The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) oversees the allocation process for the 23 IITs, 31 NITs, IIEST Shibpur, along with the 26 IIITs and the remaining 29 Other-GFTIs.
- JoSAA delivers the counselling process for a total of six rounds based on the JEE Advanced ranks for IITs and JEE Main scores for NITs, IIITs, and other GFTIs.
- Total number of seats intake for B.Tech in JoSAA 2026 is around 59,937 seats.
JoSAA counselling 2026 is slated to begin soon after the announcement of JEE Main 2026 results. JoSAA Counselling registration 2026 is likely to begin from the first week of June 2026.
- It has been seen from the counselling sessions of last year's JoSAA that CSE is a very competitive course offered in the top IITs, NITs, and IIITs.
- In IIT Bombay, the closing ranks for round 1 counselling were 1–66, while in round 2, the closing ranks were less than 130.
- The closing ranks of IIT Delhi and Madras range from 160 to 450.
- Closing ranks of 400-450 at IIT Kanpur and Kharagpur campuses differ, which specifies the intense demand for CSE at top institutions.
JoSAA delivers the counselling process for a total of six rounds based on the ranks obtained in the JEE Advanced exam for admission to the IITs and the score obtained in the JEE Main exam for the admission process of
Also Check:
What is JEE Main JOSAA Counselling 2026?
JoSAA 2026 is the counselling as well as the seat allocation process for the candidates who are qualified either in the JEE Main 2026 exam or the JEE Advanced 2026 exam. The process assures that the admission procedure for the candidates is transparent as well as based on merit for close to 120 institutes
- JEE Main rank-holders can apply to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
- JEE Advanced rank holders are eligible to apply for entry into the above-mentioned IITs on the same portal as JoS
The counselling process consists of online registration, seat choice filling, mock seat allocation, seat allotment, document verification, and reporting.
JoSAA Counselling Participating Institutes
- IITs (23 Institutes): Based on JEE Advanced Rank
- NITs (31 Institutes): JEE Main Performance
- IIITs (26 Institutes): JEE Main Exam Result Performance
- Others-GFTI (29) Institutes: Based on JEE Mains
Also Read: CSAB SFTI Counselling Process: Registration, Seat Allotment & Important Dates
JoSAA Counselling Total Seats Available
- IITs: 18,160 seats
- NITs: 24,525 seats
- IIITs: 9,940 seats
- Other-GFTIs: 10,228 seats
- Total: 62,853 seats
Source: JoSAA Official Website
Check: JEE Main Seat Matrix 2026: Check Expected Seat Intake for NITs, IIITs & GFTIs
JoSAA Counselling FAQs
Ques: Is reporting mandatory after JoSAA seat allotment?
Ans: Yes, after seat allotment, candidates must complete online reporting and fee payment within the given deadline to retain their seat.
Ques: What is the purpose of mock seat allocation in JoSAA 2026?
Ans: Mock seat allocation helps candidates understand possible seat allotment outcomes based on their choices and rank, allowing them to modify preferences before final allotment.
Ques: Can I change my choices after mock seat allocation in JoSAA 2026?
Ans: Yes, candidates can modify, reorder, add, or delete choices after mock seat allocation rounds and before the final choice locking deadline in JoSAA 2026.
JoSAA 2026 Counselling Schedule (Tentative) – Important Dates
| JoSAA 2026 Event | Tentative Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Result Declaration | April 2026 (2nd Week) |
| JoSAA 2026 Counselling Notification Release Date | June 2026 (1st Week) |
| JoSAA 2026 Online Registration & Choice Filling Start Date | June 2026 (2nd Week) |
| JoSAA 2026 Mock Seat Allocation Round 1 & 2 | June 2026 (3rd Week) |
| JoSAA 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment Result Date | June 2026 (4th Week) |
| JoSAA 2026 Reporting & Fee Payment After Round 1 | June – July 2026 |
| JoSAA 2026 Final Round Counselling & Admission Closure | July 2026 (Last Week) |
JoSAA Counselling 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The JoSAA has set some eligibility criteria for the candidates who wish to take admission into top engineering colleges through JEE Main or JEE Advanced.
Who is eligible for JoSAA counselling?
- The JEE Advanced qualifiers are eligible for IITs, whereas JEE Main qualifiers can apply to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
- Candidates must complete the academic qualifying criteria by scoring at least 75% in Class 12 (65% for restricted categories).
- Only the top 250,000 applicants from JEE Main are eligible to take the JEE Advanced exam.
- Candidates for architecture must pass the AAT. SC, ST, and PwD candidates are the only ones eligible for preparatory courses.
| Eligibility Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualified Candidates |
|
| Class 12th Requirements |
|
| Required Subjects |
|
| Cutoffs |
|
| Architecture Programs Eligibility | Must qualify AAT 2026 for B.Arch admissions |
| Preparatory Courses Eligibility | Available only for SC/ST/PwD candidates through IITs |
| Counselling Registration | Mandatory online registration via josaa.nic.in |
| Seat Allocation | Based on rank, preferences, and seat availability |
| Document Verification | Includes JEE scorecard, Class 12 marksheet, category certificate, ID proof |
JoSAA Counselling Eligibility FAQs
Ques: Is JEE Advanced mandatory for JoSAA 2026 counselling?
Ans: No, JEE Advanced is mandatory only for admission to IITs. Candidates with JEE Main 2026 qualification are eligible for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs through JoSAA 2026 counselling.
Ques: Can Class 12 appearing students participate in JoSAA 2026 counselling?
Ans: Yes, Class 12 appearing candidates can participate in JoSAA 2026 counselling, but they must pass the Class 12 examination and meet eligibility criteria at the time of admission.
Ques: Is there any age limit for JoSAA 2026 counselling eligibility?
Ans: No, there is no age limit for JoSAA 2026 counselling. Eligibility is based on JEE Main or JEE Advanced qualification and academic criteria, not age.
JoSAA Counselling Registration Statistics
If we look at the table below, we can see that the average yearly JoSAA registrations are usually between 1.9 and 2.1 lakh. The highest registrations were recorded in 2021, which is 9.51 lakh. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with special policies and extended eligibility.
- Candidates targeting NIT and other counselling: 1.2 to 1.6 lakh candidates per year
- IIT seat aspirants in JoSAA counselling: 1.6 to 2.0 lakh candidates per year
| Year | Number of candidates registered |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,07,241 |
| 2023 | 1,92,779 |
| 2022 | 2,14,067 |
| 2021 | 9,51,445 |
| 2020 | 2,11,631 |
| 2019 | 2,15,861 |
| 2018 | 1,52,245 |
| 2017 | 1,57,362 |
| 2016 | 1,84,776 |
Also Read: JEE Main Seat Allotment: Check Seat Matrix, Allotment Dates, and NIT and IIT Seat Allocation Details
JoSAA Counselling 2026 Documents Required
You must prepare the following documents before reporting. These will be required at the JoSAA Counselling 2026.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| JEE Main 2026 Admit Card | Proof of identity and examination participation. |
| JEE Main 2026 Scorecard | Displays the candidate's performance and rank. |
| Class 10 Marksheet/Certificate | Verifies date of birth and educational qualification. |
| Class 12 Marksheet/Certificate | Confirms eligibility and academic performance. |
| Passport-size Photographs (2–3) | For identity verification and record-keeping. |
| Seat Acceptance Fee Payment Proof | Evidence of payment for seat acceptance. |
| Candidate's Undertaking | A declaration form as per JoSAA guidelines. |
| Valid Photo Identity Proof | Government-issued ID (e.g., Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID) for identity verification. |
| Bank Account Details | Crossed cheque or passbook copy for refund purposes. |
Additional Documents for Specific Categories
Some additional documents might be required for students to determine their eligibility. These documents are:
| Document | Applicable To | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/GEN-EWS) | Candidates claiming a reservation | Verifies eligibility for reserved categories. |
| PwD Certificate | Candidates with disabilities | Confirms eligibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) quota. |
| Medical Certificate | All candidates | Certifies physical fitness as per JoSAA guidelines. |
| Defence Service Certificate | Children of Defence Personnel | Verifies eligibility under the Defence quota. |
| OCI/PIO Card or Passport | Foreign Nationals | Confirms nationality and eligibility for foreign student quota. |
JoSAA Counselling 2026 Seat Acceptance Fees
The JoSAA Counselling Application fee is non-refundable, and the seat acceptance fees vary across different categories.
- JoSAA counselling 2026 seat acceptance fee is INR 35,000 for General, OBC-NCL, and EWS, and INR 17,500 for SC, ST, and PwD.
- JoSAA counselling seat acceptance fee can be paid online via debit/credit card, net banking, or through e-challan.
| Fee Type | Amount (INR) | Applicable To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Acceptance Fee | INR 35,000 | General, OBC-NCL, EWS | Includes INR 5,000 processing fee; balance adjusted against institute fees. |
| INR 17,500 | SC, ST, PwD | Includes INR 5,000 processing fee; balance adjusted against institute fees. | |
| Processing Fee | INR 5,000 | All candidates | Part of the seat acceptance fee; non-refundable. |
| Partial Admission Fee | Varies | All candidates | An additional fee to be paid directly to the allotted institute. |
Source: josaa.nic.in/
Also Check:
JoSAA 2026 Seat Allotment: Freeze, Float, and Slide Options
- Once a candidate is allotted a seat in JoSAA Counselling 2026, they must confirm the seat by accepting it online.
- During this process, candidates have to choose one of three options, ‘Freeze’, ‘Float’, or ‘Slide’, depending on their admission preference.
Freeze Option in JoSAA 2026
- Selecting the “Freeze” option means that the candidate is satisfied with the allotted seat and does not wish to participate in any further rounds of JoSAA Counselling 2026.
- Once a candidate chooses Freeze, they are locked into that seat and cannot upgrade or modify their choice later.
- The admission process for such candidates continues directly with document verification and reporting at the allotted institute.
- Once “Freeze” is selected, it cannot be changed to Float or Slide in any subsequent round.
Float Option in JoSAA 2026
- The “Float” option allows the candidate to accept the current seat while also being considered for a better course or institute in the upcoming JoSAA rounds.
- This option is best for candidates who are happy with their seat for now but are open to moving to a higher-preference course or college as per their choice list.
- The candidate retains the allotted seat unless a better one is offered in later rounds.
Example: If you are allotted Mechanical Engineering at NIT Trichy but prefer Computer Science at the same or a different NIT, choosing Float keeps you in the running for that upgrade.
Slide Option in JoSAA 2026
- The “Slide” option applies when a candidate wants to stay in the same institute but aims for a higher-preference course within it.
- Candidates who select Slide are considered for a better branch in the same college during subsequent rounds.
- If no higher-preference course becomes available, they will retain their current allotment.
Example: If you are allotted Electrical Engineering at IIIT Hyderabad but prefer Electronics Engineering in the same IIIT, choose Slide to be considered for that internal branch upgrade.
JoSAA Counselling Seat Allotment FAQs
Ques: Which option is best after Round 1 seat allotment in JoSAA 2026?
Ans: There is no single best option for everyone.
- Choose Freeze if you are satisfied with your seat.
- Choose Float if you want a better institute or branch.
- Choose Slide if you want a better branch in the same institute.
Ques: What happens if I do not choose Freeze, Float, or Slide in JoSAA 2026?
Ans: If a candidate does not select any option within the deadline, the seat may be cancelled, and the candidate may lose eligibility for further JoSAA 2026 rounds.
Ques: Does choosing Float or Slide guarantee seat upgradation in JoSAA 2026?
Ans: No, choosing Float or Slide does not guarantee upgradation. Seat upgradation depends on vacancies, rank, category, and choices filled in JoSAA 2026.
Ques: Can I choose Float or Slide after freezing a seat in JoSAA 2026?
Ans: No, once a candidate chooses Freeze, they exit further rounds of JoSAA 2026 counselling and cannot opt for Float or Slide later.
JoSAA Counselling Opening and Closing Rank (Round 1)
As per the JoSAA Round 1 cutoffs last year, CSE is a competitive course at top IITs, NITs, and IIITs.
- IIT Bombay is at the top with a closing rank ranging from 1 to 66,
- Other top IITs like Delhi and Madras close below rank 160.
- IIT Kanpur and Kharagpur stretch up to about 400, reflecting strong demand.
- At the NIT level, Trichy, Surathkal, and Warangal open at around rank 1,200–1,800 and close at 3,500.
- Trending IIITs such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Delhi close ranks at 2,000–2,800.
Also Check:
- JEE Main NIT Cutoff 2026: Check Category Wise Opening and Closing Ranks for Top NITs
- IIIT JEE Main Cut off 2026: Category-wise JoSAA Opening and Closing Ranks
- JEE Main 2026 GFTIs Cut off Expected, Previous Years’ Cut off and College-wise Closing Ranks
Top IITs CSE Cutoff – Open Category
| Institute | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | 1 | 66 |
| IIT Delhi | 24 | 125 |
| IIT Madras | 76 | 159 |
| IIT Kanpur | 147 | 270 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 180 | 414 |
Top NITs CSE Cutoff – Open Category
| Institute | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIT Trichy | 1,262 | 2,500 |
| NIT Surathkal | 1,500 | 2,800 |
| NIT Warangal | 1,800 | 3,000 |
| NIT Calicut | 2,000 | 3,200 |
| NIT Rourkela | 2,200 | 3,500 |
Top IIITs CSE Cutoff – Open Category
| Institute | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IIIT Hyderabad | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| IIIT Bangalore | 1,500 | 2,500 |
| IIIT Delhi | 1,800 | 2,800 |
| IIIT Allahabad | 2,000 | 3,000 |
| IIIT Gwalior | 2,200 | 3,200 |
IIT Orientation & Class Commencement Schedule 2026
All IITs will conduct classes for the 2026–27 academic year between the Last week of July and the first week of August 2026. Before the start of classes, students will undergo orientation programmes which typically last 5 to 7 days.
| IIT | Reporting & Registration | Orientation Dates | Class Commencement |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | July 20, 2026 | July 21–26, 2026 | July 28, 2026 |
| IIT Delhi | July 21, 2026 | July 22–30, 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
| IIT Madras | July 24–25, 2026 | July 26–27, 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
| IIT Kanpur | July 21, 2026 | July 22–30, 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
| IIT Kharagpur | July 22–23, 2026 | July 25–28, 2026 | July 29, 2026 |
| IIT Guwahati | July 20, 2026 | July 20–27, 2026 | July 28, 2026 |
| IIT Hyderabad | July 23, 2026 | July 24–26, 2026 | July 28, 2026 |
| IIT Indore | July 24, 2026 | July 25, 2026 | August 4, 2026 |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | July 26–29, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | August 1, 2026 |
| IIT ISM Dhanbad | July 24, 2026 | July 25, 2026 | July 28, 2026 |
JoSAA Counselling: Participating Institutes
A total of 127 institutes, including 23 IITs, 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and 47 GFTIs, participate in JoSAA counselling. Students can check the list of participating institutes in the tables below.
IITs Participating in JoSAA 2026
| JoSAA 2026 Participating IITs | |
|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay |
| Indian Institute of Technology Mandi | Indian Institute of Technology Delhi |
| Indian Institute of Technology Indore | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur |
| Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad | Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | Indian Institute of Technology Madras |
| Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar | Indian Institute of Technology Patna |
| Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad |
| Indian Institute of Technology Ropar | Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi |
| Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati | Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai |
| Indian Institute of Technology Goa | Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad |
| Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati | Indian Institute of Technology Jammu |
| Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad | - |
NITs Participating in JoSAA 2026
IIITs Participating in JoSAA 2026
GFTIs Participating in JoSAA 2026
| JoSAA 2025 Participating GFTIs | |
|---|---|
| Assam University, Silchar | Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi |
| Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar | Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, Bhadohi |
| Institute of Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Management-Ahmedabad | School of Studies of Engineering and Technology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur |
| J.K. Institute of Applied Physics & Technology, Department of Electronics & Communication, University of Allahabad- Allahabad | National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, Aurangabad (Maharashtra) |
| National Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Ranchi | Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology |
| Mizoram University, Aizawl | School of Engineering, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur |
| School of Planning & Architecture, Bhopal | School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi |
| School of Planning & Architecture: Vijayawada | Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu & Kashmir |
| International Institute of Information Technology, Naya Raipur | University of Hyderabad |
| Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh | Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi |
| International Institute of Information Technology, Bhubaneswar | Central Institute of Technology Kokrajar, Assam |
| Puducherry Technological University, Puducherry | Ghani Khan Choudhary Institute of Engineering and Technology, Malda, West Bengal |
| Central University of Rajasthan, Rajasthan | National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli |
| National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur | North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli-791109 (Itanagar), Arunachal Pradesh |
| Indian Institute of Handloom Technology(IIHT), Varanasi | Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekananda Technical University, Bhilai (CSVTU Bhilai) |
| Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai: Indian Oil Odisha Campus, Bhubaneswar | North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong |
| Central University of Jammu | Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dr. H. S. Gour University. Sagar (A Central University) |
| Central University of Haryana | Birla Institute of Technology, Deoghar Off-Campus |
| Birla Institute of Technology, Patna Off-Campus | Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Salem |
| Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara | CU Jharkhand |
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