The DASA Counselling 2026 (Direct Admission of Students Abroad) is a centralized admission process conducted by the National Institute of Technology, Calicut for foreign nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries (CIWG), South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) seeking admission into premier Indian institutes such as National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and Schools of Planning and Architecture(SPAs). Through the DASA UG Admission 2026, eligible candidates can secure seats in undergraduate engineering, architecture, and planning courses based on their JEE Main ranks. The DASA Registration 2026 process includes online application submission, choice filling, seat allotment, document verification, and fee payment. As one of the most searched pathways for NRI admission in India, foreign student engineering admission, and DASA NIT counselling, this scheme offers international students direct access to India’s top technical institutions. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official DASA portal for the latest updates on DASA eligibility, counselling dates, seat allotment rounds, and fee structure.
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Contents
- 1 What is DASA Counseling?
- 2 DASA Counselling Overview:
- 3 DASA 2026 Tentative Timeline & Stages:
- 4 Who is Eligible for DASA?
- 5 Eligibility for DASA Counselling 2026:
- 6 DASA Counselling Process:
- 7 DASA Counselling Rounds:
- 8 Fee Structure:
- 9 Courses Available Through DASA:
- 10 Popular branches include:
- 11 Important Documents Required:
- 12 Expected Cut Offs for DASA Counselling 2026:
- 13 List of Countries for DASA Counselling 2026:
- 14 Key Benefits of DASA Counseling:
- 15 Important Tips for Applicants:
What is DASA Counseling?
DASA (Direct Admission of Students Abroad) is a centralized admission process conducted by the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, for foreign nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries (CIWG).
Through DASA, eligible students can secure admission into:
- National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
- Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
- Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs)
- Other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs)
Admissions are generally based on JEE Main ranks for UG engineering and architecture programs. The official DASA process is managed through the DASA portal.
DASA Counselling Overview:
| Feature | Details/Dates |
| Counselling Name | DASA Counselling 2026 (Direct Admission of Students Abroad) |
| Conducting Authority | National Institute of Technology, Calicut for 2026. |
| Admission For | Foreign Nationals, NRIs, OCI, PIO, CIWG Candidates. |
| Start of Registration | June 2026 (tentative) |
| Seat Allotment | July and August 2026 (tentative) |
| Paticipating Institutes | National Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Information Technology, Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs) |
| Courses Offered | B.Tech, B.Arch,B.Plan |
| Eligibility Basis | JEE Main 2026 Rank |
| Application Mode | Online Registration |
| Counselling Process | Registration, Choice Filling, Seat Allotment, Document Verification, Fee Payment |
| Seat Allotment | Multiple Rounds Based on Merit and Preferences |
| Official Website | dasanit.org. |
| Trusted Portal | Manabadi.co.in |
DASA 2026 Tentative Timeline & Stages:
- Application Process Starts: Last week of April – First week of May 2026.
- Application Portal Closes: Early June 2026.
- Choice Filling and Locking: June – July 2026.
- Mock Allotment: Early July 2026.
- Round 1 Seat Allotment: Mid-July 2026.
- Round 2 Seat Allotment: Late July 2026.
- Round 3 Seat Allotment: Early August 2026.
- Special Round / Internal Sliding: August 2026.
- Reporting to Allotted Institutes: August – September 2026.
Who is Eligible for DASA?
Candidates eligible under DASA usually include:
- Foreign Nationals.
- Students holding foreign passports.
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
- Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIO).
- Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries (CIWG Category).
- Children of Indian workers in Gulf countries may get special seat benefits.
Eligibility for DASA Counselling 2026:
- Valid JEE Main score
- Class 12 or equivalent qualification
- Subject requirements (Physics, Mathematics, etc.)
- Passport/Residency documents
- Official eligibility conditions may vary each year, as outlined in the DASA information brochure.
DASA Counselling Process:
- Online Registration: Candidates register through the official portal or Manabadi.com and upload the necessary documents.
- Fee Payment: Applicants pay the prescribed registration and counselling fee Choice Filling
- Seat Allotment: Students select preferred institutes and courses.
- Seats are allocated based on:
- JEE Main rank
- Category
- Availability
- Candidate preferences
- Confirmation: Candidates accept their seats by paying the fees and completing the admission formalities.
DASA Counselling Rounds:
DASA generally includes:
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Round 3
- Special Round
- Spot Round (if seats remain vacant)
- These rounds maximize seat allocation opportunities for eligible international candidates.
Fee Structure:
| Candidate Category | Registration Fee Details |
|---|---|
| CIWG (Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries) | US$ 300 |
| Non-SAARC Candidates | US$ 300 |
| SAARC Candidates (50% Tuition Fee Waiver Eligible) | US$ 300 |
Courses Available Through DASA:
Students can apply for:
- Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)
- Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
- Master of Technology (M.Tech)
- Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) (for PG through separate criteria)
Popular branches include:
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electronics & Communication
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Architecture
Important Documents Required:
- Passport
- JEE Main scorecard
- Class 10 and 12 certificates
- Proof of nationality
- Category certificates (if applicable)
- Recent photographs
- Payment receipts
For more updates on DASA Counselling process 2026, candidates can visit Manabadi.co.in for more information and regular updates
Expected Cut Offs for DASA Counselling 2026:
| Category / Branch Type | Expected JEE Main Rank Range (DASA 2026) | Competition Level | Key Insights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top NITs CSE (General / Non-SAARC) | AIR 1,000 – 5,000 | Very High | Required for institutes like National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, and National Institute of Technology Warangal |
| Top NITs CSE (CIWG Category) | AIR 3,000 – 9,500 | High | Slightly lower cutoffs than General category due to Gulf quota benefits |
| Premium IIITs (IT/CSE) | AIR 150 – 500 | Extremely High | Institutes like Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad have very competitive closing ranks |
| Core Branches (ECE / EEE / Mechanical) | AIR 15,000 – 60,000 | Moderate to High | Better chances for mid-rank candidates across NITs and IIITs |
| Mid / Lower Tier NITs & IIITs | AIR 25,000 – 1,00,000+ | Moderate | Suitable for broader branch options and safer admission |
| SAARC Category Candidates | Similar to General with fee waiver benefits | High | 50% tuition fee waiver but competition remains strong |
| Factors Influencing Cutoffs | Applicant pool, JEE Main difficulty, seat matrix | Variable | Annual trends may increase or decrease cutoff competitiveness |
List of Countries for DASA Counselling 2026:
| Category | Eligible Countries / Regions | Benefits / Fee Structure | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIWG (Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries) | United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran* | Significantly lower tuition fees under CIWG quota | Parents must be working in eligible Gulf countries. Iran’s inclusion should be verified through official DASA 2026 guidelines. |
| SAARC Category (50% Tuition Fee Waiver) | Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka | Eligible for 50% tuition fee waiver | Applicable to foreign nationals from SAARC countries (excluding India). |
| Non-SAARC Category | All other countries worldwide including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, etc. | Standard DASA fee structure | Open to eligible NRI, OCI, PIO, and Foreign National students globally. |
| General Eligibility Rule (Indian Nationals Studying Abroad) | Indian nationals residing overseas | Must have completed at least 2 years of education (Class 11 & 12 or equivalent) in a foreign country during the last 8 years | Mandatory for DASA eligibility regardless of country category. |
Key Benefits of DASA Counseling:
- Access to Premier Institutions
- Admission to top Indian institutes without JoSAA participation.
- Reserved International Quota
- Dedicated supernumerary seats for foreign and NRI candidates.
- Centralized Transparent Process
- Single-window admission process.
- Global Opportunities
- Useful for Indian-origin students abroad seeking quality education in India
Important Tips for Applicants:
- Check official deadlines regularly
- Keep all documents verified
- Research branch-wise cutoffs
- Prioritize choice filling carefully
- Monitor special round announcement