CSAB Choice Filling 2026: Check Dates, Step-by-Step Process & Fees

After the completion of the JoSAA 2026 counselling, thousands of seats in NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, SPAs, and GFTIs still sit vacant. CSAB Choice Filling 2026 is the process that lets you claim one of these seats, and it only opens for a short, strict window on the official CSAB portal. 

As per the CSAB 2026 Round dates, CSAB Choice Filling 2026 begins on 28 July 2026 at 10:00 AM on csab.nic.in and the last date for the choice filling and locking is 5 August 2026, 2:00 PM.

Whether you are a fresh JEE Main candidate who skipped JoSAA or someone hoping to upgrade an existing allotment, getting your choice order right in this window decides which institute and branch you finally join. Read the full blog to know the entire process of CSAB 2026 Choice filling dates, steps, fees, and a few practical tips so you don’t lose a seat over an avoidable mistake.

Key Highlights of CSAB Choice Filling 2026

• CSAB Choice Filling 2026 begins on 28 July 2026 at 10:00 AM on csab.nic.in
• Choice filling and locking closes on 5 August 2026, 2:00 PM
• Mock seat allocation is shown on 31 July 2026 based on choices saved till 30 July, 5:00 PM
• Two allotment rounds: Round 1 result on 6 August and Round 2 result on 12 August 2026
• Special Round Enrolment Fee (SREF) is ₹40,000 for GEN/EWS/OBC-NCL and ₹19,000 for SC/ST/PwD
• Physical reporting at allotted institutes is tentatively scheduled from 13 to 18 August 2026

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CSAB Choice Filling 2026 Dates: Full Schedule

CSAB choice-filling 2026 runs on a tight, non-extendable timeline, so treat every date below as final unless the official portal states otherwise. Missing even one deadline can push you out of the round entirely, so keep the schedule bookmarked and check csab.nic.in daily during this window.

How to Complete CSAB Choice Filling 2026 Step by Step

CSAB choice filling 2026 happens entirely online through your candidate login on csab.nic.in, and you cannot proceed to this step without a completed registration and SREF payment. The interface lets you search institutes by name, add programmes to a preference list, and rearrange that list as many times as you want before locking.

1. Log in to the CSAB portal using your JEE Main 2026 credentials.

2. Complete registration and pay the Special Round Enrolment Fee (SREF).
3. Open the “Choice Filling” tab and search for institutes or programmes.
4. Add every programme you are willing to accept, in genuine order of preference.
5. Use “Save” repeatedly while filling, since unsaved choices are lost.
6. Cross-check the order against the previous year’s closing ranks and the current vacancy matrix.
7. Click “Lock Choices” only when fully satisfied, since locked choices cannot be edited again.

Who Can Participate in CSAB Special Round Choice Filling

CSAB special round choice filling is open to a wider pool than most candidates expect, not just those who missed a JoSAA seat. Any JEE Main 2026-qualified candidate meeting eligibility norms can register, provided they respect a few basic conditions on class 12 marks and category documents.

• Candidates who cleared JEE Main 2026 but never registered for JoSAA
• Candidates who registered for JoSAA but did not get any seat allotted
• Candidates holding a JoSAA seat who wish to upgrade their branch or institute
• Candidates whose JoSAA seat was cancelled due to non-payment or withdrawal

Keep in mind that if you already hold a JoSAA seat and have paid the Partial Admission Fee, that seat is automatically cancelled the moment CSAB allots you a new one. Only add choices that are genuinely better than what you already have.

CSAB Seat Matrix 2026 for Participating Colleges

The CSAB seat matrix has been released for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Candidates can now view the CSAB 2026 seat matrix on the official website. The CSAB seat matrix shows the institute- and programme-specific vacant seats available following the JoSAA counselling last rank. 

The seat matrix of the CSAB participating colleges explains where vacancies occur following JoSAA counselling. It enables students to find institutes and branches with available seats when filling out the cSAB Choice form.

CSAB Mock Seat Allocation: Why It Matters

CSAB mock seat allocation gives every candidate a realistic preview of where their current choice order would land them, based purely on the preferences saved till the cutoff. It is released once, on 31 July 2026, using data locked as of 30 July, 5:00 PM, and it is not the final result.

Use the mock round to spot two things: choices ranked too optimistically for your JEE Main rank and gaps where a realistic option is missing altogether. Reordering after seeing the mock allotment is one of the simplest ways to avoid an unpleasant surprise in the actual Round 1 result.

CSAB Choice Filling Fee Structure 2026

Choice filling itself carries no separate fee, but you cannot access the choice filling screen until the special round enrolment fee is paid in full. This single payment doubles as your participation fee and part of your institute admission fee if you get allotted a seat.

Candidates who already paid a seat acceptance fee during JoSAA 2026 only need to pay the balance amount after adjustment, not the full SREF again.

Documents required for the CSAB Counselling 2026

Before participating in CSAB Counselling 2026, candidates should keep the following documents ready for registration, verification, and admission reporting:

• JEE Main 2026 Scorecard
• Class 10 Marksheet/Certificate (for date of birth verification)
• Class 12 Marksheet and Passing Certificate
• Provisional Seat Allotment Letter (if allotted a seat)
• Government-issued Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, etc.)
• Recent Passport-Size Photographs
• Scanned Signature of the Candidate
• Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL), if applicable
• EWS Certificate (for EWS category candidates)
• PwD Certificate (for Persons with Disabilities candidates)
• Medical Certificate, if required by the allotted institute
• Proof of Seat Acceptance Fee/CSAB Fee Payment
• Migration Certificate/Transfer Certificate (if required during institute reporting)

Options available After CSAB Seat Allotment

CSAB seat allotment does not end your choices at Round 1. Once a seat is allotted, you must log in and select a willingness option within the reporting window, or the allotment can lapse.

• Freeze: Accept the seat fully and exit the process, no further changes.
• Float: Keep the seat but stay eligible for a higher-preference upgrade in Round 2.
• Slide: Keep the seat but allow only a branch change within the same institute.
• Surrender: Give up the current seat while staying in the process for Round 2.
• Withdraw: Give up the seat and exit CSAB Special Rounds entirely.

Smart Tips for CSAB Choice Filling 2026

A well-ordered choice list matters more than the number of choices you add. A few disciplined habits at this stage genuinely improve your final outcome.

• Add every institute and branch you would honestly accept, not just top picks
• Order choices by genuine preference, never by “safe” rank alone
• Recheck the vacancy matrix before locking, since seats keep updating
• Compare your JEE Main rank against CSAB 2025 closing ranks for realistic shortlisting
• Never wait for the last hour, since portal traffic peaks near the deadline
• Save choices after every few additions to avoid losing unsaved edits

Conclusion

CSAB Choice Filling 2026 is the most important step in the Special Round counselling process as your final allotment will depend solely on the choices you submit. Candidates have a good chance to get admission in better institute or branch even after JoSAA counselling is over as seats are vacant in NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, SPAs and GFTIs.

Before the deadline, make sure you complete registration, pay the SREF, review the vacancy matrix, and arrange your choices in the exact order of your preferences. Use the mock allotment result to adjust your list and avoid last-minute changes during high portal traffic. By having a well-curated list of choices, you can increase your chances of getting the best possible seat through CSAB Special Round 2026.