About National Institute of Technology Karnataka Surathkal
Written by L K Monu Borkala · Founder, OneCity Technologies · publishing Karnataka education directories since 2006 Last Updated: June 30, 2026 · Verified with AICTE, VTU and NAAC data for 2026–27
National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal is one of India's premier technical institutions — established in 1960 as Karnataka Regional Engineering College (KREC) and upgraded to NIT status in 2002. Classified as an Institute of National Importance, NITK consistently ranks in India's top 20 engineering colleges: NIRF 2025 #17 Engineering, #54 Overall, QS Asian Rankings 2026 #113 South Asia. The 296-acre campus sits on the Arabian Sea coastline, 22 km from Mangalore city, with a private beach and lighthouse. The 2025 placement season saw the highest package of Rs 63.3 LPA with 783 UG students placed and a median package of Rs 14 LPA per NIRF 2026.
Quick Facts
| Founded | 1960 (as KREC); NIT status 2002 |
|---|---|
| Type | Institute of National Importance (Central Government) |
| Location | Srinivasnagar PO, Surathkal, Mangaluru, Karnataka — 575025 |
| Campus | 296 acres, Arabian Sea coastline, private beach |
| Status | Autonomous under Ministry of Education — not VTU affiliated |
| NIRF Ranking | #17 Engineering, #54 Overall (2025) |
| QS Ranking | #113 South Asia (2026) |
| Accreditation | NAAC A+ (DB shows A+; some sources cite A++) |
| Admission | JEE Main + JoSAA counselling — not KCET |
| Website | nitk.ac.in |
BTech Programmes and JoSAA 2025 Cutoffs
| Branch | JoSAA 2025 OS Closing Rank (Open) | JoSAA 2025 HS Closing Rank (Open) | Total 4-Year Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science & Engineering | 1,607–1,827 | 2,726 (Round 1) | ~Rs 5.6 lakh |
| Information Technology | ~2,500–3,500 | ~4,000–6,000 | ~Rs 5.6 lakh |
| Artificial Intelligence | ~2,000–3,000 | ~4,000–5,500 | ~Rs 5.6 lakh |
| Electronics & Communication | ~4,500–6,500 | ~7,000–10,000 | ~Rs 5.6 lakh |
| Electrical & Electronics | ~5,000–7,500 | ~8,000–12,000 | ~Rs 5.6 lakh |
| Mechanical Engineering | ~8,000–12,000 | ~12,000–18,000 | ~Rs 5.6 lakh |
| Civil Engineering | ~10,000–15,000 | ~15,000–22,000 | ~Rs 5.6 lakh |
OS = Other State (50% of seats, open to all India). HS = Home State (50% of seats, Karnataka students preferred). Home State quota gives Karnataka students significantly more accessible cutoffs. JEE Main + JoSAA counselling only — KCET not applicable. Verify at josaa.nic.in.
Fee Structure
| Category | Tuition | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs 1.25 lakh/year | Total 4-year approx Rs 5.6 lakh |
| SC/ST/PwD | 100% tuition fee waiver | Government exemption |
| Family income <Rs 1 lakh/year | 100% tuition waiver | EBC scholarship |
| Family income Rs 1–5 lakh/year | 2/3rd tuition remission | OEB scholarship |
Placements 2025
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Highest Package | Rs 63.3 LPA (2025) |
| Median Package (NIRF 2026, UG 4-year) | Rs 14 LPA |
| CSE Average Package | Rs 23.24 LPA |
| Students Placed (2025, UG) | 783 |
| CSE Placement Rate | 98.26% |
| IT Placement Rate | 99.12% |
| Overall Placement Rate | 93% |
| Top Recruiters | Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Adobe, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Tata Elxsi, Mahindra |
Arabian Sea Campus — A Unique Academic Environment
NITK's 296-acre campus on the Arabian Sea coast between Mangalore and Udupi is one of India's most distinctive engineering college environments. NH-66 (Mangalore-Mumbai coastal highway) runs through the campus. The campus has a private beach, a lighthouse, and a seawater intake system that creates a unique marine science and civil engineering research context. Surathkal is 22 km from Mangalore International Airport and 19 km from Mangalore Railway Station.
Home State (HS) Quota — Karnataka Students' Advantage
50% of NITK's BTech seats are reserved under Home State (HS) quota for Karnataka domicile candidates. This means Karnataka students with JEE Main ranks between 2,726 and 20,000+ can realistically access NITK's branches — the same college that Other State students need top 1,600 ranks to enter in CSE. For Karnataka students with JEE Main ranks in the 5,000–15,000 range, NITK HS quota is worth prioritising over many private colleges.
NITK vs IIT Dharwad
| Metric | NITK Surathkal | IIT Dharwad |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1960 | 2016 |
| NIRF Engineering 2025 | #17 | #77 |
| CSE JoSAA 2025 Closing (OS/General) | ~1,827 | 6,242 |
| Median Package 2025 | Rs 14 LPA | Rs 11.62 LPA |
| Highest Package 2025 | Rs 63.3 LPA | Rs 38.5 LPA |
| Campus | 296 acres, Arabian Sea coast | 470 acres, green smart campus |
| Alumni Network | 60+ years, extensive | 10 years, growing |
Who Should Apply to NITK Surathkal
NITK is India's #17 engineering college — and for Karnataka students, the HS quota makes it accessible at ranks that wouldn't qualify for IITs. For students with JEE Main ranks between 2,726 and 20,000 who are Karnataka domicile, NITK HS quota should be the first priority in JoSAA choice filling. The Rs 63.3 LPA highest package, 98% CSE placement rate and Rs 14 LPA median make the ROI exceptional for a government NIT fee structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NITK Surathkal accept KCET?
No. NITK Surathkal is a Central Government Institute of National Importance. Admission is through JEE Main followed by JoSAA counselling only. KCET is not applicable.
What is the HS quota CSE cutoff at NITK?
JoSAA 2025 HS quota CSE Round 1 closing rank was 2,726 for Karnataka Home State candidates. This is significantly more accessible than the OS (Other State) quota cutoff of 1,607. Verify at josaa.nic.in.
What was NITK's highest placement package in 2025?
NITK's highest package in 2025 was Rs 63.3 LPA. Median package for UG 4-year students was Rs 14 LPA per NIRF 2026. CSE average was Rs 23.24 LPA. Google, Microsoft and Amazon are top recruiters.
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Content verified against publicly available AICTE, VTU, NAAC, and NIRF data. Fees and cutoffs are approximate — verify directly with the college and KEA before admission. Published by L K Monu Borkala, founder of OneCity Technologies — publishing Karnataka education directories since 2006, covering engineering admissions data since 2019 through CollegesInfo.org.