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The Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) has announced the CSAB Counselling 2026 dates along with the official notification. As per the CSAB 2026 Counselling schedule, the registration process will start from 28th July 2026. Eligible students are required to complete the CSAB Registration on the official portal, csab.nic.in. before the last date.
The CSAB counselling process is conducted post completion of the JoSAA counselling to fill the vacant seats in the NIT+ system. Thousands of engineering seats that remain vacant after JoSAA are filled through CSAB Special Rounds. Read the full blog to know more about the CSAB 2026 Counselling, including registration process, rounds, and important dates.
What is CSAB Counselling?
The Central Seat Allocation Board conducts the CSAB counselling, which is a national-level process carried out following JoSAA to replace unfilled seats in the NIT+ system based on JEE Main ranks. The NIT+ system includes National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs), and other collaborating institutions.
Rounds of CSAB 2026 Counselling
There are three types of rounds included in the CSAB Counselling as follows.
- CSAB Special Round Counselling: This one is to fill the seats that were left over in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs after the regular counselling through JoSAA was done. If you’re eligible, you’ll need to go through a whole new registration process to even have a shot at getting in.
- CSAB NEUT Counselling: This special counselling process is designed with candidates from the North East States and a few Union Territories in mind. It lets them get into Engineering, Architecture, Tech, and Pharmacy programmes through a special Indian Government scheme.
- CSAB Supernumerary Counselling: This is for getting into the extra seats that have been set aside at a few NITs ( Calicut, Durgapur ) and some other schools for people from Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu – these are some of the lesser-known Union Territories in India.
CSAB Counselling 2026 Highlights
Admission to the NIT+ system via CSAB Counselling happens following the conclusion of JoSAA counselling. JoSAA is the main admission procedure, while CSAB is a supplementary counselling process to replace unfilled seats once all rounds of JoSAA counselling are over. Take a look at the key highlights of the CSAB 2026 Counselling in the table below.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Counselling Name | CSAB Counselling 2026 |
| Full Form | Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) Counselling |
| Conducting Authority | Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) |
| Participating Institutes | 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, GFTIs, and Other NIT+ System Institutes |
| Admission Basis | JEE Main 2026 Rank |
| CSAB Registration Start Date | July 28, 2026 (Expected) |
| Seat Allotment Criteria | JEE Main Rank, Category, Seat Availability, and Candidate Preferences |
| Registration Mode | Online |
| Application Fee | No Registration Fee |
| Login Credentials | JEE Main 2026 Application Number and Password |
| Counselling Categories | CSAB Special Round, CSAB NEUT, CSAB Supernumerary Round |
| Official Website | csab.nic.in |
CSAB Registration 2026
The Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) will start the CSAB Counselling 2026 process on July 28, 2026. Students who do not get a seat in the JoSAA Counseling must do fresh registration at the official portal, csab.nic.in.
Students willing to take admission in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other participating institutes can apply online using their JEE Main 2026 details, including Application Number and Password. It should be noted that complete CSAB Registration 2026 before the prescribed deadline to get considered in the seat allotment process.
CSAB counselling registration Link 2026
Candidates can check the CSAB counselling registration for special, NEUT, and supernumerary rounds:
| CSAB Counselling Registration 2026 | Registration Link |
|---|---|
| CSAB NEUT Counselling Registration Link | Available Soon |
| CSAB Special Counselling Registration Link | Available Soon |
| CSAB Supernumerary Counselling Registration Link | Available Soon |
CSAB Schedule 2026: Round-wise Important Dates
The CSAB special counselling rounds to fill the remaining seats from JoSAA NIT+ counselling will begin on July 28. Each counselling process includes registration, document upload, choice filling, seat allotment, seat confirmation, document verification, and reporting to the given institute. Check the CSAB 2026 Sounsleiing dates below.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Request for Category Restoration Start | 22 Jul 2026 |
| Online Request for Category Restoration End | 23 Jul 2026 |
| Last Day to Respond to Queries Regarding Category Restoration | 24 Jul 2026 |
| Display of Vacancies After JoSAA Rounds | 28 Jul 2026 |
| Registration and Choice Filling Start | 28 Jul 2026 |
| Display of Mock Seat Allocation Based on Choices Filled by Candidates as of 30 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 |
| Registration Ends | 03 Aug 2026 |
| Choice Filling and Choice Locking End | 05 Aug 2026 |
| CSAB Special Round-I Seat Allotment Result | 06 Aug 2026 |
| CSAB Round-I Online Reporting | 06 Aug 2026 to 10 Aug 2026 |
| Last Day to Respond to Queries of the Document Verifying Officer (Round-I) | 11 Aug 2026 |
| CSAB Special Round-II Seat Allotment Result | 12 Aug 2026 |
| CSAB Round-II Online Reporting | 12 Aug 2026 to 14 Aug 2026 |
| Last Day to Respond to Queries of the Document Verifying Officer (Round-II) | 17 Aug 2026 |
| Physical Reporting and Balance Fee Payment at the Allotted Institute | 13 Aug 2026 to 18 Aug 2026 |
CSAB Counselling 2026 Eligibility
Candidates seeking admission through CSAB Counselling 2026 must first ensure that they meet the eligibility standards for the applicable counselling category, which are CSAB Special Round, CSAB NEUT, or CSAB Supernumerary Round. Each counselling category has its own eligibility requirements as follows.
CSAB Special Counselling Eligibility 2026
Candidates belonging to any of the following categories can participate in the CSAB Special Rounds:
| Category | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Type 1 | Candidates who did not participate in JoSAA Counselling but meet the admission eligibility requirements. |
| Type 2 | Candidates who registered for JoSAA but were not allotted any seat in any round. |
| Type 3 | Candidates whose allotted JoSAA seat was cancelled due to non-payment of the Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF). |
| Type 4 | Candidates who voluntarily exited the JoSAA counselling process. |
| Type 5 | Candidates allotted seats in IITs through JoSAA but whose admission was cancelled after document verification, who withdrew their seats, or who accepted admission and later became eligible as per CSAB guidelines. |
| Type 6 | Candidates who secured admission in the NIT+ system through JoSAA after paying the Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) and Partial Admission Fee (PAF). |
| Type 7 | Candidates who were allotted a seat through JoSAA but subsequently withdrew their admission. |
| Type 8 | Candidates whose JoSAA seat allotment was cancelled due to unsuccessful document verification. |
| Type 9 | Candidates admitted to the NIT+ system who paid the SAF but failed to pay the PAF, resulting in cancellation of admission. |
CSAB NEUT Counselling Eligibility 2026
The eligibility requirements for CSAB NEUT Counselling are summarized below:
| Eligibility Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Qualification | Candidates must secure a valid rank in JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 (for B.Tech./B.E.) or Paper 2 (for B.Arch.), as applicable. |
| Qualifying Examination Year | Candidates should have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination in 2024, 2025, or 2026. |
| Minimum Marks Requirement | A minimum of 45% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination is required. |
| Architecture Eligibility | Candidates applying for B.Arch. must secure at least 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, along with 50% overall marks in Class 12, or possess a 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics and at least 50% aggregate marks. |
| Relaxation for Reserved Categories | SC, ST, and PwD candidates are eligible for a relaxation of 5% in the qualifying examination marks. |
| Age Criteria | Candidates must satisfy the age requirements prescribed in the JEE Main 2026 Information Bulletin. |
| Domicile Requirement | Applicants from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu are eligible. |
CSAB Supernumerary Counselling Eligibility 2026
Candidates must satisfy both of the following conditions to participate in the CSAB Supernumerary Round:
| Eligibility Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| JEE Main & State Eligibility | Candidates must be eligible for JoSAA 2026 or CSAB Special Rounds based on their JEE Main 2026 rank and belong to the Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, or Daman & Diu. |
| Seat Status Requirement | Candidates should not possess a valid seat allotment in the NIT+ system after the completion of all JoSAA and CSAB Special Round seat allotments. |
How to Register for CSAB Counselling 2026?
The CSAB registration process is carried out online using the official counselling portal. To begin the application procedure, aspirants must log in with their JEE Main Application Number and Password. Below is the step-by-step CSAB Registration Process 2026.
Step 1: Log in to the CSAB Portal.
Visit the official CSAB website and log in with your JEE Main 2026 credentials.
Step 2: Verify using OTP authentication.
An OTP will be delivered to the candidate’s registered mobile phone number. Enter the OTP to confirm your identity and proceed.
Step 3: Review and Confirm Details.
Examine all personal, academic, and category-related information shown on the portal. Before submitting the registration form, ensure that all of the information is correct.
Step 4: Document Verification
Upload or verify the required papers in accordance with the counselling rules. Candidates may also be asked to pay applicable counselling or admission-related fees, depending on the counselling round and seat allocation status.
CSAB Registration Fee
There is no separate registration fee for attending CSAB Counselling 2026. Students can do the first registration process free of cost using the official portal. However, candidates who are assigned a seat must pay the statutory admission and processing fees within the time frame specified in the official CSAB schedule.
CSAB Cut Off
The CSAB Cut Off 2026 is the opening and closing ranks for which the seats are given to the candidates in the CSAB Special Rounds. The seat allotment process will be held for the applicants who have completed the registration and choice filling process, depending on their JEE Main rank, category, preferences, and availability of seats.
The CSAB cut-offs are often different than the ones issued during JoSAA rounds, as the CSAB counselling is conducted to fill the vacant seats left after JoSAA. Take a look at the key highlights of the CSAB Cut off given below.
- CSAB cutoffs are substantially lower than JoSAA closing ranks, therefore providing more options for admission for individuals with moderate JEE Main ranks
- . Students can analyse the previous year’s CSAB cutoffs to find out the colleges and branches where they have a good probability of getting admission.Â
- The CSAB Cut off data is published round-wise and category-wise, and it helps candidates in making informed judgments during counselling.
CSAB Opening and Closing Ranks 2026
Reviewing the CSAB opening and closing ranks is a crucial step to get a sense of the admission trends for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. CSAB Opening and Closing Ranks 2026 shows the range of ranks in which admission is given for a certain branch, institute, and category.
Candidates can adopt a realistic and successful strategy for filling the choices by comparing their JEE Main rank with the previous year’s opening and closing ranks. This study can help you improve your chances of getting admission through CSAB Special Rounds.
Conclusion
CSAB Counselling 2026 is a big opportunity for the JEE Main qualified candidates to get admission in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other institutes under the NIT+ scheme after finishing the JoSAA counselling. The CSAB registration will begin on July 28, 2026. Hence, qualified students are advised to finish the application process on time and fill out their choices attentively so that they get a chance at admission.
This is conducted to fill the vacant seats remaining after JoSAA. Candidates need to analyse the CSAB cutoff patterns, vacant seat matrices, and previous year opening and closing ranks before finalising their choices. Strategic strategy towards registration, option filling, and seat allotment can greatly increase the chances of getting admission in a selected engineering institute and branch through CSAB Counselling 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is eligible for CSAB Counselling 2026?
Candidates who have qualified JEE Main 2026 and are eligible for CSAB Special Rounds, NEUT, or Supernumerary Rounds can participate in CSAB Counselling 2026. This includes candidates who were not allotted a seat through JoSAA, withdrew from JoSAA counselling, or wish to participate in CSAB Special Rounds.
Q2. Is it necessary to register again for CSAB Counselling 2026?
Yes. Candidates must complete a fresh registration on the official CSAB portal even if they have already participated in JoSAA counselling. JoSAA registration is not automatically carried forward to CSAB Special Rounds.
Q3. Is there any registration fee for CSAB Counselling 2026?
CSAB does not typically charge a separate registration fee. However, candidates who receive a seat allotment must pay the applicable admission and processing fees within the prescribed deadline mentioned in the counselling schedule.
Q4. Are CSAB cutoffs different from JoSAA cutoffs?
Yes. CSAB cutoffs generally differ from JoSAA cutoffs because they are based on vacant seats remaining after JoSAA counselling. In many cases, CSAB closing ranks are comparatively lower, providing additional admission opportunities to candidates with moderate JEE Main ranks.
Q5. How can I check my chances of admission through CSAB counselling?
Candidates can analyze previous years’ CSAB opening and closing ranks, review the available seat matrix, and compare their JEE Main rank with category-wise cutoff trends to estimate their admission chances.
Q6. What is CSAB Counselling?
CSAB Counselling is a special admission process conducted after JoSAA counselling to fill vacant seats in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other participating institutes under the NIT+ system based on JEE Main ranks.
Q7. When does CSAB Registration 2026 start?
CSAB Registration 2026 is expected to begin on July 28, 2026, through the official CSAB website. Candidates should check the official notification for any schedule updates.
Q8. Can I participate in CSAB if I did not register for JoSAA?
Yes. Candidates with a valid JEE Main 2026 rank who meet the eligibility criteria can participate in CSAB Special Rounds even if they did not register for JoSAA counselling.
Q9. How many rounds are conducted in CSAB Counselling?
CSAB Special Counselling is generally conducted in two rounds of seat allotment to fill the vacant seats remaining after the completion of JoSAA counselling.
