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 Eligibility
Updated on 18 October 2026 · Compiled from official Central Seat Allocation Board notices
Everyone eligible for the NIT+ system in JoSAA by their JEE Main 2026 rank is eligible for the Special Rounds.
Qualifying examination
| Programme | Qualifying exam |
|---|---|
| B.E. or B.Tech | JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 |
| B.Arch | JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A |
| B.Planning | JEE Main 2026 Paper 2B |
Qualifying does not guarantee admission. Each institute or programme may have additional eligibility requirements.
Class XII top 20 percentile cut-off marks 2026 (CBSE)
| Category | CBSE Class XII cut-off (out of 500) |
|---|---|
| General | 418 |
| GEN-EWS | 407 |
| OBC-NCL | 407 |
| SC | 391 |
| ST | 380 |
| PwD | 380 |
Source: CSAB 'Top 20 percentile category wise cut-off marks (out of 500) for 2026' PDF on csab.nic.in. Other boards have their own rows in the PDF; NR means not reported, in which case the candidate needs a board certificate of top 20 percentile standing.
Types of eligible candidates
- Type 1: eligible candidates who did not register in JoSAA 2026.
- Candidates who registered but were not allotted any seat, or whose seat was cancelled for non-payment of the seat acceptance fee.
- Candidates whose IIT seats were cancelled after document verification or who validly withdrew.
- Candidates who withdrew from an NIT+ seat, or whose seat was cancelled for not paying the partial admission fee after verification.
- Candidates who already secured an NIT+ seat (Type 6) and want to try for a better one while retaining it until a new seat is allotted.
Retaining a JoSAA seat
Type 6 candidates sign a declaration that if a new seat is allotted in the Special Rounds, the retained seat is released and they cannot claim it back. Candidates who paid the Partial Admission Fee in JoSAA and do not want to participate in CSAB must complete admission formalities at the institute as per the schedule.
More CSAB eligibility guides
- CSAB 2027 After JoSAA – Eligibility Mechanism ExplainedHow CSAB 2027 eligibility after JoSAA is expected to work — the physical-reporting rule, withdrawal timing, and what stays eligible vs ineligible.Read guide
- CSAB 2027 Eligibility — Who Will Be Able to Apply?CSAB 2027 eligibility explained — the stable criteria (JEE Main rank, JoSAA participation, reporting status) used consistently across past cycles, ahead of the...Read guide
- CSAB 2027 Eligibility Criteria — Complete Guide (Process-Based)A complete, mechanism-based guide to CSAB 2027 eligibility — JEE Main rank, JoSAA participation, Class 12 requirements, category documents, and NEUT round.Read guide
- CSAB 2027 PwD Eligibility – Criteria & Horizontal ReservationCSAB 2027 details aren't published yet, but PwD eligibility criteria — disability types, certificate rules, horizontal reservation — are stable, evergreen rules under...Read guide
- Can I Do CSAB 2026 After Withdrawing from JoSAA?Can you do CSAB 2026 after withdrawing from JoSAA? Yes — with important conditions. Understand JoSAA withdrawal eligibility rules for CSAB, what documents prove...Read guide
- CSAB 2026 Defence Quota Eligibility Documents RequiredDocuments needed to prove defence/ex-servicemen ward status for CSAB 2026 defence quota — certificate issuing authorities and verification checklist.Read guide
- CSAB 2026 Eligibility – Who Can Apply?Check complete CSAB 2026 eligibility criteria. Know who can apply for CSAB special rounds – JEE Main qualified candidates who missed a JoSAA seat or want to upgrade.Read guide
- CSAB 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Who Is NOT EligibleDetailed CSAB 2026 eligibility criteria by category — JEE Main qualifying rules, state quota nuances, who is NOT eligible, and documentation requirements.Read guide