| Updated On - Jul 16, 2026
CSAB has released the schedule for DASA UG and CSAB Special Rounds 2026 on csab.nic.in. The counselling will have two rounds of seat allocation for vacant NIT seats after JoSAA 2026 ends. Fresh registration is mandatory.
The Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) has released the official schedule for the Direct Admission of Students Abroad Undergraduate (DASA UG) 2026 and CSAB Special Rounds 2026 on the official website at csab.nic.in. The schedule, along with two information brochures, was uploaded on June 3, 2026. It outlines the counselling timeline for filling vacant seats in National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and other participating institutes after the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) 2026 rounds end.
As per the official notification, DASA UG 2026 and CSAB Special 2026 will run as a unified counselling system. The board will conduct two rounds of seat allocation under this combined process. Candidates seeking admission must visit the CSAB portal and complete a fresh registration. The earlier choices filled during JoSAA 2026 will not carry over.
Check Now: Download Information Brochure CSAB Special Rounds 2026 PDF
CSAB Special 2026 and DASA UG 2026 Key Dates
| Round / Phase | Event | Date/Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| For CSAB Special Rounds Only | Online request for category restoration START | Wed, 22 Jul 2026, 10:00 hrs |
| Online request for category restoration END | Thu, 23 Jul 2026, 17:00 hrs | |
| Last day to respond to queries regarding category restoration | Fri, 24 Jul 2026, 12:00 hrs | |
| Display of vacancies after JoSAA Rounds | Tue, 28 Jul 2026, 10:00 hrs | |
| Registration | Registration, payment of DEF/SREF & Choice Filling START | Tue, 28 Jul 2026, 10:00 hrs |
| DASA document uploading starts | Tue, 28 Jul 2026, 10:00 hrs | |
| Display of Mock Seat Allocation | Fri, 31 Jul 2026, 10:00 hrs | |
| Registration, DEF/SREF payment & document upload END | Mon, 03 Aug 2026, 10:00 hrs | |
| Resolution of payment issues | Tue, 04 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs | |
| DASA: Last day to respond to document verification queries | Tue, 04 Aug 2026, 21:00 hrs | |
| DASA: Last day to pay balance DEF (if applicable) | Tue, 04 Aug 2026, 21:00 hrs | |
| Choice Filling & Choice Locking END | Wed, 05 Aug 2026, 14:00 hrs | |
| Data reconciliation for eligible candidates | Wed, 05 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs | |
| Round I | Display of Round I Seat Allotment Result | Thu, 06 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs |
| Willingness submission (Freeze/Slide/Float/Surrender/Withdraw/Exit) | 06 Aug – 10 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs | |
| CSAB Online Reporting (IAF-II payment, document upload & verification) | 06 Aug – 10 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs | |
| Last day to respond to document verification queries | Tue, 11 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs | |
| Resolution of IAF-II payment issues | Tue, 11 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs | |
| Round II | Display of Round II Seat Allotment Result | Wed, 12 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs |
| CSAB Online Reporting (IAF-II payment, document upload & verification) | 12 Aug – 14 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs | |
| Last day to respond to document verification queries | Mon, 17 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs | |
| Resolution of IAF-II payment issues | Mon, 17 Aug 2026, 17:00 hrs | |
| PI Reporting | Physical reporting at allotted institutes by candidates who confirmed seats | Tentative: Thu, 13 Aug – Tue, 18 Aug 2026 |
| Balance fee payment at the allotted institute | Tentative: Thu, 13 Aug – Tue, 18 Aug 2026 |
The CSAB Special Rounds aim to fill seats left vacant in NITs, IIITs, and Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) after JoSAA 2026 concludes its rounds. The DASA UG 2026 channel handles seats reserved for foreign nationals, Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Indian nationals studying abroad. Both run on a shared timeline this year.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligibility differs by stream and is set out in the official brochures. The key conditions are listed below.
- CSAB Special Rounds: Candidates with a valid JEE Main 2026 score who participated in JoSAA 2026 are eligible.
- DASA UG 2026: Foreign nationals, OCIs, PIOs, and Indian nationals living abroad with valid SAT or JEE Main 2026 scores, as specified in the brochure.
- NEUT Round: Candidates from North-Eastern states and Union Territories may apply under the supernumerary scheme.
How to Register for CSAB Special 2026?
Candidates must complete a fresh registration on the CSAB portal. The process for DASA and CSAB Special differs from JoSAA at every stage. Follow the steps below once the registration window opens.
- Visit the official website at csab.nic.in/csab-special.
- Click on the registration link for CSAB Special 2026 or DASA UG 2026.
- Log in using the JEE Main 2026 application number and password.
- Fill in personal details and upload required documents.
- Pay the counselling fee through the available online modes.
- Fill and lock fresh choices of institute and branch.
The board has clarified that if candidates do not lock their choices, the last saved choices will be locked automatically when the deadline ends. Document verification for DASA candidates will be completed before seat allotment. For CSAB Special candidates, verification will take place during the allotment rounds.
CSAB Special 2026 Counselling Structure
The counselling will follow the structure given below.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Registration | Fresh sign-up on CSAB portal using JEE Main credentials |
| Choice Filling and Locking | Selection of preferred institutes and branches |
| Special Round 1 | First seat allotment based on merit and choices |
| Special Round 2 | Second seat allotment after vacant seats are updated |
| Document Verification | Before allotment for DASA; during rounds for CSAB |
| Reporting at Institute | Physical reporting after final allotment |
The CSAB Special Rounds are the last official window to secure a seat in an NIT or GFTI after JoSAA. Many top branches reopen here due to withdrawals. Candidates outside the JoSAA cut-off often gain seats through this route.
Action Plan for Candidates
- Download both information brochures from csab.nic.in and read them fully.
- Note the registration and choice filling dates from the official schedule PDF.
- Keep JEE Main 2026 credentials, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, and category certificates ready.
- Arrange the counselling fee in advance through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
- Register on the CSAB portal as soon as the window opens.
- Fill and lock fresh choices before the deadline to avoid auto-locking.
Watch csab.nic.in for the opening of the registration window and the release of round-wise vacant seat matrix.
Also Read:
- Top Colleges in India Accepting DASA Based on 2026 Ranking
- Top Colleges in India Accepting CSAB Counselling Based on 2026 Ranking
- JEE Advanced AAT 2026 Result Declared; Check Qualifying Status and B.Arch Admission Steps
- JoSAA 2026 Mock Seat Allotment 1 Result Out; Check Steps to Modify Choices Before Mock Round 2
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