After Bengaluru, NTT DATA Eyes 2 More Karnataka Cities: 1,600 Jobs and IT Expansion Plans – Check Locations in Focus
IT giant NTT DATA is planning for expansion in Mangaluru and Udupi, signalling growing interest in Karnataka's coastal technology corridor. The company has a target of expanding its workforce in Mangaluru from approximately 900 to more than 2,500 by 2027, and is considering additional job opportunities in Udupi. The two cities are slowly becoming the alternatives to Bengaluru with an established IT ecosystem, qualified workforce and growing infrastructure.
NTT DATA's expansion plans in Mangaluru and Udupi
NTT DATA is planning to expand its operations from Bengaluru to coastal Karnataka. The company intends to expand its Mangaluru base to over 2500 employees by 2027 from the current size of about 900. This represents an addition of around 1,600 jobs.
The company entered Mangaluru business by acquiring Niveus Solutions, a cloud engineering firm based in Karnataka. It's based in the region with a focus on specialised technology capabilities, such as Google Cloud, AI and digital transformation.
The proposed expansion also features another campus in Mangaluru, which is set to build competencies in the area of healthcare, life sciences, automotive, manufacturing and high technology sectors, while NTT DATA plans to expand its presence in the city. The Government of Karnataka has demonstrated its support in skilling programs that are geared towards industries, through infrastructure development and tie-ups with academic institutes.
The company also discussed with IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge regarding the possibilities of their expansion in Udupi during the discussions held on November 2, 2026. Cloud services, data centres, a local startup ecosystem and collaboration with it, digital infrastructure, were all discussed. The extension is notable as it may create job opportunities for specialised technology jobs for the coastal Karnataka region and bolster its reputation as an emerging alternate location of the IT hub outside Bengaluru.
Mangaluru and Udupi: Karnataka's Emerging IT Corridor
Mangaluru and Udupi are now emerging as a tech hub of the state of Karnataka under the ‘Beyond Bengaluru Initiative' program. The Silicon Beach programme of Mangaluru, supported by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) is focused on attracting IT companies, startups and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) to the coastal region.
As of 2026, Mangaluru's technology ecosystem comprises over 300 technology companies, 400 startups and a workforce of more than 50,000, according to industry figures presented at Mangaluru Technovanza 2026.The area has also seen more than 60 companies locate there and 13,000 jobs created in the last 3 years.
The state is also planning a larger digital infrastructure push, with around 350 acres identified in the Baikampady Industrial Area for a data centre park. A proposed Mangaluru cable landing station is another development being explored to improve international digital connectivity. These projects, if implemented, could attract data centre operators, technology firms and related businesses to the coastal region.
Existing IT presence in Mangaluru and Udupi
The city already has a presence of IT companies, technology startups and engineering businesses at Mangaluru and Udupi. Infosys have a well-established development center in Mangaluru, and Niveus Solutions, now a part of NTT DATA, specialize in Cloud engineering and Google cloud services, based in Udupi. Other leading companies are Robosoft Technologies, acquired by Japan's TechnoPro Holdings in 2021 for about ₹805 crore and Novigo Solutions, an IT services company from Mangaluru acquired by R Systems. There are also technology companies like UniCourt, GlowTouch Technologies, 99Games, Global Delight, Semnox and CodeCraft Technologies in the region. Presence of domestic and international technology companies gives a platform to more investments and job creation in the coastal Karnataka.
Also read: From Delhi-Mumbai to Bengaluru-Chennai: 7 Expressway Corridors to Watch for Land Investment in 2026-27
Emerging locations for real estate investment in Mangaluru and Udupi
The expansion of the IT infrastructure and employment hubs may be useful for the localities like Mangalurere Derebail, Kottara, Kavoor, Yeyyadi and Surathkal in Mangaluru. Derebail is particularly becoming popular for IT park while Kottara and Kavoor are becoming residential and rental markets. The Airport Road and Nanthur–Vamanjoor corridors could also see increased development as the city expands eastwards.
Some places to look out for are Manipal, Manipal, Kunjibettu, Shivalli and Brahmavar in Udupi. There is an established ecosystem of education, skill development in Manipal, and residential and commercial development opportunities in the vicinity of Udupi city. Enhanced connectivity in NH-66 and industrial activities in the district may further support the demand for housing and commercial properties.
The average listed price of residential property in Mangaluru is approximately ₹6,300/sq. ft. which was up 9.53% year on year. The average in Udupi was approximately ₹4,500 per sq. ft.
The demand for renting has also surged in Mangaluru, and 2BHK apartments in the city center are being rented for ₹25,000–30,000 per month, whereas those in suburbs are being rented for ₹20,000 per month. There have been 20-35% increases in the city's residential rental market since 2021.
With the expansion of IT companies, these places may be attractive to developers who wish to introduce apartments, plotted developments, office spaces and mixed use projects.
Conclusion
The expansion by NTT DATA gives a boost to Mangaluru and Udupi's burgeoning IT ecosystem. Coastal Karnataka is set to become an important technology and real estate growth corridor in the near future with existing technology companies, skilled talent, upcoming technology infrastructure and improving commercial activities.