Okta to invest in R&D, expand Bengaluru AI hub, grow India staff 50% by 2026
Okta’s latest move signals more than a budget line item. The identity‑management firm announced a fresh R&D budget aimed at bolstering its artificial‑intelligence operations on the Bengaluru campus, a site it has already positioned as a regional hub. While the tech is impressive, the real question is how the company plans to staff that growth.
The announcement comes alongside a broader strategy to deepen product development capabilities in India, a market the firm has highlighted as a key source of engineering talent. Here’s the thing: expanding a research centre without matching human resources would be a hollow effort. By laying out a concrete hiring roadmap, Okta is tying its AI ambitions to a measurable increase in personnel.
The plan outlines a specific target for headcount growth, a timeline, and a focus on the kinds of engineers needed to move from prototype to production at scale. This context frames the company’s next step.
Furthermore, Okta intends to increase its workforce in India by 50% by 2026, focusing on advanced engineering and product development talent to further its goal of securing AI at scale. According to the company, this expansion underscores India's importance as a vital global tech talent centre and is closely linked to Okta's international growth strategy to double its revenue from $5 billion to $10 billion. "Our expansion in Bengaluru is about amplifying our ability to innovate at the speed of AI.
India's talent pool has the unique depth required to tackle the complex security challenges of securing AI agents and the expanded identity surface," Shakeel Khan, regional vice president & country manager at Okta India, said in a statement. "This new facility will be the engine that helps build the identity layer of the future, ensuring that Okta leads the charge in securing the Age of AI for customers across sectors," he added. Okta's research shows that 91% of companies have AI agents, yet only 10% have security plans for them.
Okta’s new commitment signals a clear focus on India. It plans to pour a sizable investment into R&D at its Bengaluru campus, aiming to build an Identity Security Fabric that can protect a growing AI‑driven ecosystem. It also pledges to boost its Indian workforce by half by 2026, targeting engineers and product developers.
While the expansion underscores India’s role as a global tech talent hub, the timeline for delivering “AI at scale” security remains uncertain. The updated facility will prioritize rapid development of identity solutions, yet it's unclear whether the added staff can meet those ambitions. Moreover, the emphasis on AI‑driven identity advancements suggests a strategic pivot, but concrete metrics for success have not been disclosed.
Okta’s statement positions the Bengaluru hub as a central node for its future roadmap, though the broader impact on its global services will depend on execution. In short, the plan is ambitious, the resources are earmarked, and the outcomes will need to be measured as the rollout proceeds.
Further Reading
- Okta Expands India Operations to Help Customers Secure AI at Scale - CXOToday
- India is not just a talent hub anymore, it's a strong mini-headquarters for us: Bhawna Singh, Okta - Express Computer
- Okta deepens commitment to APAC with new Indian office - IT Brief (TechDay Network)
- Okta Enters the Indian Market with New Offices and Innovation Center, Expanding Asia Pacific Investment - SiliconIndia
- Atomicwork Secures Investment from Okta Ventures to Revolutionize IT Service Management with AI - ET B2B (Economic Times)
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Common Questions Answered
What is the size of the workforce increase Okta plans for India by 2026?
Okta intends to grow its Indian workforce by 50% by 2026, focusing on advanced engineering and product development talent. This expansion is part of its strategy to support AI at scale and its broader international growth goals.
How does Okta's new R&D budget relate to its Bengaluru AI hub?
The new R&D budget is earmarked to strengthen artificial‑intelligence operations at Okta's Bengaluru campus, which the company has already positioned as a regional AI hub. Investment in this hub aims to accelerate product development and build an Identity Security Fabric for AI‑driven ecosystems.
What revenue target is Okta aiming to achieve alongside its India expansion?
Okta's international growth strategy seeks to double its revenue from $5 billion to $10 billion. The expansion of its Indian staff and R&D capabilities is presented as a key driver toward reaching this revenue milestone.
What is the intended purpose of the Identity Security Fabric mentioned in the announcement?
The Identity Security Fabric is designed to protect a growing AI‑driven ecosystem by providing robust identity‑management and security controls. Okta plans to develop this fabric through its expanded R&D efforts in Bengaluru, aligning with its goal of delivering AI at scale.