Deloitte, the UK-headquartered professional services firm, is preparing for a significant expansion in India, with plans to hire an additional 50,000 employees and establish operations in Mangaluru. The move underscores India’s growing importance in Deloitte’s global strategy and highlights the firm’s confidence in the country’s talent pool and long-term economic potential. The proposed expansion will further strengthen Deloitte’s footprint beyond major metros as it looks to tap emerging regional hubs.
Confirming the company’s intent to enter Mangaluru, Romal Shetty, CEO of Deloitte South Asia, said the firm’s presence in the coastal Karnataka city was certain, though the timeline would be determined over time. “We will come to Mangaluru. There is no doubt about it. It is only a matter of time,” Shetty said while addressing TiE Con Mangaluru 2026, a startup-focused convention. He was speaking during a session titled “India@2047 — The Trillion Dollar Opportunity,” which explored India’s growth trajectory over the next two decades.
Shetty highlighted that Deloitte already has a substantial presence in India, employing nearly 140,000 professionals across the country. With the planned addition of 50,000 employees, India is set to play an even more central role in Deloitte’s global operations. The expansion is expected to support a wide range of services, including consulting, audit, risk advisory, technology, and digital transformation, catering to both domestic and international clients.
Emphasising India’s strategic importance, Shetty noted that one in every four Deloitte employees worldwide is currently based in India. He added that the firm intends to increase this proportion further as it scales operations to meet rising global demand. This reflects a broader trend among multinational professional services firms that are increasingly relying on India not only as a talent hub but also as a centre for innovation, delivery, and leadership.
Deloitte’s planned entry into Mangaluru aligns with a growing interest among large enterprises in Tier-2 cities, driven by factors such as availability of skilled talent, lower operating costs, and supportive local ecosystems. For Mangaluru, the move is expected to enhance its profile as an emerging professional services and technology destination, creating new employment opportunities and strengthening the region’s integration into global business networks.
