Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology (BIET)

Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology (BIET) in Davanagere is a classic case of an old-guard institution trying to stay relevant. Established in 1979, it’s one of those colleges your parents might have heard of, with a sprawling 63-acre campus that feels more like a park than an engineering hub. The big news is its recent shift to autonomous status starting 2024-25, which means it can finally set its own syllabus and academic calendar. That’s a significant move. But the real story here is the stark divide: if you’re in Computer Science or Information Science, you’re in a different world compared to someone in Civil or Mechanical. The placement numbers tell that tale clearly. It’s a solid, legacy college with deep roots and an impressive NAAC ‘A’ grade, but whether it’s the right fit depends entirely on which branch you land in.

Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology — Quick Facts

• Location: Shamanur Road, Davanagere, Karnataka. Right next to NH4.
• Established: 1979
• Affiliation & Status: Affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU). Now Autonomous (from 2024-25).
• Accreditations: NAAC ‘A’ Grade (2023). NBA accreditation for core UG programs (CSE, ECE, ME, Civil) multiple times, latest in 2021.
• Flagship Programs: B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering (CSE), Information Science & Engineering (ISE), and the newly expanded AI & ML.
• Approx. Annual Fee (B.E., KCET Quota): ₹1.2 - ₹1.4 Lakhs.
• Official Average Package (2024): ₹4.97 LPA.

Courses and Academic Programs at Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology

BIET runs a wide portfolio, but the focus is unmistakably on computing. The B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) has an intake of 180, but it’s the Information Science and Engineering (ISE) program that’s the real giant, taking in 300 students. That’s unusual and speaks to demand. The newest star is Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI&ML), which saw its intake skyrocket from 60 to 240 seats in 2024. They’ve also added niche programs like Computer Science & Design and CS & Business Systems.

And then you have the core branches—Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and even unique ones like Textile Technology and Chemical Engineering. The labs for these are reportedly well-maintained, a point of pride that sets BIET apart from newer colleges that neglect core engineering. The faculty base is around 145 full-time teachers, with over 35 holding PhDs. The shift to autonomy is the biggest academic change. Students from the 2024 batch onward will follow BIET’s own calendar and assessment pattern, which currently means stricter 85% attendance rules and more internal exams. Some grumble about the new strictness, but it’s a trade-off for potentially more relevant coursework.

Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology Placements: Packages, Companies & Reality Check

This is where you need to read between the lines. The college highlights a highest package of 30 LPA for 2023-24 and an average of 4.97 LPA. The NIRF 2023 report shows a median package of 4.0 LPA. Those are the official numbers.

The reality, pieced together from student reviews, is more nuanced. Placement is highly branch-centric. For CSE and ISE, placement rates are strong, around 90%. Students in these streams regularly get into TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and occasionally Amazon or a niche player like Zscaler (which offered 14.5 LPA). For Electronics and Communication (ECE), the average dips to the 4.5-5.5 LPA range.

For core branches like Civil and Mechanical, the picture is different. The on-campus placement rate can drop to 30-40%. The companies that visit for these roles are different—Bosch, Mercedes Benz, core engineering firms—and the packages are often lower. The overall 70% placement figure the college cites seems to be an average that masks this disparity. A recurring complaint in reviews is that the placement cell sometimes pushes lower-paying offers (think ₹15,000-20,000 per month roles) to boost numbers, especially for MBA and core branch students. The takeaway? If you’re in a tech branch, the placement support is decent and the outcomes are predictable. If you’re in a core branch, you’ll need to hustle more off-campus.

Fees and Financial Aid at Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology

The cost depends entirely on your admission quota. For a B.E. program:

• KCET (Government Quota): You’re looking at ₹1,17,484 to ₹1,41,610 per year. Over four years, that totals roughly ₹5.5 to ₹6.5 lakhs.
• COMEDK Quota: Fees are higher, between ₹2,05,000 and ₹2,50,610 annually. The four-year cost lands near ₹9.5 to ₹10.5 lakhs.
• Management Quota: For sought-after branches like CSE, the tuition alone can be ₹2.5 lakhs per year, plus a significant one-time donation. Total cost easily exceeds ₹12 lakhs.
• SNQ (Sports/NCC/Cultural) Quota: This is the bargain at ₹50,610 per year.

On top of tuition, hostel fees are a major component. Boys’ hostels cost about ₹80,000 per year, girls’ hostels around ₹70,000. This includes mess charges. Financial aid is available mainly through state government scholarships (SC/ST/OBC) administered via the Karnataka State Scholarship Portal, offering up to ₹20,000 per year. The college also offers some fee waivers for academic toppers and minority students.

Admissions: Eligibility, Cutoffs & Selection Process

Admission to the B.E. programs is through entrance exams, followed by centralized counseling. The two main gates are KCET (for the Karnataka state quota) and COMEDK UGET (for the all-India quota).

The 2024 cutoff ranks (Round 1, General category) show the hierarchy:

• Computer Science & Engineering (CSE): KCET rank ~18,000; COMEDK rank ~35,000.
• Information Science & Engineering (ISE): KCET rank ~25,000; COMEDK rank ~48,000.
• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI&ML): KCET rank ~32,000; COMEDK rank ~64,000.
• Civil/Mechanical Engineering: KCET rank >1,00,000.

The process is straightforward: you write the exam, get your rank, and then participate in the online counseling conducted by KEA (for KCET) or COMEDK. You choose your college and branch based on seat availability when your rank is called. There’s no separate interview for B.E. admissions. For MBA, MCA, and M.Tech, admissions are through PGCET (state) or GATE scores.

Campus, Hostels and Student Life

The campus is BIET’s undeniable asset. 63.5 acres of lush, green space—it’s peaceful and feels academic. The infrastructure is a mix of old and new. The library is a central resource with over 1.2 lakh books and digital access. There’s an AICTE-sponsored IDEA Lab for innovation, and the labs for specialized branches like Textile are a point of pride.

Hostel life is a big part of the experience. There are separate blocks for boys (Kamadenu, Kalpatharu) and girls (Amrutha, Hemathi, Kalyana). Reviews suggest the girls’ hostels are better maintained (rated 4/5) compared to the boys’ (3.5/5). The rooms are typical hostel doubles or triples. The food? It’s a universal point of contention. The mess provides meals, but students consistently describe it as “repetitive” and “average.” You’ll find the usual campus amenities: a multi-gym, indoor sports facilities, a Canara Bank branch, and a medical tie-up with Bapuji Hospital. Wi-Fi is there—a 100 Mbps leased line plus broadband—but coverage can be patchy in older hostel blocks.

Student Reviews: What Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology Alumni Really Think

The sentiment online is a balanced mix of pride and pragmatism. On platforms like Quora and Reddit, the lush campus and strong legacy are constantly praised. “The stairs are where most memories are made; the infrastructure is beyond awesome,” one alum noted. The alumni network, built over 45 years, is frequently cited as a major benefit for job referrals and guidance.

But the criticisms are specific and repeated. The new autonomous regime has brought stricter 85% attendance rules, which hasn’t been popular. The placement disparity between computer and core branches is the most common caveat. You’ll see advice like, “If you aren’t in CSE/ISE/ECE, getting a high-paying job on campus is very difficult.” Some mention sluggish administration and a placement cell that can be more focused on numbers than student quality. The most telling verdict might be this Reddit quote: “If you are forced to pick a college in Davanagere, BIET is your best bet.” It’s not a glowing endorsement, but a practical one that acknowledges its position as the established leader in its region.

Verdict: Is Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology Worth It?

BIET is a classic tier-2/3 engineering college with clear strengths and weaknesses. It’s worth serious consideration if you secure a seat in Computer Science, Information Science, AI&ML, or Electronics through the KCET quota. In that scenario, you get a decent education, a recognizable legacy name, and a strong shot at a standard IT placement for a relatively moderate fee. The autonomous status could modernize the curriculum, which is a plus. However, think twice if you’re joining a core branch like Civil or Mechanical, especially through a high-fee quota. The on-campus opportunities are limited, and the return on investment becomes questionable. It’s also not the place if you crave a metropolitan, ultra-modern campus life. BIET is for the student who wants a solid, no-frills engineering education in a quiet, green setting, with outcomes that are good but not spectacular. For Davanagere and the surrounding region, it remains the default first choice.