CSAB Counselling 2026 Dates, Eligibility, Fees, Choice Filling & Seat Allotment
CSAB Counselling 2026: Step-by-Step Process, Eligibility & Special Rounds Explained
CSAB Counselling 2026 is conducted by the Central Seat Allocation Board to fill vacant seats in NITs, IIITs and GFTIs after the completion of JoSAA rounds. Candidates who were not allotted a seat, missed JoSAA registration, withdrew earlier, or are looking for an upgrade can participate in CSAB Special Rounds.
If you didn’t get your dream branch during the JoSAA rounds or missed the registration deadline altogether, don’t lose hope just yet. The Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) conducts ‘‘Special Rounds” specifically to fill seats that remain vacant in the NIT+ system (NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs) after JoSAA concludes.
Think of CSAB 2026 as the final battle for a seat in a prestigious government institute. While JoSAA is the main event, CSAB is where the effects of rank inflation often work in favour of lower-ranked candidates as institutes look to fill every last desk .
CSAB 2026: Tentative Schedule & Deadlines
While the official 2026 brochure is usually released mid-year, based on previous years’ pattern, you can expect the following timeline:-
| Event | Tentative Date (Expected) |
| Display of Vacant Seats (Post-JoSAA) | Late July 2026 |
| Registration & Choice Filling | Late July – Early August 2026 |
| Special Round 1 Allotment | Mid-August 2026 |
| Special Round 2 Allotment (Final) | Late August 2026 |
| Physical/Online Reporting at Institute | Late August 2026 |
Eligibility: Who Can Enter the Special Rounds?
CSAB is much more flexible than JoSAA. You are eligible if:
- You qualified for JEE Main 2026 but didn’t register for JoSAA.
- You participated in JoSAA but weren’t allotted any seat.
- You were allotted a seat in JoSAA but withdrew or had it cancelled.
- You already have a seat from JoSAA but want to upgrade to a better college or branch.
Note:
1. Unlike JoSAA, CSAB does not conduct rounds for IITs. It is strictly for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
2. Candidates whose JoSAA seat was cancelled due to eligibility failure (marks, category, documents) are not eligible
The CSAB Fee Structure (Based on 2025 Data – Expected for 2026)
Unlike JoSAA, CSAB requires an upfront commitment fee to participate. Based on 2025 figures, expect the following:
- General/EWS/OBC-NCL: Approximately ₹45,000 (Includes ₹5,000 non-refundable processing fee).
- SC/ST/PwD: Approximately ₹19,000 (Includes ₹5,000 non-refundable processing fee).
If you already paid a seat acceptance fee during JoSAA, your CSAB fee will be adjusted accordingly.
Step-by-Step CSAB Process: (How Special Rounds Actually Work)
Once the CSAB Special Rounds window opens, the counselling follows a structured but time-sensitive process. Understanding these steps clearly is crucial, as missing even a single deadline can cost you the allotted seat.
Step 1: Online Registration Candidates must register on the official CSAB portal (csab.nic.in) using their JEE Main credentials. During registration, personal and academic details are verified, and the CSAB counselling fee is paid.
Step 2: Fresh Choice Filling & Locking
This is the most critical stage. Candidates must fill a fresh set of choices based only on the vacant seat matrix released after JoSAA. Previous JoSAA choices do not carry forward. Choices can be added, rearranged, or removed until they are finally locked before the deadline.
Step 3: Seat Allotment (Special Rounds)
CSAB typically conducts two Special Rounds. Seats are allotted based on:
- Common Rank List (CRL)
- Category-wise reservation
- Availability of vacant seats
- Choices filled by the candidate
- Allotment results are published online.
Step 4: Seat Acceptance, Documents & Willingness Options
If a seat is allotted, candidates must:
- Pay the Seat Acceptance Fee within the deadline
- Upload required documents online for verification
- Choose a willingness option (Freeze / Float / Slide), subject to CSAB round-specific rules
- Failure at this stage leads to automatic cancellation.
Step 5: Final Reporting at the Institute
After the final Special Round:–
- Download the Provisional Admission Letter
- Report physically (or as per institute norms) to the allotted institute
- Complete original document verification
- Pay the balance institute fee
Only after this step is the admission finally confirmed.
Important Reminder: CSAB operates on extremely tight timelines. Missing a deadline at any stage almost always results in forfeiture of the allotted seat.
Key Strategic Correlation (KSC Insight)
“CSAB is a game of patience and data. Because these are vacant seats, the closing ranks can often drop significantly compared to JoSAA Round 5. Your strategy should be to fill as many choices as possible—even those you think are ‘out of reach.’ Many students secure top NITs in CSAB with ranks that were rejected in JoSAA just because they were brave enough to fill the choice.”
FAQs: Clearing the CSAB 2026 Confusion
Q1: Can I participate in CSAB if I have already taken admission in an NIT through JoSAA?
Ans: Yes, you can. This is called an “upgrade.” However, if you are allotted a new seat in CSAB, your previous JoSAA seat is automatically cancelled and given to someone else. Use this option only if you are 100% sure about the new choices.
Q2: Is the CSAB registration fee refundable?
Ans: The processing fee (approx. ₹5,000) is non-refundable. However, if you are not allotted any seat in either Special Round, the remainder of your fee is refunded to your bank account.
Q3: Does CSAB use Category Rank or CRL?
Ans: CSAB uses your Common Rank List (CRL) for the allotment process, but seats are still reserved for categories (OBC, SC, ST, EWS) as per government norms.
Q4: What happens if I am allotted a seat but don’t want to join?
Ans: If you are allotted a seat in Special Round 2 and you don’t join, if you are allotted a seat in Special Round 2 and do not report, you will forfeit the entire seat acceptance fee. CSAB rules are stricter than JoSAA to ensure seats don’t go vacant at the last minute.
Q5: Can I participate in CSAB if my JoSAA seat was cancelled during document verification?
Ans: Yes, provided you meet the basic eligibility (75% in Class 12th or top 20 percentile) and the cancellation wasn’t due to failing the JEE Main eligibility itself.
Q6. Who should participate in CSAB Counselling 2026?
Ans: CSAB Counselling 2026 is meant for candidates who qualified JEE Main but did not secure a seat through JoSAA, missed JoSAA registration, withdrew their JoSAA seat, or want to upgrade to a better college or branch. It allows eligible candidates to compete for vacant seats in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs through Special Rounds after JoSAA concludes.
If JoSAA didn’t work out, don’t lose hope — CSAB could be the opportunity that changes everything.