Haryana B.Tech HSTES Counselling Choice Filling 2026 for the 1st Online Centralized Counselling opened on June 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM and the last date to fill and lock choices is June 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Choice filling is the most important step in the HSTES counselling process. Your seat allotment depends entirely on your JEE Main 2026 rank and the choices you fill. Fill them right and you get the seat you want. Fill them carelessly and you may end up with a seat you are not happy with.
This article covers exactly how choice filling works in HSTES 2026, how the locking system works, what upgradation means, and practical tips to make the most of both counselling rounds.
When Does Choice Filling Open?
B.Tech Choice Filling Dates
| Round | Choice Filling Window | Seat Allotment Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Counselling | 10 June 2026 (11:00 AM) to 18 June 2026 (11:59 PM) | 19 June 2026 (04:00 PM) |
| 2nd Counselling | 30 June 2026 (11:00 AM) to 06 July 2026 (11:59 PM) | 07 July 2026 (04:00 PM) |
B.Arch Choice Filling Dates
| Round | Choice Filling Window | Seat Allotment Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Counselling | 07 July 2026 (11:00 AM) to 12 July 2026 (11:59 PM) | 13 July 2026 (04:00 PM) |
| 2nd Counselling | 17 July 2026 (11:00 AM) to 20 July 2026 (11:59 PM) | 21 July 2026 (04:00 PM) |
Who Can Fill Choices?
However, only those who are already registered and have paid the registration fee can fill their choices in https://techadmissionshry.gov.in.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fill Your Choices in HSTES 2026
Step 1: Visit https://techadmissionshry.gov.in and login into your account using your unique application number and password.
Step 2: Then click on the option called “Fill/Modify Choice” from your dashboard.
Step 3: The online portal will show you the combinations of institutes-brach which you are eligible for according to your category, marks and domicile. Uneligible choices will not be displayed.
Step 4: Click the “+” option next to your choice to select them. You can choose as many institutes as you want.
Step 5: Arrange your selections accordingly as per your preference by putting the more preferred one first.
Step 6: While filling, save your choices often. Don’t keep the saving for the end of filling.
Step 7: Finally review your complete list of selections once again.
Step 8: Click the “Lock Choices” option to make it finalized. Once locked and window is closed then no further modifications can be done.
How Many Choices Should You Fill?
Fill as many eligible choices as possible. HSTES explicitly advises candidates to fill maximum eligible choices to increase their probability of getting a seat and to improve their chances of upgradation in the 2nd counselling.
There is no penalty for filling more choices. If you fill only a few choices, you may end up without any seat if your rank is not competitive enough for those specific options.
How Are Choices Processed for Seat Allotment?
Once the choice-filling window is closed, all locked choices are processed by NIC. The process of seat allocation happens based solely on JEE Main 2026 All India Rank along with category, domicile, and choice preference. In case you qualify for a reserved category seat but have an all India rank which qualifies you for a General seat, the higher seat will be automatically allocated to you.
The results are declared at the counseling website on a designated date and time.
Special Category Choice Filling
If you have registered under a special category like TFW (Tuition Fee Waiver) or KM (Kashmiri Migrant), the portal will generate separate roll numbers for your General category and your special category. You can fill choices for both roll numbers through the same login. A separate seat allotment letter is issued for each category.
For example, if you registered under TFW, you will get both a General Roll Number and a TFW Roll Number. You fill choices separately for each and can potentially get allotment for both.
Understanding Seat Upgradation in 2nd Counselling
After 1st counselling, if you got a seat but it is not your top preference, you can participate in the 2nd counselling to try for a better option. Here is exactly how that works:
When you log in for 2nd counselling, the system will ask you to accept an undertaking that reads: “I understand and accept that, by participating in this counselling, my earlier admission/allotment, if any, will be cancelled automatically, in case I get new allotment of seat.”
If you accept and fill choices, and you get a new allotment in 2nd counselling, your 1st counselling seat is automatically cancelled. You must then report to the new allotted institute, deposit fees again, and get your Provisional Admission Slip from the new institute. You then apply for a fee refund from the previously allotted institute.
Key rule: Only fill choices in 2nd counselling that are better than what you got in 1st counselling. If you fill inferior choices and get allotted to a worse seat, your better seat from 1st counselling will still be cancelled.
If you are completely satisfied with your 1st counselling seat, do not participate in 2nd counselling at all.
What If You Did Not Get a Seat in 1st Counselling?
If no seat was allotted to you in the 1st counselling, you automatically participate in the 2nd counselling. Refill your choices during the 2nd choice filling window. You are not required to register again if you already registered before 1st counselling.
Fresh candidates who could not register before the 1st counselling can register afresh from June 30 to July 6, 2026 and fill choices for the 2nd counselling during the same window.
After 2nd Counselling – Institute Level Admissions
After both online counselling rounds by HSTES, any remaining vacant seats are filled by individual institutes at their own level. For government colleges and 75% seats in private institutes, HSTES fills all seats through the 2 centralized rounds. For the 25% management quota seats in private institutes, admissions are done at institute level based on JEE Main rank, and thereafter on qualifying exam merit.
Institutes fill vacant seats before August 14, 2026 which is the final cut-off date for all admissions.
Tips for Filling Choices Effectively
Check fee structures before filling. Each institute has a different fee fixed by AFRC. The fee details are in Appendix-F of the brochure and on https://afrchry.techeduhry.gov.in. Knowing the fee before filling choices avoids surprises later.
Do not fill only top-rank colleges. Be realistic about your rank. Check previous year first and last ranks for institutes from the counselling website. If your rank does not fit, filling that choice wastes a preference slot.
Include options from multiple districts. Restricting yourself to one city limits your options significantly. Haryana has 38+ engineering colleges across all districts.
Put government colleges before private colleges wherever possible if fee matters to you. Government college fees are significantly lower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When does HSTES B.Tech 2026 choice filling start?
A. The choice filling process began on June 10, 2026, and ends June 18, 2026.
Q. Is it necessary to lock choices in HSTES 2026?
A. It is highly recommended to lock your choices. However, in case you don’t lock, the last saved choices are taken into consideration. There is always a possibility of losing your choices due to any technical reason. Lock your choices to avoid such instances.
Q. How many choices can I fill in HSTES 2026?
A. There is no limit. Fill all eligible choices to increase the chances of getting admission and upgradation.
Q. Is it possible to make changes to my choices post-locking?
A. You are allowed to unlock or modify your choices before the end of the choice-filling period; however, once the window has closed, you will not be permitted to make any changes.
Q. What happens to my seat in 1st counselling if I take part in 2nd counselling?
A. Your seat from 1st counselling gets cancelled automatically if you obtain a fresh allotment in 2nd counselling. You should not opt for 2nd counselling if you are satisfied with your seat obtained in 1st counselling.
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.
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.