JoSAA counselling 2026 registration is open for IIT, NIT, IIIT and GFTI admissions. Access official 6-round dates, Dual-Reporting rules, CSAB timeline, choice filling matrix, SAF/PAF fee structure, and document verification rules.
JoSAA counselling 2026 registration is open for IIT, NIT, IIIT and GFTI admissions. Access official 6-round dates, Dual-Reporting rules, CSAB timeline, choice filling matrix, SAF/PAF fee structure, and document verification rules. College Confirm provides verified admission updates, counselling timelines, cutoff analysis and practical guidance for JEE and NEET aspirants. Our admission research team analyses official announcements and converts complex counselling information into simple actionable guidance.
Students should verify official deadlines, eligibility requirements, documents and counselling instructions before completing registration, payment or choice filling activities.
This detailed admission guide covers important dates, registration process, counselling rounds, eligibility, choice filling strategy and seat allotment information.
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) 2026 has officially opened online candidate registration and choice filling for centralized admissions into 120+ premier technical institutions across India. Operating under a single-window portal, JoSAA regulates admissions to 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), 31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), 26 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and 38 Other-Government Funded Technical Institutes (Other-GFTIs). Candidates qualifying JEE Advanced 2026 are eligible to register for choices across all participating institutes (IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs). Candidates qualifying JEE Main 2026 can submit choice options specifically for the NIT+ System (NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs). To secure a seat without forfeiture, candidates must strictly adhere to the official 6-round online allocation schedule, dual-reporting protocols, and seat acceptance fee (SAF/PAF) deadlines.
Understanding how seat quotas and reservation pools are distributed across the IIT and NIT+ systems is essential for mapping realistic preference orders during choice filling.
| Institution Category | Total Institutes | Quota System Applied | Qualifying Entrance Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) | 23 Institutes | All India Quota (100% seats open to candidates nationwide) | JEE (Advanced) 2026 Qualified |
| National Institutes of Technology (NITs) | 31 Institutes | Home State Quota (50%) + Other State Quota (50%) | JEE (Main) 2026 Qualified (Paper-1 / Paper-2) |
| Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) | 26 Institutes | All India Quota (Majority) / Select State-Specific Quotas | JEE (Main) 2026 Qualified |
| Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) | 38 Institutes | All India Quota + Specific Regional Quotas (e.g., PEC, BIT Mesra) | JEE (Main) 2026 Qualified |
Below is the official round-by-round timeline for JoSAA 2026 online registration, choice locking, seat allocation, query response windows, and fee payments.
| Counselling Activity / Round | Start Date & Time | End Date & Time | Key Operational Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration & Choice Filling Window | June 2, 2026 (10:00 AM) | June 11, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Candidates fill and order institute preferences. |
| Mock Seat Allocation 1 | June 8, 2026 (2:00 PM) | June 8, 2026 | Simulated outcome based on choices filled till June 7. |
| Mock Seat Allocation 2 | June 10, 2026 (1:00 PM) | June 10, 2026 | Simulated outcome based on choices filled till June 9. |
| Choice Locking Deadline | June 11, 2026 (10:00 AM) | June 11, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Unsaved/unlocked choices auto-lock at 5:00 PM permanently. |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment & Online Reporting | June 13, 2026 (10:00 AM) | June 18, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Mandatory upload of documents & SAF payment. |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment & Online Reporting | June 30, 2026 (5:00 PM) | July 4, 2026 (5:00 PM) | First online seat withdrawal window opens. |
| Round 3 Seat Allotment & Online Reporting | July 6, 2026 (5:00 PM) | July 9, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Query response window for uploaded documents. |
| Round 4 Seat Allotment & IIT Exit Deadline | July 10, 2026 (5:00 PM) | July 14, 2026 (5:00 PM) | FINAL EXIT DEADLINE FOR IIT SEATS. No IIT withdrawals after R4. |
| Round 5 Seat Allotment (Final Round for IITs) | July 16, 2026 (5:00 PM) | July 21, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Final round of seat allocation for 23 IITs. |
| Round 6 Seat Allotment (Final Round for NIT+ System) | July 17, 2026 (5:00 PM) | July 22, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Final allocation round for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. |
| Partial Admission Fee (PAF) Payment Window | July 22, 2026 (10:00 AM) | July 24, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Mandatory payment for candidates retaining seats in NIT+ system. |
Following Round 6 of JoSAA, remaining vacant seats across NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs are filled through CSAB (Central Seat Allocation Board) Special Rounds. (Note: IITs do not participate in CSAB).
| CSAB Event Stage | Start Date | End Date | Crucial Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSAB Vacant Seat Matrix Display | July 26, 2026 (10:00 AM) | July 26, 2026 | Official publication of unfilled seats after JoSAA R6. |
| CSAB Registration & Fresh Choice Filling | July 26, 2026 (10:00 AM) | July 30, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Fresh registration required for CSAB Special Rounds. |
| CSAB Special Round 1 Allocation | August 2, 2026 (5:00 PM) | August 6, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Online reporting and SAF II fee payment. |
| CSAB Special Round 2 Allocation (Final) | August 8, 2026 (5:00 PM) | August 12, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Final seat allotment round for the engineering session. |
Candidates must complete the six procedural steps below on the official JoSAA portal (`josaa.nic.in`) to participate in allocation rounds.
| Stage | Mandatory Action Required | Key Operational Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: One-Time Authentication | Log in using JEE Main 2026 Application Number and Password. | JEE Advanced qualified candidates authenticate with Advanced Roll No. automatically. |
| Step 2: Profile Verification | Verify contact details, domicile state, gender, state code of eligibility, and category. | State Code of Eligibility is determined by where you passed Class 12, NOT native domicile. |
| Step 3: Choice Filling & Priority Ranking | Select institute + academic program combinations from the available active list. | Add as many valid choices as possible; there is no upper limit on choices. |
| Step 4: Mock Allotment Evaluation | Review Mock Allotment 1 & 2 outcomes to analyze allocation probability. | Re-order or add lower/higher preference branches based on mock feedback. |
| Step 5: Choice Locking | Manually enter password to lock choices or allow system auto-locking. | Unsaved or unlocked choices lock automatically on June 11, 2026 (5:00 PM). |
| Step 6: Seat Allotment & Decision Option | Check round result and select Willingness: **Freeze**, **Float**, or **Slide**. | Selecting Willingness requires mandatory upload of documents and SAF payment. |
When allotted a seat in any round, candidates must submit their willingness option during online reporting. Failure to upload documents or pay fees results in cancellation of the allotted seat. * **Freeze:** You accept the allotted seat and opt out of participating in further rounds of choice upgradation. The seat is locked permanently. * **Float:** You accept the allotted seat but wish to be considered for a higher-preference academic program across **ANY institute** in subsequent rounds. * **Slide:** You accept the allotted seat but wish to be considered for a higher-preference academic program **WITHIN THE SAME institute** in subsequent rounds. * **Dual-Reporting Protocol:** If your seat upgrades from an NIT/IIIT/GFTI to an IIT (or vice-versa) in a subsequent round, you must undergo **Dual Online Reporting** to re-verify documents according to the new system's rules.
Participation and retention of allotted seats require paying two separate fees online via SBI Net Banking, Debit/Credit Cards, or UPI. These fees are later adjusted against the first-semester college tuition fee.
| Fee Component | General / Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL | SC / ST / PwD Candidates | Purpose & Official Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) | ₹35,000 | ₹17,500 | Paid in the round where a seat is allotted for the FIRST time to secure allocation. |
| Partial Admission Fee (PAF) | ₹40,000 | ₹20,000 | Mandatory payment between July 22 – July 24, 2026 for candidates retaining seats in NIT+ system. |
| CSAB Special Round Fee Adjustment | Carried Forward | Carried Forward | SAF and PAF fees paid in JoSAA are automatically transferred if participating in CSAB Special Rounds. |
The JoSAA automated allocation engine processes student choices sequentially from Preference #1 downward. Once a candidate's merit rank matches an available seat in an open preference, the system assigns that seat instantly. To construct an optimal preference list using past 3 year'opening and closing rank cutoffs, structure your list into three distinct tiers:
| Tier Category | Rank Cutoff Strategy | Target Institution Type | Recommended Choice Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: Dream Choices | Cutoffs 1,000 – 3,000 ranks ABOVE your JEE Rank | Top Tier IITs/NITs (e.g., IIT Bombay CSE, IIT Delhi Electrical, NIT Trichy CSE) | 20% – 25% of total choice list |
| Tier 2: Target Choices | Cutoffs matching within ±1,000 ranks of your JEE Rank | Established mid-tier IITs, top state NITs, and core IIITs matching your rank profile | 50% of total choice list |
| Tier 3: Safe / Backup Choices | Cutoffs 2,000 – 5,000 ranks BELOW your JEE Rank | Newer IITs/NITs, established GFTIs, or lower-demand core branches to guarantee allocation | 25% – 30% of total choice list |
Candidates must upload clear scanned PDF copies of original certificates during online reporting. Discrepancies in uploaded documents lead to query generation; unresponded queries result in seat cancellation.
| Document Name | IIT Candidates Requirement | NIT+ System Candidates Requirement | Format & Cutoff Validity Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 10 Marksheet / Birth Certificate | Mandatory | Mandatory | Proof of Date of Birth (PDF) |
| Class 12 Marksheet & Passing Certificate | Mandatory | Mandatory | Must meet top 20 percentile or 75% aggregate rule |
| Category Certificate (OBC-NCL / EWS) | Mandatory (If Applicable) | Mandatory (If Applicable) | Central Format issued ON OR AFTER April 1, 2026 |
| Category Certificate (SC / ST) | Mandatory (If Applicable) | Mandatory (If Applicable) | Central Format issued by competent revenue authority |
| Original Certificate of PwD | Mandatory (If Applicable) | Mandatory (If Applicable) | Issued by designated JoSAA Medical Boards |
| Passport / Aadhaar / State Eligibility Proof | Mandatory | Mandatory | Valid photo identity document |
| Medical Fitness Certificate | Mandatory | Mandatory | Format Annexure 7 signed by Registered Doctor |
| Crossed Cheque / Bank Passbook Copy | Mandatory | Mandatory | For fee refund/verification in candidate's name |
1. **Missing the IIT Exit Deadline (July 14, 2026):** IIT seats cannot be withdrawn in or after Round 5. If you wish to withdraw from an IIT seat and claim a fee refund, you must complete online withdrawal before July 14, 2026 (5:00 PM). 2. **Failing to Pay Partial Admission Fee (July 22 – 24, 2026):** Candidates retaining seats in the NIT+ system must pay the PAF (₹40,000 / ₹20,000). Failing to pay by July 24 cancels your allotted seat automatically. 3. **Failing to Respond to Portal Queries:** If the document verification officer raises a query on your uploaded certificate, you must respond online before the query deadline or your seat will be cancelled. 4. **Confusing State Code of Eligibility with Domicile:** State Code of Eligibility is where you completed your Class 12 examination, NOT your home state or permanent residence address. 5. **Assuming Mock Allotments Are Final Seats:** Mock allotments are indicative simulations. You must finalize your choices based on historical cutoff analysis.
CollegeConfirm provides JEE aspirants with advanced rank analytics, 3-year historical opening and closing rank comparison tools, institute predictors, and real-time choice list builders to maximize engineering admission opportunities.
After checking the counselling schedule, students should prepare documents, analyse previous cutoff trends, create balanced preferences and complete every counselling activity before the deadline.
Check official dates and eligibility criteria.
Keep certificates and documents ready.
Create college preference strategy.
Compare colleges using cutoff data.
Use College Confirm prediction tools, cutoff analysis and counselling resources to understand admission possibilities and make informed JEE and NEET decisions.
JoSAA 2026 online registration and choice filling commenced on June 2, 2026, and closed on June 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM IST.
For candidates retaining seats in the NIT+ system after JoSAA Round 6, the Partial Admission Fee (PAF) must be paid online between July 22, 2026 and July 24, 2026 (5:00 PM IST).
The final deadline to withdraw an allotted seat from an IIT and claim a refund is July 14, 2026 (5:00 PM IST) during Round 4 reporting.
CSAB Special Rounds for vacant seats in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs begin with seat matrix publication on July 26, 2026, followed by online choice filling from July 26 to July 30, 2026.
OBC-NCL and EWS category certificates must be issued in the Central Government format on or after April 1, 2026.
'Freeze' confirms the allotted seat and opts out of further rounds. 'Float' accepts the seat but allows upgradation to higher choices across ANY institute. 'Slide' accepts the seat but allows upgradation to higher choices WITHIN THE SAME institute.
The Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) is ₹35,000 for General / Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL candidates and ₹17,500 for SC / ST / PwD candidates.
If you do not manually lock your choices by June 11, 2026 (5:00 PM), your last saved choice preference list is automatically locked by the server.
The State Code of Eligibility is the state where the candidate passed or appeared for their Class 12 or equivalent qualifying examination, regardless of native domicile or permanent address.
No. CSAB Special Rounds are conducted exclusively for vacant seats in the NIT+ system (NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs). IIT admissions conclude strictly with JoSAA Round 5.
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