Can I Do JoSAA and State Counselling at the Same Time?
Yes — but managing parallel counsellings requires strategy. Here is how to avoid losing fees and missing deadlines.
Is It Legal to Participate in Both?
Yes — there is no rule preventing you from registering in both JoSAA and one or more state counsellings simultaneously. JoSAA does not communicate in real-time with state counselling portals. You can register, fill choices, and even receive allotments in both processes at the same time.
The catch is purely financial and logistical. If you accept a seat in both JoSAA and a state counselling by paying acceptance fees in both, you will eventually have to choose one — and the fee paid to the one you do not join is typically non-refundable.
The Golden Rule
Register in state counsellings early (free or low-cost). Delay paying any acceptance fee until you have clarity on your JoSAA outcome (by Round 4 or 5).
States with Conflicting Timelines (2026)
| State / Exam | Approx. Counselling Period | Overlap with JoSAA? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP EAMCET (Andhra Pradesh) | June – August | Yes (significant) | Runs parallel with JoSAA Rounds 1–6 |
| TS EAMCET (Telangana) | June – August | Yes (significant) | Parallel with JoSAA and CSAB |
| MHT-CET (Maharashtra) | July – August | Partial | Late rounds overlap with JoSAA end + CSAB |
| TNEA (Tamil Nadu) | July – August | Partial | Overlaps with JoSAA rounds 4–6 |
| KCET (Karnataka) | July – August | Partial | Usually starts after JoSAA Round 2 |
| REAP (Rajasthan) | July | Partial | Mid-July, after JoSAA Round 4–5 |
| UPSEE / AKTU (UP) | July | Partial | JoSAA and UP counselling overlap in late July |
Recommended Strategy: JoSAA Primary, State as Backup
Here is the step-by-step approach most counsellors recommend for managing parallel admissions in 2026:
- Step 1 (Early June)
Register on josaa.nic.in. Simultaneously register on all relevant state counselling portals. Registrations are usually free or cost ₹500–1,000.
- Step 2 (June–Mid July)
Fill choices on JoSAA. Also fill preferences on state counselling portals. Do NOT pay any seat acceptance fee yet on state portals.
- Step 3 (JoSAA Round 3–4 Results)
Evaluate your JoSAA allotment seriously. If you have a NIT/IIIT/GFTI you are happy with, consider paying JoSAA acceptance fee and dropping state counselling. If not, continue monitoring both.
- Step 4 (JoSAA Round 5–6)
If JoSAA is not yielding a desirable result, pay state counselling seat confirmation fee for your best state allotment before the deadline. This secures your backup.
- Step 5 (After JoSAA Round 5)
Make your final call. Join whichever college you prefer — JoSAA allotment, state college, or CSAB. Be clear on refund policies before paying both.
Refund Policies at a Glance
Before paying any fee, understand what is refundable and what is not:
JoSAA Seat Acceptance Fee
₹35,000 (General/OBC) or ₹15,000 (SC/ST/PwD). Lost if you do not join the allotted institute.
JoSAA Registration Fee
₹500–800 typically. Administrative fee, not recoverable.
State Counselling Registration
₹500–2,000 depending on state. Lost regardless of outcome.
State Seat Acceptance Fee
Some states (MHT-CET, AP) have partial refund policies. Check each state's brochure.
Institute Tuition Fee (JoSAA)
If you withdraw before reporting, most of tuition is refunded except a cancellation charge per UGC guidelines.
1Will I lose my JoSAA seat if I register in state counselling?
2Can I attend multiple state counsellings at the same time as JoSAA?
3What is the best strategy if I have a JEE Main rank of 30,000–80,000?
4Do states accept JEE Main scores directly or do I need a separate exam?
5If I join a state college after accepting a JoSAA seat, will I get a JoSAA fee refund?
Know Your College
Before Counselling
Predict your college using JoSAA 2025 cutoff data across IITs, NITs, IIITs and GFTIs.
Related Links
Disclaimer
State counselling schedules and refund policies change annually. Always verify with the official state counselling authority before making fee payments.