REAP Counselling Choice Filling 2026 is the most important step in the entire REAP process. The order in which you arrange your college and branch preferences directly decides which seat you get, whether you benefit from upward movement, and whether you end up with your desired branch or settle for something less preferred.
Most candidates make the mistake of filling only five or ten choices. Many also rush through the order without thinking it through. This article explains how choice filling works, what rules apply, and how to approach it strategically using previous year cut off data.
When Does REAP 2026 Choice Filling Open?
REAP 2026 choice filling opens after the final merit list is declared. Based on the official schedule, here is exactly how the choice filling timeline looks:
| Activity | Date |
| Mock Round for all candidates | 24/06/2026 |
| Last date to fill and lock choices by candidates of each category | 26/06/2026 |
The choice filling window in REAP 2026 is short, just two days after the mock round. On June 24, the mock round gives you a preview of your likely allotment based on your current saved choices and your merit rank. This is your opportunity to see where you stand, reconsider your preferences, and make any last adjustments before the final deadline.
By June 26, all choices must be filled and locked. There is no extension. If you have filled choices but not locked them by June 26, the system automatically locks your last saved preferences when the window closes. If you have not saved any choices at all, you will not be considered for seat allotment in any round.
The choices you lock on or before June 26 are the same choices used across all centralized rounds from Round 1 (TFWS) through Rounds 6, 7, and 8 (Rajasthan main allotment and upward movements). There is no option to modify them between rounds.
Given that the entire choice filling window from mock round to locking is just three days (June 24 to June 26), the smart approach is to study the previous year cut off data and shortlist your colleges well before June 24. Use the mock round on June 24 as a final check, make any last changes, and lock by June 26.
Step-by-Step REAP 2026 Choice Filling Process
Log In to REAP Portal: After successfully logging in through your registered username and password in to the candidate panel. You can select your choice from the same ID that you registered with.
View Colleges & Courses Available: Here you can see all the available colleges and courses for your registered program (B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch or B. Plan). Colleges are listed with branches available, seat matrices and available seats branch and quota wise.
Add choices in preference order: After selecting colleges & courses you can enter your choices in order of your preferences and the first and best choice must be first. You can enter number of choices from minimum to maximum available in system.
Save Frequently: Save your choices as you go. Do not fill the entire list and wait to save at the end. Technical interruptions can cause unsaved data to be lost.
Review the Order Carefully: Before submitting, go through the entire list again. Check that your top preferences are placed correctly. Confirm that you want what is at Position 1 more than what is at Position 2, and so on down the list.
Lock Your Choices: Once you are satisfied with the order, press the Submit/Lock button. After this, no modifications are allowed through the candidate panel.
Important: If you fill choices but do not lock them before the deadline, the system auto-locks your last saved choices at the expiry of the window. If no choices were saved at all, you will not be considered for any seat allotment.
Can You Change Choices After Locking?
Locked choices can be unlocked through the REAP 2026 portal. However, this comes at a cost:
| Unlock Request | Charge |
|---|---|
| Per unlock request | Rs. 50 + 18% GST |
| Availability | Up to the last date specified by the Convenor |
Once the last date for unlocking passes, no further changes are possible under any circumstances.
REAP Choice Filling Strategy Using Cut Off Data
The most practical way to fill choices is to study the previous year cut off data before you start. Here is a straightforward approach:
Step 1: Download the REAP cut off data for your category from the links below.
Step 2: Find your JEE Main 2026 rank or Class 12 percentile. Compare it with the closing ranks or percentiles from the previous year for each branch in each college.
Step 3: Divide your choices into three groups:
- Safe: Colleges and branches where your rank is clearly better than last year’s closing rank
- Moderate: Where your rank is close to the closing rank
- Reach: Where your rank is slightly above last year’s cutoff but you genuinely want the seat
Step 4: Fill all three groups in your preferred order. Put your most desired choices first, even if they are reach options. You never know when cutoffs shift.
Step 5: Do not leave out your safe choices. These are your fallback and should be filled even if you do not want them as much.
Download previous year REAP Cut Off data here:
| Year | Download Link |
|---|---|
| REAP Cut Off 2025 – All Rounds, All Categories | Download PDF |
| REAP Cut Off 2024 – All Rounds, All Categories | Download PDF |
| REAP Cut Off 2023 – All Rounds, All Categories | Download PDF |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When does REAP 2026 choice filling start?
A. REAP 2026 choice filling begin from June 24, 2026 with mock round. The mock round provides you a fair idea of the possibility of you getting the admission, the seat and its branch according to your current choices and your merit rank. Last date to fill and lock choices is June 26, 2026.
Q. How many choices should I fill in REAP 2026?
A. There is no fixed limit. Fill as many choices as possible. More choices mean better chances across rounds. Most counselling experts advise filling at least 20-30 choices to cover safe, moderate, and reach options.
Q. Can I change choices after locking?
A. After you lock choices, you cannot edit or modify them from the candidate panel. However, you can unlock the choices through REAP portal after depositing 50 rupees with 18% GST on each modification, if the request is made before the last possible date.
Q. What if I forget to lock my choices?
A. The system auto-locks your last saved choices at the deadline. If no choices were saved at all, you will not be considered for any allotment. Always lock manually after reviewing your full list.
Q. Are the same choices used for all rounds?
A. Yes. The choices you lock before the first round are used for all centralized rounds including upward movements. There is no option to modify them between rounds.
Q. What happens to my previous seat when I get a better seat in upward movement?
A. When you are allotted a higher preference seat in upward movement, your previously allotted seat is automatically cancelled. You have no claim on it.
Q. Should I put TFWS choices separately?
A. TFWS allotment uses the same locked choices from your registration. You do not fill a separate choice form for TFWS. The system considers your choices while matching TFWS eligibility in Rounds 1, 2, and 3.
Q. How do I know which college is good to fill?
A. Study previous year REAP cut off data for your category. Check placement records, NIRF ranking, faculty quality, and hostel availability for colleges in your realistic rank range. Download our cut off PDFs above to start your research.
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.