JEE Counselling Logo
JEE Counselling

2026

Registration: June 2026 Dates Tentative

JoSAA Counselling
2026

Complete guide - registration, eligibility, schedule, choice filling, seat allotment, documents & previous year cutoffs for IITs, NITs, IIITs & GFTIs.

135+Institutes
70,000+B.Tech Seats
6 RoundsSeat Allotment
June 2026Expected Start

Quick Overview

Institutes

135+ - IITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs

Total Seats

70,000+ B.Tech seats

Rounds

6 rounds of seat allotment

Starts

~June 10, 2026 (expected)

Seat Fee

₹35,000 GEN · ₹15,000 SC/ST

Basis

JEE Main + JEE Advanced 2026

For IITs

JEE Advanced rank mandatory

For NITs

JEE Main rank + 75% in Class 12

23 IITs

Indian Institutes of Technology

31 NITs

National Institutes of Technology

26 IIITs

Institutes of Info Technology

50+ GFTIs

Govt Funded Technical Institutes

Tentative Dates - Verify on josaa.nic.in

JoSAA 2026 official schedule will be released after JEE Advanced 2026 results (expected June 2026). All dates below are based on previous year patterns. Always verify on josaa.nic.in before taking any action.

What is JoSAA Counselling 2026?

Joint Seat Allocation Authority - centralized admission

JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) is the centralized counselling and seat allocation body that conducts admissions to 135+ premier engineering institutes including 23 IITs, 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and 50+ GFTIs through a single, transparent, computerized process. JoSAA 2026 will be held after JEE Advanced 2026 results, offering over 70,000 B.Tech seats across these institutions.

Conducted By

Jointly by IITs on behalf of all 135+ participating institutes

Admission Basis

JEE Advanced rank for IITs; JEE Main rank for NITs, IIITs & GFTIs

Official Website

josaa.nic.in

Eligibility Criteria 2026

Who can participate in JoSAA 2026?

For IIT Admission

  • Valid JEE Advanced 2026 rank (mandatory)
  • Must be in top 2.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers
  • 75% in Class 12 or top 20 percentile in board
  • Born on or after Oct 1, 2001 (Oct 1, 1996 for PwD)

For NIT/IIIT/GFTI Admission

  • Valid JEE Main 2026 rank (Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech)
  • 75% in Class 12 or top 20 percentile in board
  • PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Math) in Class 12
  • SC/ST/PwD candidates need only 65% in Class 12

Participating Institutes in JoSAA 2026

135+ institutes offering 70K+ seats

🏛️
23
IITs
Indian Institutes of Technology
~~16,000 seats
IIT Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, Kharagpur
🎓
31
NITs
National Institutes of Technology
~~23,000 seats
NIT Trichy, Warangal, Surathkal, Calicut
💻
26
IIITs
Indian Institutes of Information Technology
~~7,000 seats
IIIT Hyderabad, Allahabad, Bangalore
🏫
38
GFTIs
Govt. Funded Technical Institutes
~~4,000 seats
IIEST Shibpur, BIT Mesra, NIFFT Ranchi

JoSAA 2026 Tentative Schedule

Expected dates based on JoSAA 2025 pattern

EventExpected Date
JEE Advanced 2026 ResultJune 5-8, 2026 (expected)
JoSAA Registration OpensJune 10-12, 2026 (expected)
Choice Filling WindowJune 12-20, 2026 (expected)
Mock Seat AllotmentJune 18-20, 2026 (expected)
Round 1 Seat AllotmentJune 23, 2026 (expected)
Round 1 Seat AcceptanceJune 23-26, 2026 (expected)
Round 2 Seat AllotmentJune 29, 2026 (expected)
Round 3 Seat AllotmentJuly 3, 2026 (expected)
Round 4 Seat AllotmentJuly 8, 2026 (expected)
Round 5 Seat AllotmentJuly 13, 2026 (expected)
Round 6 Seat AllotmentJuly 18-22, 2026 (expected)
Reporting to InstitutesJuly-August 2026 (expected)

JoSAA 2026 Counselling Process

Step-by-step guide from registration to admission

📝
Step 1

Online Registration

Register on josaa.nic.in using your JEE Main / JEE Advanced roll number. Provide personal details and academic information.

Keep JEE credentials and scanned documents ready. Use a valid email and phone number.

📋
Step 2

Choice Filling & Locking

Fill and prioritize your preferred institutes and programs from all IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs in the order of preference.

Fill maximum choices. Check previous year opening/closing ranks for your category before finalizing.

🎯
Step 3

Seat Allotment (Round 1-6)

JoSAA allocates seats based on rank, category, home state quota, and filled preferences. Results declared online after each round.

Check results by logging in to josaa.nic.in. Download provisional allotment letter immediately.

Step 4

Online Seat Acceptance

Pay the seat acceptance fee and upload scanned documents online. Choose Float, Freeze, or Surrender as per your strategy.

Never miss the deadline. Use Float to keep upgrade options open while securing current seat.

🔍
Step 5

Document Verification

Report to the designated help center with original documents for physical verification. One-time requirement during counselling.

Carry all originals plus self-attested copies. Get the verification certificate and keep it safe.

🏛️
Step 6

Reporting to Institute

Report to your allotted institute with verified documents, admission fee payment receipt, and complete enrollment formalities.

Pay admission fee on time. Report before deadline to avoid cancellation of allotted seat.

Float, Freeze & Surrender - Explained

Choose wisely after each round of seat allotment

🔄

Float

Accept the allotted seat and remain in consideration for a better seat in subsequent rounds. You won't lose the current seat.

When to use: Use when you got a seat but want to try upgrading to a better college or branch.
❄️

Freeze

Accept the seat and lock it. You are satisfied with the allotment and will not participate in further upgrade rounds.

When to use: Use when you are happy with your current seat and don't want to risk losing it.
🚪

Surrender

Completely withdraw from JoSAA counselling. ₹3,000 is deducted as processing fee from the seat acceptance amount.

When to use: Use only if you have secured admission elsewhere (like a private college) and don't want JoSAA seat.

Seat Acceptance Fee 2026

Fee structure and refund policy

GEN / OBC-NCL / EWS

₹35,000
  • Adjusted against admission fee on joining
  • ₹32,000 refunded if no admission (after deduction)
  • ₹3,000 non-refundable processing fee

SC / ST / PwD

₹15,000
  • Adjusted against admission fee on joining
  • ₹12,000 refunded if no admission (after deduction)
  • ₹3,000 non-refundable processing fee

Documents Required for JoSAA 2026

Keep these ready before registration opens

JEE Main 2026 Rank Card / Admit Card
JEE Advanced 2026 Rank Card (for IIT aspirants)
Class 10th Mark Sheet & Certificate (for DOB proof)
Class 12th Mark Sheet & Pass Certificate
Passport-size Photographs (3–4, recent)
Scanned Signature (as per prescribed format)
Category Certificate - SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS (if applicable)
PwD Certificate from competent authority (if applicable)
Defense Service Certificate (if applicable)
Proof of Seat Acceptance Fee Payment

JoSAA 2025 Cutoff Ranks (Reference)

Opening & closing ranks - use to estimate 2026 targets

InstituteBranchOpeningClosing
IIT BombayComputer Science (B.Tech)#41#66
IIT DelhiComputer Science (B.Tech)#67#116
IIT MadrasComputer Science (B.Tech)#117#180
IIT BombayElectrical Engineering#400#550
IIT DelhiElectrical Engineering#550#720
IIT KanpurComputer Science (B.Tech)#200#302
IIT KharagpurComputer Science (B.Tech)#350#480
NIT TrichyComputer Science#1,200#1,800
NIT WarangalComputer Science#1,700#2,400
IIIT HyderabadComputer Science#200#600

Data based on JoSAA 2025 Round 6 allotment. 2026 cutoffs may vary by ±5-10%.

View all JoSAA cutoffs

Expert Tips for JoSAA 2026

Maximize your chances of getting the best seat

Fill maximum choices

There is no penalty for filling more choices. Add all institutes and branches you are genuinely willing to join.

Study previous year cutoffs

Check 2023, 2024, and 2025 opening/closing ranks for your category and home state to set realistic targets.

Always choose Float over Surrender

If you are allotted a seat you're not fully happy with, choose Float - you keep the seat while being considered for upgrades.

Use home-state quota wisely

For NITs, 50% seats are reserved for home-state candidates. A lower rank may still get you a good branch at your state NIT.

Accept seat even in early rounds

Even if you want a better seat, always accept within the deadline using Float. Missing the deadline cancels your candidature.

Keep documents ready in advance

Scan all documents before registration opens. Blurry scans or wrong formats cause delays in verification.

JoSAA vs CSAB Counselling 2026

Understand the difference before applying

ParameterJoSAACSAB
Institutes CoveredIITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs (135+)NITs, IIITs, GFTIs only (no IITs)
When ConductedJune–July 2026 (main counselling)After JoSAA 6 rounds (Aug 2026)
Number of Rounds6 rounds2–3 special rounds
PurposePrimary seat allocationFill vacant seats after JoSAA
EligibilityJEE Main + JEE Advanced qualifiedJEE Main rank (NITs/IIITs/GFTIs)
Separate RegistrationYes - josaa.nic.inYes - separate registration required

Frequently Asked Questions - JoSAA 2026

Everything you need to know about JoSAA Counselling 2026

What is JoSAA Counselling 2026?

JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) Counselling 2026 is the centralized seat allocation process for admissions to 135+ premier engineering institutes including 23 IITs, 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and 50+ GFTIs. It is conducted after JEE Advanced 2026 results and allocates 70,000+ B.Tech seats based on JEE Main and JEE Advanced ranks through 6 rounds of counselling.

When will JoSAA Counselling 2026 registration start?

JoSAA Counselling 2026 registration is expected to start in June 2026, typically within a week after JEE Advanced 2026 results are declared. Based on previous years, registration opens around June 10-12, 2026. Candidates should keep their JEE credentials and scanned documents ready. Official dates will be announced on josaa.nic.in.

What is the eligibility for JoSAA Counselling 2026?

For IIT admission: Valid JEE Advanced 2026 rank is mandatory (must be in top 2.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers). For NIT/IIIT/GFTI admission: Valid JEE Main 2026 rank with 75% marks in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST/PwD) or top 20 percentile in respective board. Candidates must have Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Class 12. Age: born on or after October 1, 2001 (October 1, 1996 for PwD).

How many rounds are there in JoSAA 2026?

JoSAA 2026 will conduct 6 rounds of seat allotment. After each round, candidates can choose Float (accept and upgrade), Freeze (accept and stop), or Surrender (withdraw). After JoSAA rounds, CSAB (Central Seat Allocation Board) may conduct special rounds for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs to fill vacant seats. IITs do not participate in CSAB rounds.

What is the seat acceptance fee for JoSAA 2026?

The seat acceptance fee for JoSAA 2026 is ₹35,000 for General/OBC-NCL/EWS candidates and ₹15,000 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. This amount is adjusted against admission fee when you join the institute. If you don't take admission, ₹32,000 (GEN/OBC/EWS) or ₹12,000 (SC/ST/PwD) is refunded after deducting ₹3,000 as processing fee.

What is the difference between Float, Freeze, and Surrender in JoSAA?

Float: Accept the allotted seat and remain in consideration for a better seat in subsequent rounds. You won't lose your current seat. Freeze: Accept the seat and withdraw from further upgrades. Your seat is locked. Surrender: Completely withdraw from counselling with a partial refund (₹3,000 deducted as processing fee). You can switch from Float to Freeze but NOT from Freeze to Float.

What documents are needed for JoSAA 2026 registration?

Required documents for JoSAA 2026: (1) JEE Main 2026 admit card/rank card, (2) JEE Advanced 2026 rank card (for IIT aspirants), (3) Class 10th certificate (for DOB proof), (4) Class 12th marksheet and pass certificate, (5) Category certificate - SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS (if applicable), (6) PwD certificate (if applicable), (7) Passport size photographs (scanned), (8) Signature (scanned in prescribed format). All documents must be in prescribed format and size.

Can I get admission to IIT with only JEE Main rank?

No. For admission to any IIT, a valid JEE Advanced 2026 rank is mandatory. JEE Main rank only qualifies you for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. To appear in JEE Advanced, you must be in the top 2.5 lakh qualified candidates in JEE Main 2026. However, even with JEE Main rank, you can fill choices for all institutes in JoSAA but will only be allotted seats in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

How to fill choices effectively in JoSAA 2026?

Fill maximum possible choices in order of genuine preference. Research opening and closing ranks for previous years (2023-2025) for your category. Consider college reputation over branch at top IITs, but prioritize branch at newer IITs. Add both preferred and fallback options. Don't leave choices blank - more choices = more chances. Lock your choices before the deadline. Consider home-state quota for NIT admissions which gives significant rank advantage.

What is the JoSAA 2026 schedule for Rounds 1-6?

Based on previous year patterns: Round 1 result is expected around June 23, 2026. Rounds 2-6 are conducted approximately every 3-4 days. Choice filling opens with registration (June 10-20, 2026), and seat acceptance deadlines are typically 3 days after each round result. Final reporting to institutes is expected in July-August 2026. Exact dates will be published on josaa.nic.in after JEE Advanced 2026 results.

What happens if I miss the seat acceptance deadline in JoSAA?

If you miss the seat acceptance deadline for an allotted seat, your candidature is permanently cancelled and you will NOT be considered in any subsequent round of JoSAA counselling. You may still participate in CSAB special rounds if eligible. It is critical to accept your seat within the deadline even if you plan to upgrade - use the Float option to stay in consideration for better seats.

What is the difference between JoSAA and CSAB counselling?

JoSAA conducts 6 main rounds for all 135+ institutes (IITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs). After JoSAA, CSAB conducts additional special rounds only for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs to fill vacant seats. IITs do NOT participate in CSAB. CSAB is useful if you didn't get a seat in JoSAA or want to try for a better branch/college in NITs/IIITs/GFTIs. Separate registration is required for CSAB.

What are the fees at IITs, NITs, and IIITs per year?

IIT fees: Approximately ₹2–2.5 lakh/year (tuition + hostel + other charges). NIT fees: Around ₹1.5–2 lakh/year. Triple IIITs (IIIT Hyderabad, Allahabad, Bangalore): ₹2.5–4 lakh/year. Other IIITs: ₹1.5–2.5 lakh/year. GFTI fees: ₹1–2 lakh/year. Financial aid is available via Merit-cum-Means scholarship (family income < ₹6 lakh/year) at all centrally funded institutes. SC/ST students also get full tuition fee waiver at IITs.

Useful Resources

College Predictor

Know Your College
Before Counselling

Predict your college using JoSAA 2025 cutoff data across IITs, NITs, IIITs and GFTIs.

135+
Institutes
3000+
Programmes
3 Years
Cutoff Data
JEE Main
JEE MainNITs · IIITs · GFTIs
JEE Advanced
JEE AdvancedAll 23 IITs
DASA / NRI
DASA / NRIForeign nationals
Predict My College