CSAB Counselling 2026 is something you absolutely cannot afford to miss after clearing JEE Main 2026 and are eyeing a seat in an NIT, IIIT, or any other top government-funded technical institute. Whether you have either not obtained your preferred branch through JoSAA, or are looking to secure admission through special rounds, this article contains all you need to know from how to register, what the seat allocation process is, what’s included in the special rounds, eligibility requirements.
Every year there are many vacant seats at the end of the JoSAA Rounds. Rather than let those seats go unused, CSAB will conduct special rounds for the remaining available seats as a part of its CSAB Counselling process. Let’s start from the beginning and clarify all of this for you in an easily understandable manner.
CSAB Counselling 2026 Quick Summary
It’s important to quickly understand the key details without going through lengthy explanations. The table below gives you a clear view of the counselling process:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Counselling Name | CSAB Counselling 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Central Seat Allocation Board |
| Authority Under | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Conducting Institute (Expected) | National Institute of Technology Rourkela |
| Admission Basis | JEE Main 2026 Rank |
| Counselling Mode | Fully Online |
| Participating Institutes | NITs, IIITs, IIEST, SPAs, GFTIs |
| Purpose | Fill vacant seats after Joint Seat Allocation Authority rounds |
| Total JoSAA Rounds | 6 Rounds |
| CSAB Rounds | 2–3 Special Rounds + NEUT + Supernumerary |
| Registration Requirement | Fresh registration (JoSAA login not valid) |
| Eligibility | Qualified JEE Main 2026 candidates |
| Courses Offered | B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Plan |
| Expected Start Date | July 2026 |
| Final Admission | August 2026 |
| Seat Allotment Basis | Rank + Choices + Category + Availability |
| Special Rounds | Conducted after JoSAA completion |
| Official Website | csab.nic.in |
CSAB 2026 Important Dates (Expected)
While the official schedule for CSAB 2026 will be released after JoSAA 2026 rounds conclude, here’s an approximate timeline based on previous years patterns:
| Event | Expected Timeline |
| JoSAA 2026 Rounds (6 rounds) | June – July 2026 |
| CSAB Special Round 1 Registration | July 2026 |
| CSAB Special Round 1 Seat Allotment | July 2026 |
| CSAB Special Round 2 | Late July 2026 |
| CSAB Special Round 3 | Early August 2026 |
| CSAB NEUT Rounds | July – August 2026 |
| CSAB Supernumerary Round | July – August 2026 |
| Final Reporting to Institutes | August 2026 |
Note: These are indicative dates. Always verify the exact schedule on csab.nic.in and josaa.nic.in once officially published.
What Is CSAB Counselling 2026?
Central Seat Allocation Board commonly known as CSAB was set up by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Its core responsibility is to manage the centralized admission process for undergraduate programs in engineering, technology, and architecture across the NIT+ system. This system includes:
- NITs (National Institutes of Technology)
- IIEST (Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur)
- IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology)
- SPAs (Schools of Planning and Architecture)
- Other-GFTIs (Government Funded Technical Institutes)
All admissions through CSAB are based on JEE (Main) 2026 ranks.
Since 2015-16, CSAB has been operating under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Joint Admission Board (JAB) of IITs, enabling a joint seat allocation process through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA). JoSAA handles the first phase of counselling covering both IITs (based on JEE Advanced ranks) and the NIT+ system (based on JEE Main ranks). Once all six JoSAA rounds are completed, CSAB takes over to fill any seats that remain vacant in the NIT+ system.
This is the part most students overlook. CSAB is not just an afterthought for many candidates, it’s a genuine second opportunity to land a seat in a top government institution.
Who Conducts CSAB 2026 and Why NIT Rourkela?
Ministry of Education has entrusted NIT Rourkela with the responsibility of conducting CSAB 2026. Director of NIT Rourkela held as the Chairman of CSAB, leading a team that handle the entire process from registration to seat allotment.
This arrangement ensures that the process is overseen by an experienced and reputed institute rather than a standalone administrative body. NIT Rourkela’s team supports candidates throughout every round of seat allocation and operates:
- Designated verification and help centres across the country
- A multilingual tele-help desk for regional language support
- Regular updates on the official portal at csab.nic.in
One thing worth repeating here: there is only ONE official CSAB website (csab.nic.in). Be very careful about phishing websites with similar looking URLs. If in doubt, type the URL manually rather than clicking on third-party links.
CSAB 2026 vs JoSAA 2026: What’s the Difference?
If you’re new to the engineering admission process, the JoSAA-CSAB connection can feel confusing. Here’s a clean breakdown:
| Feature | JoSAA 2026 | CSAB 2026 |
| Covers | IITs + NIT+ System | NIT+ System only |
| Based on | JEE Advanced (IITs) + JEE Main (NIT+) | JEE Main 2026 only |
| Number of Rounds | 6 rounds | 3 Special Rounds + Supernumerary + NEUT |
| When it happens | June–July 2026 | After JoSAA concludes |
| Official Portal | josaa.nic.in | csab.nic.in |
| Fresh Registration Needed? | Yes | Yes (JoSAA registration is NOT valid for CSAB) |
JoSAA runs first. Once all six JoSAA rounds are done, if there are still vacant seats in the NIT+ system, CSAB steps in with its Special Rounds. On top of that, CSAB also runs its own dedicated programs like the Supernumerary Round and NEUT Rounds which have nothing to do with JoSAA.
Types of CSAB 2026 Rounds Explained
CSAB conducts multiple types of rounds, each are designed for a different group of candidates. Here’s a clear overview:
1. CSAB Special Rounds 2026
These are the main rounds that most JEE Main qualified candidates participate in. CSAB special rounds are conducted after all six rounds of JoSAA 2026 and will fill any vacant seats within the NIT + system. These rounds are conducted entirely online through csab.nic.in.
Fresh registration is mandatory. Your JoSAA registration does not carry over to CSAB.
2. CSAB Supernumerary Round 2026
The Supernumerary Round creates additional seats (over and above the sanctioned intake) in select NITs specifically for candidates from certain Union Territories. The NITs that have historically participated includes NIT Durgapur, NIT Calicut and SVNIT Surat.
Eligible Union Territories for this round are Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. If you’re from one of these regions, don’t miss this round it’s specifically there for you.
3. CSAB NEUT Rounds 2026
NEUT stands for North-Eastern states and Union Territories. These rounds allocate seats in AICTE-approved institutes under the Government of India’s scheme: “Reservation of Seats in Degree-Level Technical Courses for States/UTs Lacking Such Facilities.”
This round is meant for candidates from North-Eastern states and UTs that don’t have adequate degree-level technical education infrastructure. It’s an important access-enhancement initiative for students from educationally underserved regions.
4. DASA 2026 (Direct Admission of Students Abroad)
DASA 2026 will be run along with CSAB Special Rounds on the same platform. DASA program allows for the admission of NRIs, PIOs, and foreign students interested in admission to NIT+ institutions. TIf you’re an NRI or have studied abroad, DASA is the route you should explore alongside CSAB.
Eligibility Criteria for CSAB Special Rounds 2026
Before you register, make sure you meet all eligibility requirements. Qualifying JEE Main 2026 alone does not guarantee admission, each institute and academic program may have additional conditions.
| Eligibility Parameter | Requirement |
| Qualifying Exam (B.E./B.Tech) | JEE (Main) 2026 B.E./B.Tech Paper |
| Qualifying Exam (B.Arch) | JEE (Main) 2026 B.Arch Paper |
| Qualifying Exam (B.Plan) | JEE (Main) 2026 B.Plan Paper |
| Nationality | Indian National (by birth or naturalized) or valid OCI/PIO card holder |
| Academic Eligibility | Class 12 passed with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (for B.E./B.Tech) |
| Minimum Marks | 75% aggregate in Class 12 (General); 65% for SC/ST |
| Non-Eligible | Candidates who are not Indian nationals and do not hold valid OCI/PIO cards |
Important: Candidates who are neither Indian nationals nor OCI/PIO card holders are not eligible for CSAB Special Rounds 2026 regardless of whether they studied in India or abroad.
Types of Eligible Candidates for CSAB Special Rounds 2026
CSAB has clearly defined nine types of eligible candidates. Understanding which type you fall under is important because it affects your registration requirements and fee obligations.
| Type | Candidate Profile |
| Type-1 | Did not register for JoSAA 2026 at all, but is eligible as per JEE Main 2026 criteria |
| Type-2 | Participated in JoSAA 2026 but was not allotted any seat |
| Type-3 | Got a JoSAA seat but it was cancelled due to non-payment of Seat Acceptance Fee |
| Type-4 | Exercised the EXIT option during JoSAA 2026 |
| Type-5 | Got an IIT seat in JoSAA, but later withdrew, got it cancelled after verification, or has taken admission |
| Type-6 | Got a NIT+ seat in JoSAA and secured admission by paying both SAF and PAF |
| Type-7 | Got a NIT+ seat in JoSAA but validly withdrew |
| Type-8 | Got a NIT+ seat in JoSAA but it was cancelled after document verification and no subsequent seat was allotted |
| Type-9 | Got a NIT+ seat in JoSAA, paid SAF, completed document verification, but seat was cancelled due to non-payment of PAF |
One important note for Type-6 candidates: If you have already secured a seat through JoSAA (paid both SAF and PAF), you can still participate in CSAB Special Rounds hoping for a better seat or branch. However, be aware if a new seat is allotted to you in CSAB, your previously secured JoSAA seat will be automatically cancelled. You will not be able to go back to it. A declaration confirming this must be submitted at the time of CSAB registration.
How to Register for CSAB 2026: Step-by-Step Process
CSAB 2026 counselling is conducted 100% online. There are no offline modes or exceptions. Here’s how the process works:
- Visit the Official Portal
Go to csab.nic.in. Never use any third-party website or agent for registration.
- Fresh Registration
All candidates must do a fresh registration regardless of whether they registered on JoSAA. Your JoSAA login does not work on the CSAB portal.
- Update Data (If Applicable)
If your documents were not verified during JoSAA rounds, you can update your State of Eligibility, Nationality, Gender, and Category (only from Beneficiary to non-Beneficiary) at the time of CSAB registration.
- Pay the Special Round Enrolment Fee (SREF)
This is mandatory. You must pay this fee in order to continue. You may pay by Debit/Credit Card, UPI, Net Banking, E-Challan, or through a CSC.
- Fill in Your Bank Account Details
During the payment process, you will need to enter information about your bank account (Account Holder Name, Account Number, IFSC, Bank Name) and upload a scanned copy of either a cancelled cheque or the front page of your stamped passbook, which will be required if you receive a refund.
- Fill and Lock Choices
After registration and fee payment, fill in your fresh choices of institutes and programs. These are completely fresh, your JoSAA choices stand null and void for CSAB.
- Check Seat Allotment Results Online
Results are published online only. No individual notifications will be sent. Log in regularly and check your allotment status.
- Complete Online Reporting
If you receive an allotment, you must complete your online reporting, confirm your willingness, upload documentation, and then pay your IAF-II.
- Physical Reporting
Once all three rounds of Special Rounds have been completed, applicants who have been issued an allotment are required to report in person to their respective institution.
CSAB Special Round Enrolment Fee 2026
Special Round Enrolment Fee (SREF) covers two components: the Institute Admission Fee-I (IAF-I) and a non-refundable Special Round Processing Fee (SRPF).
| Candidate Category | Special Round Enrolment Fee (SREF) |
| GEN / GEN-EWS / OBC-NCL | Rs.40,000 |
| SC / ST / PwD | Rs.19,000 |
| Non-Refundable Processing Fee (included above) | Rs.5,000 (for all categories) |
For different types of applicants (i.e. types 6, 7, 8 & 9) having already paid SAF via JoSAA, the balance SAF (from which JoSAA processing charges were deducted) will be adjusted against SREF. Therefore, the only amount that must be paid is the difference.
If you have had your category changed (e.g. SC to GEN) at JoSAA during document verification and you have not confirmed your seat by paying PAF, then you will be required to pay an additional Rs.15,000 as SAF as the difference in SAF between SC/ST/PwD and General categories.
| Original Category (Before JoSAA Verification) | Changed Category (After JoSAA Verification) |
| GEN-PwD | GEN |
| GEN-EWS-PwD | GEN-EWS or GEN |
| OBC-NCL-PwD | OBC-NCL or GEN |
| SC-PwD / ST-PwD | GEN |
| SC / ST | GEN |
CSAB Counselling 2026 Cut Off
CSAB Counselling 2026 cut off refers to the closing JEE Main rank of the last candidate admitted in a particular institute, branch, and category during each special round. Since CSAB Special Rounds happen after all six JoSAA rounds are completed, the seats available are leftover vacancies from JoSAA. This means the CSAB cut off is generally more relaxed than JoSAA cut offs for the same branches, which is genuinely good news for candidates who missed out in JoSAA.
We have compiled round-wise cut off data for previous years of CSAB Special Rounds across all institutes, branches, and categories. Download them below:
| Year | Round | Download Link |
| CSAB Cut Off 2025 – Special Round 1 | All Institutes, Branches & Categories | Download PDF |
| CSAB Cut Off 2025 – Special Round 2 | All Institutes, Branches & Categories | Download PDF |
| CSAB Cut Off 2025 – Special Round 3 | All Institutes, Branches & Categories | Download PDF |
| CSAB Cut Off 2024 – Special Round 1 | All Institutes, Branches & Categories | Download PDF |
| CSAB Cut Off 2024 – Special Round 2 | All Institutes, Branches & Categories | Download PDF |
| CSAB Cut Off 2024 – Special Round 3 | All Institutes, Branches & Categories | Download PDF |
| CSAB Cut Off 2023 – All Special Rounds | All Institutes, Branches & Categories | Download PDF |
Online Choice Filling and Locking: What You Need to Know
This is the most important step in the entire process. Getting your choices right can make or break your allotment. What to keep in mind:
- Fresh Choices Only: Any choices you filled during JoSAA 2026 are null and void. You must fill completely fresh choices for CSAB Special Rounds.
- All Programs Are Visible: All programs in the NIT+ system for which you are eligible will be displayed regardless of current vacancy status. This is important because additional seats may open up in later rounds.
- Special Eligibility Restrictions: Some programs have additional eligibility criteria set by individual institutes. It’s your responsibility to check these before adding a program to your choices. If you get allotted a seat but don’t meet the special eligibility, your seat will be cancelled.
- Locking Your Choices:
- You must lock your choices before the deadline.
- If you don’t manually lock, your last saved choices will be auto-locked at the deadline.
- If you haven’t saved even one choice, you will not be considered for allotment at all.
- To unlock previously locked choices, you can submit an online request, an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile and email.
- Once the choice-filling window closes, no changes are allowed.
For Type-6 Candidates (JoSAA seat holders): All programs except your last secured JoSAA seat will be shown to you. Your JoSAA seat is automatically treated as your last choice. All freshly filled CSAB choices will be considered above it in the preference order.
Always download and print your locked choices, it contains the terms and conditions you agreed to.
Seat Allotment Process in CSAB 2026
After the completion of the choice-filling process, allotment of all seats occurs through the CSAB (Central Seat Allocation Board) seat allocation using the following process:
- Allotment will be based on the JEE Main 2026 Common Rank List (CRL) rank position.
- Your rank will be matched according to your filled choices in the order of preference.
- CAAB seat allocation will ensure that you qualify according to your rank and have properly filled out your seat preference while considering criteria such as availability of seats based on your category (SC/ST/OBC) and your eligibility (subject to verification).
- Based on your merit and your preference, a seat will be assigned to you.
Category upgrade (for all seated at JoSAA not participating in CSAB Special Rounds): If you have already secured a seat at JoSAA and are not participating in CSAB until after the final Special Round, you are still eligible for a category upgrade. For example, your OBC-NCL allotted seat in a specific program at a specific NIT may be upgraded to the OPEN category, while you retain the same program and institute.
Results are published online only. No SMS or email confirmations. Log in to your CSAB portal to check your allotment status. It is entirely your responsibility to check the portal regularly as per the published schedule.
Willingness Options: Freeze, Float, Slide, Surrender & Withdraw
When a seat is allotted to you, you must exercise one of the following willingness options during online reporting. Choosing the right one is very important, some of these options are irreversible.
| Willingness Option | What It Means | Can Participate in Next Round? |
| Freeze | Accept the seat; no interest in further upgrades | No |
| Float | Accept the seat; willing to move to a higher-preference program/institute in any college | Yes |
| Slide | Accept the seat; willing to move to a higher-preference program within the same institute | Yes |
| Surrender | Reject the current seat; want to try for a better one in the next round | Yes (considered for higher choices only) |
| Withdraw | Reject the seat completely; exit the process entirely | No |
Online Reporting and Document Verification
Once a seat has been offered to you, it is mandatory that you complete the online reporting process without exception. In every round the following steps must be taken:
- Step 1: The first step is to express your willingness to accept or not accept your seat by choosing one of the following options: Freeze, Float, Slide, Surrender, or Withdraw, as explained above.
- Step 2: The second step is to upload all documents as required according to the CSAB 2026 information brochure; however, if one of the following exceptions apply to you, you may skip this step:
- You successfully provided all documentation that was verified in the NIT+ system during the JoSAA Rounds 1-6.
- You chose to Surrender or Withdraw your offer.
Step 3 – Pay IAF-II (Institute Admission Fee – II)
| Candidate Category | IAF-II Amount |
| GEN / GEN-EWS / OBC-NCL | Rs.35,000 |
| SC / ST / PwD | Rs.16,000 |
| Type-6 Candidates | Not required (already paid PAF during JoSAA) |
IAF-II is compulsory, and whether you selected either Freeze, Float or Slide, you will not receive your document verifications unless that IAF-II has been paid for. If you did not pay for the IAF-II, this will be viewed as a refusal to take your seat, and that expulsion will carry through to all rounds subsequent to this.
- Step 4: Respond to Document Verification Queries
After uploading documents and paying IAF-II, the verifying officers will review your documents. If they raise any query, you must respond through your CSAB portal within the stipulated time. If you fail to do so, then your seat will be cancelled, and you will be disqualified from all other rounds of this application process.
Note on Physical Reporting After Round I and II:
You are NOT required to physically visit the allotted institute after Round I or Round II, even if you chose Freeze. Physical reporting is required only after Round III.
PwD Candidates – Special Verification:
PwD candidates whose status was not verified during JoSAA must go through additional verification:
- If you have a valid UDID card: Upload it on the CSAB portal. Online verification will be done by the verifying officer.
- If you have only a PwD certificate (no UDID card): You must visit a verification centre in person for physical verification.
Physical Reporting at the Allotted Institute
After three CSAB Special Rounds are completed, candidate with provisionally confirmed seats must have to physically report to their allotted institute. Here’s what this involves:
- Check the physical reporting schedule on the allotted institute’s official website.
- Carry all original documents and their self-attested copies for verification.
- Pay the balance institute fee (whatever is remaining after IAF-I and IAF-II), failing which your allotment will be cancelled with no refund.
- The institute will conduct its own physical document verification, including PwD status if applicable.
- If the institute finds that you don’t meet any eligibility criterion, it has the right to cancel your seat even at this stage.
Fee Adjustment and Refund Policy for CSAB 2026
Understanding the refund policy before you start is important, some fees are non-refundable, and some situations lead to complete forfeiture of fees.
Deductions on Refund
| Situation | Deduction Amount |
| Accepted a JoSAA seat (paid SAF) | Rs.5,000 (JoSAA Processing Fee) |
| Withdrew after JoSAA SAF payment OR failed to pay PAF after successful verification | Additional Rs.2,000 |
| Allotted in CSAB Round I/II but didn’t complete online reporting, document verification failed, chose Withdraw, or chose Surrender with no subsequent allotment | Additional Rs.2,000 |
Situations With NO Refund from CSAB
| Situation | Outcome |
| Did not complete online reporting in Special Round III | No refund from CSAB; fees transferred to allotted institute |
| Allotted in Round III but didn’t pay IAF-II | No refund from CSAB |
| Seat cancelled due to invalid documents or failure to respond to verification queries in Round III | No refund from CSAB |
| Failed to join allotted institute after Round III | No refund from CSAB |
Documents Required for CSAB 2026
Keep the following documents ready before starting your CSAB registration and during document verification:
- JEE Main Admit Card and Score Card 2026
- Class 10 Certificate and Mark Sheet (to establish Date of Birth)
- Class 12 Certificate and Mark Sheet
- Category Certificate (if applicable) – SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS, with proof from competent authority.
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- Domicile/State Certificate (if using Home State Quota).
- Passport-size Photos
- ID (Aadhaar/Pasport/Driving License)
- Bank Account Details for Fee Refund Process
CSAB 2026 Participating Institutes
CSAB 2026 covers a wide network of premier technical institutes under the NIT+ system. The participating institutions broadly include:
- 31 NITs (National Institutes of Technology) located all over the country
- IIEST Shibpur (Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology)
- 25 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT), both government funded and Public Private Partnership (PPP)
- Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs) such as SPA Delhi and SPA Bhopal
- Other GFTIs (Government Funded Technical Institutes) including SLIET Longowal, NIT Agartala, Assam University and others.
CSAB Counselling 2026 Participating Institutes Fee Structure
CSAB 2026 covers a wide network of institutions under the NIT+ system, including NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs), and other Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs). Each of these institutions has its own approved fee structure, and the amounts differ quite significantly between, say, an NIT and a GFTI.
Download CSAB 2026 Participating Institutes Fee Structure: Download PDF
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is CSAB Counselling 2026?
A. CSAB Counselling Program for 2026 is a centralized admissions process conducted by the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) to administer the filling of vacant seats (after completing the JoSAA rounds) at Various NITs/IIITs/SPAs and GFTIs based on the JEE Main 2026 rank of the candidate.
Q. Is it mandatory to have participated in JoSAA to apply for CSAB Special Rounds?
A. It is not necessary for candidates to have participated in the JoSAA process in order to be considered for the CSAB Special Rounds of 2026, but the candidates must possess a valid JEE Main 2026 rank in order to be eligible to be accepted into (or placed at) an institutions during the CSAB Special Rounds.
Q. What is CSAB Supernumerary Round?
A. The Supernumerary Round under CSAB creates additional seats in some NITs for candidates from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Durian Islands, and Debra Nagar Haveli.
Q. What is CSAB NEUT Round?
A. The NEUT Round part of CSAB assigns seats available to candidates of North Eastern states as well as certain eligible Union Territories under the Government of India’s reservation system using those areas where there are no degree level technical education institutions.
Q. What is the CSAB 2026 Website?
A. The official CSAB website for 2026 is csab.nic.in; the official website for JoSAA is josaa.nic.in.
Q. Can I change my choices after I submit them on CSAB 2026?
A. You may change and/or reorder your choices as many times as you like during the choice filling window; however, once you have locked your choices or the filling window is closed, you will not be able to change them.
Rajesh Mishra is an admission counsellor and the founder of GLN Admission Advice Pvt. Ltd. with more than 16 years of experience in student counselling and admission guidance. He has worked with thousands of students and parents seeking clarity in complex admission processes across India.
His guidance approach is practical, transparent, and strategy focused. Rajesh Mishra helps families understand counselling systems, admission rules, and college selection in simple language so they can make informed decisions.
Through GLN Admission Advice, he provides guidance for Medical, AYUSH, Engineering, MBA, PGDM, and Law admissions, and regularly shares content to help students understand counselling procedures, cutoff trends, and common mistakes during admission counselling.