CSAB 2027
Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) Counselling for NITs, IIITs and GFTIs
CSAB runs the Special Rounds that fill NIT, IIIT and GFTI seats left vacant after JoSAA, plus supernumerary and NEUT rounds. In 2026 the Special Rounds were held from 28 July to 18 August.
- Conducted by
- Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) 2026, chaired by the Director of IIEST Shibpur, constituted by the Ministry of Education (Office Memorandum dated 25 February 2026)
- Mode
- Fully online: fresh registration, fee payment, choice filling, seat allotment, online document verification
- Frequency
- Once a year, after the JoSAA rounds end
- Duration
- About two weeks of Special Rounds (28 July to 18 August 2026)
CSAB 2027: Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern
Updated on 18 October 2026 · Compiled from official Central Seat Allocation Board notices
CSAB is the follow-up counselling for the NIT+ system. It is a counselling process, so it has no exam pattern, syllabus or admit card.
About CSAB
The Central Seat Allocation Board conducts follow-up counselling for the NIT+ system after JoSAA ends. Its Special Rounds fill NIT, IIEST Shibpur, IIIT and other GFTI seats that remain vacant, and it also runs supernumerary and North-Eastern state and Union Territory rounds under AICTE reservation. It suits JEE Main candidates who missed JoSAA, lost or withdrew a seat, or want a better NIT+ seat; IIT seats are not included. There is no exam of its own, since the JEE Main rank is used. The 2026 Special Rounds ran from 28 July to 18 August 2026, and the 2027 schedule is not announced.
CSAB 2027 at a glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam name | Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) Counselling for NITs, IIITs and GFTIs |
| Conducted by | Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) 2026, chaired by the Director of IIEST Shibpur, constituted by the Ministry of Education (Office Memorandum dated 25 February 2026) |
| Frequency | Once a year, after the JoSAA rounds end |
| Mode | Fully online: fresh registration, fee payment, choice filling, seat allotment, online document verification |
| Duration | About two weeks of Special Rounds (28 July to 18 August 2026) |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Courses | B.E., B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Planning in NITs, IIEST Shibpur, IIITs and other GFTIs; also supernumerary and NEUT seat rounds |
| Accepted by | NITs, IIEST Shibpur, IIITs, SPAs and other GFTIs that still have vacant seats after JoSAA. IITs are not part of CSAB Special Rounds. |
| Official website | csab.nic.in |
What CSAB does
The Central Seat Allocation Board frames the rules for seat allocation to NITs, IIEST Shibpur, IIITs and other GFTIs and, with the IITs' board, forms JoSAA. When JoSAA ends and seats remain vacant in the NIT+ system, CSAB conducts two Special Rounds on its own portal, csab.nic.in.
Apart from the Special Rounds, the 2026 brochure says CSAB also runs a Supernumerary Round for selected NITs (Durgapur, Calicut and SVNIT Surat) for candidates from Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and NEUT rounds for North-Eastern states and Union Territories under the AICTE reservation scheme.
Why there is no pattern, syllabus or admit card tab
CSAB does not hold a test. Your JEE Main rank is the entry ticket, and the only document needed from the JEE side is the JEE Main 2026 admit card, uploaded during verification. For pattern, syllabus and admit card refer to the JEE Main hub.
CSAB Special Rounds 2026 at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vacancy display | 28 July 2026, 10:00 |
| Registration, fee payment and choice filling | 28 July to 3 August (registration) and 5 August 2026, 14:00 (choice locking) |
| Mock allocation | 31 July 2026 |
| Special Round 1 result | 6 August 2026, 17:00 |
| Special Round 2 result | 12 August 2026, 17:00 |
| Physical reporting at institutes | 13 to 18 August 2026 (tentative; check the institute) |
Source: Annexure 3 of the CSAB Special Rounds 2026 information brochure on csab.nic.in.
Who should take part
- Candidates who did not register in JoSAA 2026 but are eligible.
- Candidates whose JoSAA seat was cancelled or who withdrew.
- Candidates who hold a JoSAA NIT+ seat and want a better one. If a new seat is allotted, the earlier seat is lost.
Explore CSAB 2027
- CSAB DatesRegistration, exam and result timeline
- CSAB Application FormSteps, fee, documents and photo rules
- CSAB EligibilityWho can apply, attempts and age
- CSAB ResultScorecard, rank and what comes next
- CSAB CutoffQualifying marks and admission cutoffs
- CSAB CounsellingRounds, choice filling and documents
- CSAB PreparationStudy plan, strategy and mistakes
- CSAB All GuidesEvery guide, predictor and article
Frequently asked questions
Does CSAB include IITs?
No. The Special Rounds fill vacant seats of NITs, IIEST, IIITs and other GFTIs only.
Is CSAB 2027 announced?
No. It follows the JoSAA 2027 rounds, so expect it around late July 2027.
What is CSAB?
The Central Seat Allocation Board frames rules for NIT+ seat allocation and runs Special Rounds for vacant seats after JoSAA.
Is there an exam for CSAB?
No. CSAB uses your JEE Main rank, so it has no pattern, syllabus or admit card of its own.
Do I need to register again on CSAB?
Yes. Fresh registration on csab.nic.in is mandatory. JoSAA registration is not valid.
How many Special Rounds were there in 2026?
Two. Round 1 result on 6 August 2026 and Round 2 result on 12 August 2026.
What is the CSAB 2026 enrolment fee?
Rs 40,000 for General, EWS and OBC-NCL, and Rs 19,000 for SC, ST and PwD. It includes a non-refundable Rs 5,000 processing fee.
What is IAF-II?
Institute Admission Fee-II, paid after allotment: Rs 35,000 for General, EWS and OBC-NCL and Rs 16,000 for SC, ST and PwD in 2026.
Are IIT seats part of CSAB?
No. CSAB Special Rounds fill NIT, IIEST, IIIT and other GFTI seats only.
Can I keep my JoSAA seat while taking part?
Yes for Type 6 candidates, but if a new seat is allotted, the old one is lost.
Does choice filling from JoSAA carry over?
No. Earlier choices stand cancelled and you must fill fresh choices.
When will CSAB 2027 happen?
No dates yet. It will start after JoSAA 2027 ends, likely late July 2027.
Who runs the CSAB supernumerary and NEUT rounds?
CSAB itself, on csab.nic.in, for specified Union Territories and North-Eastern candidates.