India's Best Colleges 2026

In the age of artificial intelligence, agility has become the mantra of the Bachelor of Computer Applications programme at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. The challenge is to retain focus on the fundamentals, while ensuring synchronicity with technological innovation. Earlier, the norm was to overhaul the curriculum every three years. “Now we will make changes yearly, at least in the final-year papers,” says Deepthi Das, associate dean of the School of Sciences.

AI allows users to build applications without writing software code. But programming remains essential for logical and critical thinking, says Das. All lab evaluations follow a three-tier approach. First, students are given a set of programmes they must execute without internet access. Then, they can use the internet but not generative AI. In the third, they have unrestricted access. The idea, explains Rupali Sunil Wagh, head of the Department of Computer Science, is to make the evaluation tough while teaching students how to use technology responsibly.

The institute is also tapping its alumni network to give students exposure to industry trends. In the past year, BCA alumni have taught part of the courses offered every semester. Dr Vinay M., HoD of BCA at CHRIST’s Yeshwanthpur campus, adds that the institute works with industry partners to train employees in AI workflows.

In the new academic year, the focus will be on deepening research skills. At CHRIST, it is mandatory for undergraduate students to present research papers. The effort now is to encourage students to develop products or prototypes from their research problems. “We are planning industry mentorship right from the problem statement phase. They will give students direction in such a way that their project can lead to a product or prototype,” says Wagh. Overall, the university has committed Rs 19 crore in various incentives for students to increase research output, adds Dr T.V. Joseph, dean of the School of Sciences.

Starting in June, the BCA course will also offer a dual-degree option in collaboration with the Germany-based Technical University of Applied Sciences Wrzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS). Under this arrangement, a student can study a full fourth year at the German institute and receive a Bachelor of Engineering degree in computer science from THWS in addition to the BCA degree.

In 2025-26, all 125 students of the BCA batch underwent internships, of which 90 per cent were paid. Over 70 per cent of the batch was recruited by companies, with the highest salary package touching Rs 28 lakh per annum, says Wagh. The remaining students have opted for the extended, year-long BCA Honours course, which commenced in June.

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