BITS Pilani has launched a mandatory course on social conduct for all first-year undergraduate students. The program began in the 2025-2026 academic year . It applies to all its campuses: Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, and Dubai.
New Course Requirements
The course, named BITS F101-1 , is a credit-bearing requirement. This means students must pass it to graduate. It focuses on developing social literacy and emotional intelligence. The curriculum aims to equip students with skills for academic and adult life.
Topics include consent and gender sensitivity. Mental health resilience and digital citizenship are also covered. BITS Pilani partnered with the company Striide to develop the content.
Course Structure and Delivery
BITS F101-1 is an asynchronous online course. Students access it through the institute's learning management system. This allows flexible learning. Interactive modules and quizzes are part of the course.
The program includes content on bystander intervention. It also covers the prevention of sexual misconduct (POSH). Students complete these modules at their own pace.
The course is divided into two parts. It provides ongoing instruction on maturity and conduct. This goes beyond typical one-time training sessions.
Curriculum Objectives
Key Learning Areas
The course addresses several critical areas:
- Emotional IQ: Focuses on self-awareness, empathy, resilience, and stress management.
- Relationships: Teaches navigation of peer and faculty dynamics under pressure.
- Safety & Consent: Covers boundaries, bystander intervention, and POSH.
- Digital Citizenship: Emphasizes responsible social media use and online ethics.
- Mental Health: Aims to reduce stigma and teach coping strategies.
Institutional Commitment
Vice Chancellor Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao supports the initiative. He stated it aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 . BITS Pilani seeks to develop well-rounded individuals. The goal is to produce responsible citizens, not just skilled professionals.
The partnership with Striide ensures content relevance. Striide was founded by a BITS alumna. This ensures a tailored approach for BITS students.
