NIT Surathkal | National Institute of Technology Karnataka | Ranking, Fees, Courses & Placements 2026

Q: What is NIT Surathkal's NIRF ranking in 2025?

As per NIRF 2025, NIT Surathkal is ranked #17 in Engineering and #54 Overall. It holds NAAC A++ accreditation and is consistently rated among the top three NITs in India alongside NIT Trichy and NIT Warangal.

Q: What is the JEE Main cutoff for NIT Surathkal CSE in 2026?

Based on JoSAA 2025 data, the Other State (OS) General category closing rank for NIT Surathkal B.Tech CSE was 1827, while the Home State (HS) General closing rank was 2800. For 2026, the expected OS closing rank is approximately 1615–1827 for the General category.

Q: What are the placements at NIT Surathkal in 2024–25?

NIT Surathkal placement 2025 (2024–25 batch) recorded a highest B.Tech package of ₹63.3 LPA and an average of ₹17.48 LPA. The overall B.Tech placement rate was 80.60%, with 673 out of 835 eligible students placed. Top recruiters included Google, Microsoft, Amazon, NVIDIA, Texas Instruments, and Goldman Sachs.

Q: What is the total B.Tech fee at NIT Surathkal?

The total B.Tech fee at NIT Surathkal for day scholars is approximately ₹5.95 Lakh across four years as per the official 2025–26 fee circular. For hostellers in shared accommodation, the total is around ₹6.58 Lakh. SC/ST/PwD students receive a complete tuition fee waiver.

Q: Is NIT Surathkal better than other NITs?

NIT Surathkal is consistently ranked among the top 3 NITs in India, alongside NIT Trichy and NIT Warangal. With a NIRF Engineering rank of 17, NAAC A++ accreditation, ₹63.3 LPA highest placement, and a unique coastal campus with research infrastructure worth ₹120 crore, NITK is widely considered one of the premier engineering destinations in India.

Q: Does NIT Surathkal have a beach on campus?

Yes. NIT Surathkal (NITK) has its own private beach | the NITK Beach | right on the Arabian Sea coast. This makes it one of the most uniquely located engineering campuses in India. The 296-acre coastal campus provides a scenic and serene study environment distinct from any other NIT.

Institute Overview

About NIT Surathkal | National Institute of Technology Karnataka

National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal (NIT Surathkal or NITK) is one of India's most prestigious and historic engineering institutions, originally established in 1960 as the Karnataka Regional Engineering College (KREC) under the academic mentorship of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. The institute was granted the distinguished status of a National Institute of Technology under an Act of Parliament in 2002, making it an Institute of National Importance | a designation that places it among India's most elite technical universities.

Perched on the breathtaking Konkan coastline of Karnataka, NITK occupies a 296-acre campus at Surathkal, 22 km north of Mangalore on National Highway 66. The campus overlooks the Arabian Sea and features the iconic NITK Beach | a private stretch of shoreline that makes this one of the most scenically unique engineering campuses in the world. The Surathkal lighthouse, located right within the campus, has become a landmark symbol of NITK's distinct character.

The institute holds NIRF Engineering Rank 17 (2025) and NIRF Overall Rank 54, and is consistently listed among the top three NITs in India alongside NIT Tiruchirappalli and NIT Warangal. NITK is the only NIT to have received the NAAC A++ accreditation | the highest possible grade awarded by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council | a testament to its outstanding academic standards, research output, and infrastructure.

NIT Surathkal: A Legacy of 64 Years of Technical Excellence

What distinguishes NITK Surathkal from other NITs is its combination of deep institutional heritage and modern academic ambition. Over six decades, the institute has cultivated a strong culture of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Its research infrastructure, valued at over ₹120 crore, includes advanced equipment such as electron microscopes, high-performance computing clusters, and sophisticated material characterisation systems | facilities that even top IITs utilise for collaborative research.

NITK offers programmes across engineering, management, information technology, and sciences, with B.Tech branches spanning Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Electronics & Communication, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Mining, Metallurgical, and Information Technology. The institute has also introduced cutting-edge programmes in AI and Data Science to align with 21st-century industry demands.

The Career Development Centre (CDC) at NITK orchestrates one of the most active placement drives among NITs, with over 450 recruiters visiting the campus annually and 1,350+ offers made across disciplines in the 2024–25 season. Top global companies including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, NVIDIA, Texas Instruments, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo regularly recruit from NITK.

NITK has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with multiple institutions including NIT Warangal, NIT Calicut, NIT Andhra Pradesh, NIT Puducherry, GEC Thrissur, and international universities, enabling student and faculty exchange, joint research, and collaborative PhD supervision. This global outlook, combined with its exceptional placement record and historic reputation, makes NIT Surathkal one of the most coveted engineering destinations for JEE Main aspirants across India.

NIT Surathkal | Quick Facts 2026–27

Full NameNational Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal

Short NameNITK / NIT Surathkal / NIT-K

Also Known AsNIT Karnataka, NIT Mangalore, KREC

Established1960 (as KREC) → NIT 2002

LocationSurathkal, Mangalore, Karnataka

Institute TypePublic (Govt. of India)

StatusInstitute of National Importance

Campus Area296 Acres (Coastal)

Mentored ByIISc Bangalore (initially)

NIRF Engg. Rank#17 (2025)

NIRF Overall Rank#54 (2025)

NAAC GradeA++ (Highest)

AccreditationAICTE, UGC, NBA

Total B.Tech Fees~₹5.95 Lakh (Day Scholar)

Highest Package₹63.3 LPA (2024–25)

Avg B.Tech Package₹17.48 LPA (2024–25)

CSE Cutoff (OS General)1827 (JoSAA 2025)

B.Tech AdmissionJEE Main + JoSAA / CSAB

Official Websitenitk.ac.in

Rankings & Recognition

NIT Surathkal Rankings 2025–26 | NIRF, NAAC & QS

NIT Surathkal is one of India's most decorated engineering institutions, holding the highest NAAC grade (A++) of any NIT and consistently ranking among the top three NITs nationally. Here is a comprehensive view of its latest rankings across major frameworks.

Ranking Body	Category	Rank / Score	Year	Note
NIRF India Rankings	Engineering	#17 National	2025	Score: 64.59 \| Top 3 NIT in India
NIRF India Rankings	Overall	#54 National	2025	Among highest-ranked NITs overall
NAAC Accreditation	Institutional Quality	A++ Grade	Current	Highest grade; only NIT with A++ in India
QS World University Rankings	World	801–1000 Band	2026	Improving year-on-year trajectory
QS Southern Asia Rankings	Southern Asia	#120	2025	Strong regional positioning
NIRF India Rankings	Engineering	#18 National	2024	Previous year comparison; rank improved

      🏅 Why NIT Surathkal is ranked among the Top 3 NITs: NITK's NIRF score of 64.59 in Engineering reflects outstanding performance across Teaching-Learning Resources, Research & Professional Practice, Graduation Outcomes, Outreach & Inclusivity, and Perception. Its research infrastructure worth ₹120 crore, 450+ annual recruiters, and NAAC A++ grade collectively place it in a tier apart from most NITs.
    

Academic Programmes

Courses & Departments at NIT Surathkal

NIT Surathkal offers 57 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across engineering, management, sciences, and information technology. The institute's curriculum is regularly updated to reflect current industry needs and research trends, with new programmes in Artificial Intelligence reflecting 21st-century demand.

💻

B.Tech Computer Science & Engineering (CSE)

Most competitive branch at NITK. JEE OS General closing rank 1827 (JoSAA 2025), HS General 2800. CSE placement rate 93.2% with average package ₹23.24 LPA. Strong in algorithms, systems, software engineering, and AI.

B.Tech · 4 YrsJEE Main115 Seats

🤖

B.Tech Artificial Intelligence (AI)

One of NITK's newest and fastest-growing programmes. High placement demand with IT closing rank pattern similar to CSE. Covers machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and NLP. Growing industry interest from FAANG recruiters.

B.Tech · 4 YrsJEE MainHigh Demand

📡

B.Tech Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE)

One of NITK's flagship departments. Average B.Tech ECE package of ₹21.57 LPA in 2025 placements. Strong in VLSI, embedded systems, signal processing, and wireless communication. Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, and Intel are regular recruiters.

B.Tech · 4 YrsJEE MainVLSI Track

💡

B.Tech Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE)

Covers power systems, control engineering, electric drives, and renewable energy. Strong PSU placement record with BHEL, ONGC, and Power Grid regularly recruiting. Solid option for GATE and civil services aspirants.

B.Tech · 4 YrsJEE MainPSU Recruitment

⚙️

B.Tech Mechanical Engineering

Core engineering programme with strong modules in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, manufacturing, robotics, and CAD/CAM. Consistent core sector placement at Tata, Mahindra, Hero, Bajaj, and Honeywell.

B.Tech · 4 YrsJEE MainCore Sector

🖥️

B.Tech Information Technology (IT)

Highest B.Tech package in 2025 went to an IT student at ₹63.3 LPA. Strong software development and product management curriculum. 83.75% placement rate with top tech company recruiters. Closely aligned with CSE in outcomes.

B.Tech · 4 YrsJEE Main₹63.3 LPA Peak

🏗️

B.Tech Civil Engineering

Well-regarded for structural, geotechnical, and environmental engineering research. NITK's coastal location drives unique research in marine structures and coastal engineering. PSU and government sector placements are strong.

B.Tech · 4 YrsJEE MainCoastal Research

🎓

M.Tech Programmes (Multiple Specialisations)

Two-year postgraduate programmes across CSE, ECE, EEE, Mechanical, Civil, and more via GATE + COAP counselling. M.Tech highest package 2025 was ₹55.57 LPA with 77.65% placement rate. Funded stipend seats available for GATE qualifiers.

M.Tech · 2 YrsGATE + COAPFunded Seats

📊

MBA & MCA Programmes

Two-year MBA via CAT scores; MCA for computer applications. MCA highest package 2025 was ₹30.08 LPA, average ₹12.05 LPA. MBA highest 2025 was ₹12.32 LPA. Both offer strong industry connections in Mangalore and beyond.

MBA · 2 YrsCATMCA · CCMN

Placement Record

NIT Surathkal Placements 2024–25

NIT Surathkal's placement season 2024–25 delivered strong results across all programmes. The B.Tech overall highest package reached ₹63.3 LPA (IT branch) | the highest in NITK's history | with an average B.Tech package of ₹17.48 LPA. Over 1,246 students out of 1,611 eligible were placed across all programmes, with over 450 companies participating in the annual placement drive.

Highest Package (B.Tech 2024–25)

₹63.3 LPA

Average B.Tech Package

₹17.48 LPA

Median B.Tech Package

₹14 LPA

CSE Avg. Package

₹23.24 LPA

ECE Avg. Package

₹21.57 LPA

M.Tech Highest Package

₹55.57 LPA

MCA Highest Package

₹30.08 LPA

Programme	Eligible	Placed	Placement %	Highest Pkg.	Avg. Pkg.	Median Pkg.
B.Tech (Overall)	835	673	80.60%	₹63.3 LPA	₹17.48 LPA	₹14 LPA
B.Tech CSE	129	~120	93.2%	₹52.42 LPA	₹23.24 LPA	₹21.31 LPA
B.Tech IT	~76	~64	83.75%	₹63.3 LPA	₹21+ LPA	\|
B.Tech ECE	\|	\|	\|	\|	₹21.57 LPA	\|
M.Tech	\|	\|	77.65%	₹55.57 LPA	₹13 LPA	₹10 LPA
MCA	\|	\|	\|	₹30.08 LPA	₹12.05 LPA	₹12 LPA
MBA	\|	\|	47.06%	₹12.32 LPA	₹7.67 LPA	₹7 LPA

Top Recruiters at NIT Surathkal 2024–25

Google

Microsoft

Amazon

NVIDIA

Goldman Sachs

Texas Instruments

Wells Fargo

Adobe

Oracle

Qualcomm

Cisco

PayPal

Wipro

Infosys

Accenture

Honeywell

Deloitte

Dell

IBM

Aditya Birla

Admission Cutoff

NIT Surathkal JEE Main Cutoff 2026 | JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks

NIT Surathkal is among the most competitive NITs in India for JEE Main cutoffs. Admission to B.Tech is exclusively through JEE Main ranks via JoSAA and CSAB counselling | there is no management or direct quota. The cutoff ranks below are based on JoSAA 2025 final round data (Round 6) for reference, with 2026 expected estimates.

Branch	Quota	Category	Opening Rank (2025)	Closing Rank (2025)	Expected 2026 (Closing)
CSE	OS	General (Open)	14	1827	~1615–1900
CSE	HS	General (Open)	\|	2800	~2500–2900
CSE	OS	OBC-NCL	\|	2251	~2000–2400
CSE	OS	EWS	\|	549	~500–600
CSE	OS	SC	\|	917	~800–1000
AI / Artificial Intelligence	OS	General	\|	~2000–2500	~1800–2500
IT	OS	General	\|	~2800–3500	~2500–3600
ECE	OS	General	\|	~5000–6000	~4500–6200
EEE	OS	General	\|	~7000–9000	~6500–9500
Mechanical	OS	General	\|	~10000–13000	~10000–14000
Civil	OS	General	\|	~15000–20000	~14000–21000
Mining Engineering	OS	General	\|	25160	~24000–27000

* OS = Other State Quota (50% seats); HS = Home State (Karnataka) Quota (50% seats). Source: JoSAA 2025 official data (josaa.nic.in). 2026 estimates are indicative | actual cutoffs depend on JEE Main 2026 difficulty, seat matrix, and counselling trends.

Fee Structure

NIT Surathkal Fees 2025–26 | B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, MCA

NIT Surathkal offers one of the most affordable fee structures among top-tier engineering institutions in India. The total B.Tech fee for day scholars is approximately ₹5.95 Lakh across four years, making it significantly more accessible than private institutions offering comparable placement outcomes.

Programme	Category	Tuition Fee (per semester)	Approx. Total Fees	Note
B.Tech	General / OBC / EWS	~₹62,500	~₹5.95 Lakh (Day Scholar)	As per 2025–26 NITK fee circular
B.Tech (Hosteller)	General / OBC / EWS	~₹62,500 + Hostel	~₹6.58 Lakh	Shared hostel accommodation
B.Tech	SC / ST / PwD	₹0 (Waived)	Nil (Tuition)	Full tuition waiver by Govt. of India
M.Tech	GATE Qualified	~₹17,500	~₹1.4 Lakh	Stipend of ₹12,400/month for GATE scholars
MBA	All	\|	~₹2–2.5 Lakh	Two-year programme via CAT
MCA	All	\|	~₹1.5–2 Lakh	Three-year programme via CCMN
PhD	Full-Time	Nominal	Stipend-based	MHRD stipend + institute fellowships available

      💡 Scholarships & Financial Aid at NITK: NIT Surathkal offers Merit-cum-Means (MCM) scholarships for economically weaker students, freeship cards, and the Central Sector Scholarship scheme. SC/ST/PwD students pay zero tuition. Students from families with annual income below ₹4.5 Lakh may qualify for full fee remission. For M.Tech GATE scholars, a monthly stipend of ₹12,400 further reduces the financial burden of postgraduate education.
    

Research & Innovation

Research at NIT Surathkal | NITK Research Excellence

NIT Surathkal's research infrastructure, valued at over ₹120 crore, is among the most advanced at any NIT in India | with even top IITs collaborating here for research access.

🔬

Central Research Facility (CRF)

State-of-the-art centralised research facility with electron microscopes, X-ray diffraction systems, high-performance computing clusters, and advanced material characterisation equipment. Valued at ₹120+ crore | accessible even to IIT researchers.

🤖

AI Research Centre

Newly inaugurated AI Research Centre with GPU clusters, deep learning infrastructure, and dedicated labs for machine learning, computer vision, and NLP research. Drives NITK's growing presence in AI-focused publications and industry collaborations.

🌊

Coastal & Ocean Engineering Research

NITK's unique coastal location enables world-class research in wave dynamics, marine structures, tsunami modelling, coastal erosion, and offshore engineering | a niche that gives NITK a global research identity distinct from inland institutes.

⚗️

Materials Science & Nanotechnology

Active research in nanomaterials, polymer composites, biomaterials, catalysis, and corrosion engineering. Collaborative research with international institutions and sponsored projects from DST, SERB, DRDO, and industry partners.

🌐

International Collaborations & MoUs

NITK has signed MoUs with NIT Warangal, NIT Calicut, NIT Andhra Pradesh, NIT Puducherry, GEC Thrissur, GCT Coimbatore, and international universities, enabling joint research, student exchange, and co-supervised PhD programmes.

🏭

Industry Partnerships & Sponsored Research

NITK regularly receives research funding from ISRO, DRDO, DST, SERB, and private industry partners. The Technology Business Incubator (TBI) supports student and faculty startups, fostering a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem on campus.

Campus & Infrastructure

NIT Surathkal Campus Life | 296-Acre Coastal Campus

NIT Surathkal's 296-acre campus on the Karnataka coast is one of the most uniquely situated engineering campuses in India | bordered by the Arabian Sea, featuring a private beach, and home to the historic Surathkal lighthouse. The campus is a self-contained township with world-class academic, residential, and recreational facilities.

🌊

NITK Private Beach

Exclusive beach on the Arabian Sea | a one-of-a-kind feature in any Indian engineering campus

🏠

Student Hostels

Multiple hostels for boys and girls; single and shared rooms; 24/7 security and WiFi

📚

Central Library

85,000+ books, e-journals, IEEE Xplore & Scopus access, digital reading rooms, 24/7 access during exams

🏟️

Sports Complex

Football, cricket, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, swimming pool, and athletics track

🏥

Medical Centre

On-campus health centre with doctors, nurses, and emergency support for students and staff

🍽️

Multiple Mess & Canteens

Central mess, night canteen, food courts serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian options; open late night

🎭

Auditorium & Culture

Large auditorium for tech-cultural festivals; annual Incident & Engineer cultural fests with national participation

🔬

Central Research Facility

₹120+ crore research infrastructure; electron microscopes, XRD, GPU clusters | accessible to IIT researchers

Annual Festivals at NIT Surathkal

Engineer | NITK's annual technical festival, one of the largest in South India, featuring hackathons, robotics competitions, coding challenges, project expos, and industry talks by top engineers and researchers.

Incident | The annual cultural fest at NITK, drawing participation from colleges across India. Features music, dance, drama, literary events, and celebrity performances. The beach-side setting makes Incident uniquely memorable.

Admission Process

How to Get Admission in NIT Surathkal 2026–27

Admission to NIT Surathkal's B.Tech programme is exclusively through JEE Main scores via JoSAA counselling. There is absolutely no management quota, direct admission, or donation-based entry | making the process fully merit-based and transparent.

Qualify JEE Main 2026

Appear for JEE Main 2026 (Session 1: Jan; Session 2: Apr). Target 99+ percentile for CSE/AI; 95–97+ for ECE/IT; lower for core branches. Registration at jeemain.nta.nic.in.

JoSAA Registration

Register on josaa.nic.in after JEE Main results (June 2026). Fill choice preferences including NIT Surathkal branches, quotas (HS/OS), and categories carefully. Rank and category determine seat allotment.

Seat Allotment & Document Verification

JoSAA releases multiple rounds of allotment (6–7 rounds). Accept seat, pay the provisional fee, and report to NIT Surathkal for document verification with originals during reporting dates.

CSAB Special Rounds

If seat not secured through JoSAA, apply for CSAB Special Round counselling for remaining vacant seats. Home State (Karnataka) candidates have advantage in HS quota seats.

NIT Surathkal Eligibility Criteria | B.Tech 2026

Passed Class 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
Minimum 75% aggregate marks (General/OBC-NCL/EWS) or 65% marks (SC/ST/PwD) in qualifying board examination.
Alternatively, be in the top 20 percentile of successful candidates in their respective Class XII board examination.
Valid JEE Main 2026 rank; admission strictly via JoSAA counselling and CSAB Special Rounds.
No management quota or direct admission | all seats (including NRI/foreign national seats via DASA) are merit-based.
M.Tech: Valid GATE score in relevant discipline; admission via GATE-COAP counselling.
MBA: Valid CAT score; selection via NIT Surathkal group discussion and personal interview.
MCA: Admission via CCMN counselling for 2026 (registration deadline June 5, 2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

NIT Surathkal FAQs | 2026–27

The most commonly asked questions about NIT Surathkal admission, ranking, fees, placements, and campus life | answered with updated 2025–26 data.

What is NIT Surathkal's NIRF ranking in 2025?+

As per NIRF 2025, NIT Surathkal is ranked #17 in Engineering with a score of 64.59, and #54 Overall. It holds NAAC A++ accreditation | the highest grade awarded by NAAC | and is the only NIT to have received this distinction. NITK is consistently ranked among the top three NITs in India alongside NIT Trichy and NIT Warangal.

What is the JEE Main cutoff for NIT Surathkal CSE in 2026?+

Based on JoSAA 2025 final round data, the Other State (OS) General category closing rank for NIT Surathkal B.Tech CSE was 1827, while the Home State (Karnataka) General closing rank was 2800. For 2026, the expected OS closing rank is approximately 1615–1900 for General category. For CSE, candidates typically need 99.3–99.5+ percentile in JEE Main.

What is the highest placement package at NIT Surathkal?+

The highest B.Tech placement package at NIT Surathkal in the 2024–25 season was ₹63.3 LPA | offered to an IT branch student and the highest in NITK's history. The average B.Tech package was ₹17.48 LPA, and the CSE average was ₹23.24 LPA. The overall B.Tech placement rate was 80.60%, with 673 out of 835 eligible students placed. Top recruiters included Google, Microsoft, Amazon, NVIDIA, and Goldman Sachs.

What is the total B.Tech fee at NIT Surathkal?+

As per the official NITK fee circular for 2025–26, the total B.Tech fee for a Day Scholar is approximately ₹5.95 Lakh across all four years. For hostellers in shared accommodation, the total is approximately ₹6.58 Lakh. SC/ST/PwD students receive a complete tuition fee waiver. M.Tech GATE scholars receive a monthly stipend of ₹12,400 in addition to heavily subsidised tuition.

Where is NIT Surathkal located?+

NIT Surathkal (NITK) is located at Srinivasnagar P.O., NH-66, Surathkal, Mangalore, Karnataka 575025. The 296-acre campus sits on the Arabian Sea coastline, 22 km north of Mangalore city centre. The campus uniquely features its own private NITK Beach and the historic Surathkal lighthouse. Mangalore International Airport is approximately 25 km away, and Mangalore Junction Railway Station is about 18 km from campus.

When was NIT Surathkal established?+

NIT Surathkal was established in 1960 as Karnataka Regional Engineering College (KREC) under the academic mentorship of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. It was one of the first Regional Engineering Colleges set up by the Government of India to expand technical education access. In 2002, it was upgraded to the status of National Institute of Technology (NIT) under an Act of Parliament and designated an Institute of National Importance.

Is NIT Surathkal better than other NITs?+

NIT Surathkal (NITK) is consistently ranked among the top 3 NITs in India, alongside NIT Trichy (#9 NIRF Engineering) and NIT Warangal (#16 NIRF Engineering). NITK's strengths include the only NAAC A++ grade among NITs, ₹120 crore research infrastructure, coastal campus uniqueness, a 64-year legacy, and a tight JEE CSE cutoff (OS rank ~1827) rivalling older IITs. For ECE, CS, and IT students particularly, NITK offers IIT-level academic outcomes at a fraction of IIT-level cutoff competition.

Does NIT Surathkal have a beach on campus?+

Yes | one of NITK's most distinctive features is its very own private NITK Beach directly on the Arabian Sea coast. Students can access the beach at any time, and it serves as a recreational, social, and cultural space. The beach setting also uniquely enables NITK's specialisation in coastal and ocean engineering research. The historic Surathkal lighthouse, located within campus grounds, further adds to the campus's remarkable character.

NIT Surathkal |
National Institute of
Technology Karnataka