National Institute of Technology Karnataka

National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, was established in 1960 as Karnataka Regional Engineering College (KREC). Well-known for its clean and green campus and ‘its own beach,’ NITK is a top-ranked engineering institute in the state, among the top 20 in India (NIRF, 2025) and 113th among universities in Southern Asia (QS, 2026). Faculty and students have built a strong record in education and research, and alumni have excelled across diverse professions. The Institute has a campus of 295 acres, nestled between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. The NH-66 links it to Mangaluru, which is well-connected by rail, road, air, and sea to other parts of India. The lush green campus attracts a variety of birds and animals and provides a peaceful ambience to stay, work, study, and play. The campus has all the amenities of a small town, including housing, hostels, messes, a sports complex, NCC grounds, cooperative stores, a healthcare center, banks, a post office, and schools. Academic infrastructure includes department buildings, laboratories, lecture hall complexes, a library, workshops, a central computer center, and a central research facility. The S&T Entrepreneurs’ Park (STEP) facilitates the incubation of startups. The iconic main building houses the administrative offices. At present, there are over 7,000 students enrolled; about one in four are women students. They are among the best in India and represent different states. The Institute has about 300 faculty members from well-known universities, and over 400 staff members provide the necessary support.