JoSAA Counselling Fees 2026: Seat Acceptance Fee, Refund Policy & Payment Process

kcet-exam-analysis-april-24

The registration process for the JoSAA Counselling 2026 is currently underway and continues till June 11, 2026. One common question from candidates is about JoSAA counselling fees, including whether there is any JoSAA Counselling registration fee, how much is required after seat allocation, and if that fee is refundable. 

As per the latest JoSAA Counselling 2026 fees structure, no payments are needed during registration or choice filling. Candidates only pay a certain counselling fee for JoSAA if they get an allotted seat. 

Read the complete blog to know about the JoSAA Counselling registration fees, how to pay the JoSAA Seat Acceptance fee, the refund process, and so on in detail manner.

JoSAA Counselling Process Overview

Before getting into the detailed structure of JoSAA Counselling fees 2026, let’s take a look at the overview of the whole counselling process. JoSAA, or Joint Seat Allocation Authority, runs the counseling for IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs using ranks from JEE Main and JEE Advanced. 

It starts with online registration, then choice filling and locking, where students pick their favorite institutes and departments. After that, JoSAA does several rounds of seat allotments, looking at your rank, category, what’s available, and your preferences. Once you get a seat from any JoSAA counselling process, you have to make the JoSAA Counselling Fee (SAF) online to confirm your seat at JoSAA. 

Particulars Details
Counselling Name Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) Counselling 2026
Conducting Authority Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA)
Admission For IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs
Basis of Admission JEE Main 2026 and JEE Advanced 2026 Ranks
Mode of Counselling Online
Registration Mode Online Through the Official JoSAA Portal
Number of Counselling Rounds Multiple Rounds (As Per JoSAA Schedule)
Key Stages Registration, Choice Filling, Choice Locking, Seat Allotment, JoSAA Counselling Fee Payment, Document Verification, and Institute Reporting
JoSAA Counselling 2026 Fee ₹15,000 (SC/ST/PwD) and ₹30,000 (General/OBC-NCL/EWS)*
JoSAA Official Portal https://josaa.nic.in/
Participating Institutes 23 IITs, 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and 40+ GFTIs
Options After Seat Allotment Freeze, Float, and Slide
Official Website https://josaa.nic.in/

JoSAA Counselling Registration Fee

A lot of candidates about whether there are any JoSAA Counselling fees before getting admission through JoSAA counselling. However, the truth is that there are no charges associated with JoSAA registration, choice filling, and choice locking. 

Qualified candidates for JEE Main or JEE Advanced can do all this without paying anything using the official counselling website. The actual JoSAA Counselling fees 2026 apply only when the candidate gets a seat and opts to join. At such times, the candidate has to pay what is known as the Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF).

JoSAA Counselling Seat Acceptance Fee 

The first and foremost of JoSAA Counselling fees 2026 is the JoSAA Seat Acceptance Fee. 

Allotted candidates for IITs, NIT, IIIT and GFTIs via JoSAA need to make the payment of Seat Acceptance Fee before the stipulated date. Making a payment of Seat Acceptance Fee is very important for candidates because otherwise, there are chances of losing allotted seats

Category Seat Acceptance Fee
General / OBC-NCL / EWS ₹30,000
SC / ST / PwD ₹15,000

Candidates will be able to continue with document verification and admission process after paying fee at the allotted IIT. This amount is adjusted from the final admission fee for the respective institute. This becomes confirmation of allocated seats.

How to Pay JoSAA Seat Acceptance Fee?

The process of paying the JoSAA counselling fees is an easy and online process that needs to be done only after being allotted a seat through the JoSAA counselling. This step helps in accepting the allotted seat for further processes.

Step 1: Log In & Check the Allotted Seat

Login to the official website of the JoSAA using your JEE Main or JEE Advanced login details. Once you see the allotted seat, then choose one of the three options: Freeze, Float, or Slide according to your choice of admissions.

Step 2: Make the Payment Through Online Mode

Now click on the option “Pay Seat Acceptance Fee” and move towards the payment portal of JoSAA. You can pay your JoSAA counselling fees 2026 via any payment mode like debiting or crediting, net banking, UPI, etc.

Step 3: Download Payment Receipt 

Download the JoSAA Counselling Seat Acceptance Fee Receipt and Provisional Seat Allotment Letter once the transaction is successful.

JoSAA Counselling 2026 Fee Payment Dates

Candidates must pay the JoSAA Seat Acceptance Fee by the deadline for the round in which they get their initial seat allocation. Failure to pay the fee by the deadline may result in the cancellation of the assigned seat, and the candidate may lose their admission opportunity.

Round Seat Allotment Date Fee Payment Deadline
Round 1 13 June 2026 26 June 2026 (5:00 PM)
Round 2 30 June 2026 3 July 2026 (5:00 PM)
Round 3 6 July 2026 8 July 2026 (5:00 PM)
Round 4 10 July 2026 13 July 2026 (5:00 PM)
Round 5 16 July 2026 20 July 2026 (5:00 PM)
NIT+ System (PAF) 22 July 2026 24 July 2026 (5:00 PM)

Is JoSAA Counselling Fee Refundable?

A lot of candidates wonder if there is a possibility to get back JoSAA Counselling fee refund in case you do not want to pursue the admission procedure further. Yes, the refund is available, however, it is possible only if you will have withdrawn your allotted seat within the timeline provided by JoSAA and in accordance with the instructions offered by JoSAA for the particular year.

JoSAA Counselling Fee Refund Process

It is important to note that in order to get the refund you need to withdraw your allotted seat at the admission stage during the time period stated by JoSAA in its instructions.Sometimes candidates find themselves not able to participate in JoSAA Counselling procedure, therefore, knowing about JoSAA Counselling fee refund policy beforehand is very helpful.

Candidate’s personal information is checked and verified as well as the status of the allotted seat. After that, the refundable amount is processed after deduction of the corresponding administrative fee. This amount will be transferred back using the same bank account/card/payment option which was used while paying the Seat Acceptance Fee.

Conclusion

Knowing the JoSAA Counselling Fees 2026 is essential for all those who wish to join IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Though the JoSAA Counselling Registration Fees is not applicable, it becomes incumbent upon candidates to pay Seat Acceptance Fee after getting seat allocation.

Candidates also need to be familiar with refunding procedures and payment deadlines concerning JoSAA Counselling Fees along with the process of admission to ensure that they do not face any difficulties during the admission procedure.

Get Exam Updates/ Materials / Topper Notes directly on Whatsapp

🚀 Get Exam Updates/ Materials 📖– Topper Notes directly on WhatsApp.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the JoSAA Seat Acceptance Fee for the General Category?

The JoSAA Seat Acceptance Fee is ₹30,000 for candidates belonging to the General, OBC-NCL, and EWS categories.

2. Is there any registration fee for JoSAA Counselling?

No. There is no registration fee for JoSAA counselling. Candidates can complete registration, choice filling, and choice locking free of cost through the official JoSAA counselling portal.

3. How can I pay the JoSAA Counselling Seat Acceptance Fee?

After seat allotment, candidates can pay the Seat Acceptance Fee online through the official JoSAA portal using debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI. After successful payment, candidates can download the payment receipt and provisional seat allotment letter.

4. Is the JoSAA Counselling fee refundable after seat withdrawal?

Yes. If a candidate withdraws from the admission process within the prescribed timeline, the Seat Acceptance Fee may be refunded after deducting the applicable processing charges as per JoSAA rules.

5. Do I need to pay the JoSAA Seat Acceptance Fee in every round?

No. Candidates are required to pay the Seat Acceptance Fee only once when they receive their first seat allotment through JoSAA counselling.

6. What happens if I do not pay the JoSAA Seat Acceptance Fee?

If the Seat Acceptance Fee is not paid before the specified deadline, the allotted seat will be cancelled and the candidate will lose the opportunity to claim that seat.

Share This Post:
WhatsApp Chat with us

🚨 Limited Seats: Join a FREE Offline AI Bootcamp - For Class 12th Students