DASA UG counselling registration for 2026 admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs will open on July 28, 2026, and close on August 3, 2026. The entire process has been expedited to prevent schedule delays, with only two regular rounds of seat allotment planned.
DASA 2026 admissions for UG engineering (NITs, IIITs, CFTIs) are processed based on JEE Main Ranks only. The Ministry of Education assigned the coordination to IIEST, Shibpur. DASA UG seat allotment is conducted jointly with the CSAB-Special Rounds.
DASA Counselling 2026 is specially conducted for Non-Indian Students, NRI (Non-Resident Indian), OCI (Overseas Citizen of India), PIO (Person of Indian Origin), CIWG (Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries), SAARC Candidates, and other Foreign National Students who have appeared for JEE Main 2026 and wish to secure admission to premier technical institutions in India. The JoSAA Special Phase Counselling 2026 will be conducted alongside DASA Counselling 2026, significantly increasing admission opportunities for international applicants. The counselling process facilitates admission to leading NITs, IIITs, Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs), and other participating institutes based on JEE Main Rank 2026, DASA Merit List, and seat availability. Candidates must complete DASA Registration 2026, Eligibility Verification, Choice Filling, Choice Locking, Online Seat Allotment, Fee Payment, and Document Verification to participate in the admission process for B.Tech Admission 2026, B.Arch Admission 2026, and B.Plan Admission 2026 programmes. Conducted by NIT Calicut, the counselling process is one of the most sought-after pathways for International Student Admission in India and Engineering Admission 2026.
Also read about JOSAA Choice Filling Order
Also check for JOSAA Counselling 2026
Also check for CSAB Counselling 2026
Contents
- 1 Latest Updates:
- 2 Josaa Special Phase for Foreign Students:
- 3 What is DASA Counseling?
- 4 DASA Counselling Overview:
- 5 DASA 2026 Tentative Timeline & Stages:
- 6 Who is Eligible for DASA?
- 7 Eligibility for DASA Counselling 2026:
- 8 DASA Counselling Process:
- 9 DASA 2026 Counselling Rounds:
- 10 Fee Structure and Refunds:
- 11 Core Refund Rules
- 12 The Withdrawal Process:
- 13 Courses Available Through DASA:
- 14 Popular branches include:
- 15 Important Documents Required:
- 16 Expected Cut Offs for DASA Counselling 2026:
- 17 List of Countries for DASA Counselling 2026:
- 18 Key Benefits of DASA Counseling:
- 19 Important Tips for Applicants:
Latest Updates:
The DASA (Direct Admission of Students Abroad) 2026 UG Counselling official schedule and information brochure have been released. For the 2026–27 academic year, the admission process is being coordinated jointly under the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) Special Rounds umbrella, with technical support from the National Informatics Center (NIC).
DASA UG 2026 Counselling Schedule
The key dates for the DASA UG counselling process are outlined below:
| Event | Date & Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| Online Registration & Document Upload | July 28 – August 3, 2026 |
| Choice Filling & Locking | July 28 – August 5, 2026 (Ends at 2:00 PM) |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | August 6, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Last Date to Pay Balance DEF (if applicable) | August 4, 2026 (9:00 PM) |
- Coordinating Institute: The Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST Shibpur) has been officially assigned the coordination for the DASA 2026 scheme.
- Application Dates: Registrations are tentatively slated to begin in June, with applications to be submitted via the official CSAB and DASA 2026 portals.
- DASA & CSAB Integration: Similar to the previous year, DASA admissions and CSAB-Special Rounds will operate under one umbrella. Candidates will undergo document verification prior to seat allocation. Qualifying Marks Deadline: Students whose final results are delayed can apply provisionally, provided final results are submitted by September 30, 2026
Manabadi.com remains a trusted platform for students seeking real-time updates on DASA Counselling 2026 Registration Date, DASA Eligibility Criteria 2026, DASA Seat Allotment Result 2026, DASA Counselling Schedule, DASA Fee Structure, DASA Cutoff 2026, NRI Admission 2026, OCI Admission 2026, Foreign Student Admission India, JoSAA Special Round 2026, NIT Admission 2026, IIIT Admission 2026, SPA Admission 2026, JEE Main 2026 Rank-Based Admissions, Engineering Colleges in India for NRI Students, Choice Filling Process, Document Verification, Admission Notifications, Hall Tickets, Answer Keys, Results, and other Engineering Entrance Exam 2026 updates. Students can rely on Manabadi for expert counselling guidance, College Predictor Tools, Opening and Closing Rank Analysis, Seat Matrix Details, admission alerts, and comprehensive information throughout the International Engineering Admission 2026 process.
Josaa Special Phase for Foreign Students:
The chairman of CSAB, Acharya V.M.S.R Murthy has announced that for the academic year 2026-2027, the Josaa special phase counselling for foreign students along with Dasa Counselling 2026, this will increase the seat increasing opportunities for foreign students. Stay tuned for more updates regarding Jee Counselling 2026
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:
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:
- The process is entirely online and usually runs parallel to or slightly after JoSAA:
- Registration: Create an account on the DASA portal using your JEE Main application number.
- Document Upload: You’ll need to upload scans of your passport, Class 10/11/12 marksheets, and (for CIWG) parent’s visa/work permit and employment certificate.
- Choice Filling: You list your preferred college-branch combinations.
- Tip: CIWG candidates can also apply for DASA General seats as their second preference if they don’t get a CIWG seat.
- Seat Allotment: There are usually 3-4 rounds of allocation, plus a “Spot Round” if seats are left.
- Acceptance: If you get a seat, you must “Accept” it and complete the online reporting to secure it.
DASA 2026 Counselling Rounds:
The counselling is generally conducted in the following stages:
- 3 Regular Rounds: These are the primary seat allotment rounds (Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3) based on your JEE Main 2026 All India Rank and the choices you fill during registration.
- 1 Internal Sliding Round: Conducted after Round 3, this allows students who have already secured a seat to “slide” into a preferred branch within the same institute if vacancies arise.
- 1 Special Round: This round is held to fill any remaining vacant seats across all participating institutes after the regular rounds and internal sliding are completed.
- Spot Round (Conditional): If seats still remain vacant after the Special Round, a final Spot Round may be conducted at the discretion of the coordinating authority.
Fee Structure and Refunds:
| Fee Component | CIWG (Gulf Quota) | SAARC Category | Non-SAARC Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee (Non-refundable) | ₹28,320 (US$300) | ₹28,320 (US$300) | ₹28,320 (US$300) |
| Primary Eligibility | Children of Indian workers in Gulf countries | Foreign nationals from SAARC countries | NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals outside SAARC |
| Major Benefit | Highly subsidized fees similar to Indian domestic students | 50% tuition fee waiver | Standard international DASA fee structure |
The refund policy for DASA 2026 is strictly tied to the stage at which a candidate withdraws or is found ineligible. The central coordinating institute for 2026 is expected to be NIT Calicut.
Core Refund Rules
The Rs 28,320 registration fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, including withdrawal, seat rejection, or ineligibility. Refunds apply only to the Tuition Fee (part of the DASA Enrollment Fee) is expected to be 100% refunded
The Withdrawal Process:
- Decline: If you are allotted a seat in Rounds 1, 2, or 3 and choose “Decline,” you are immediately removed from the entire counselling process (including Internal Sliding and Special Rounds). This action is irreversible.
- Withdraw/Exit: You can explicitly choose to withdraw your application via the portal. Doing so generates a “Cancellation/Withdrawal Letter.”
- Non-Action: Failing to “Accept” or “Decline” an allotted seat by the deadline is treated as a Decline, resulting in the cancellation of your seat and removal from subsequent rounds.
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