first Dean of Student Well-Being and launched SETU, an AI-enabled mental health support system.

IIT Bombay rolled out its “Beyond the Resume” programme in June 2025 to build communication and resilience skills, while IIT Kanpur partnered with the Art of Living Foundation for a holistic wellness programme incorporating meditation and mindfulness.

Together, these efforts mark a significant shift in how India’s top universities are placing student well-being at the heart of campus life.