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 2026 Counselling Rounds:
- 8 Fee Structure and Refunds:
- 9 Core Refund Rules
- 10 The Withdrawal Process:
- 11 Courses Available Through DASA:
- 12 Popular branches include:
- 13 Important Documents Required:
- 14 Expected Cut Offs for DASA Counselling 2026:
- 15 List of Countries for DASA Counselling 2026:
- 16 Key Benefits of DASA Counseling:
- 17 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:
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