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JoSAA Counselling 2026: Registration, Fees, Counselling Dates, Opening and Closing Ranks, and Expected Cut-off
Content Writer | Updated On - Apr 4, 2026
What's New in JoSAA Counselling 2026?
The JEE Main JoSAA Counselling registration is set to open in mid-June 2026, offering the candidates an opportunity to select and lock their preferred institutes and courses in the participating institutions like IITs, NITs, IITs and other Government Funded Technical Institutions (GFTIs). JEE Main JoSAA will commence with the official release of the first and second mock allotment lists, giving candidates an indication of the institutes to which they might be allotted.
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority, established by the Ministry of Education, ensures a streamlined and transparent admission process for undergraduate programs across India's top technical institutes. This includes 23 IITs, 31 NITs, IIEST Shibpur, 26 IITs, and 40 Other-Government Funded Technical Institutes (Other-GFTIs).
Go through the article to know more about the counselling dates, process, opening and closing ranks, and expected cut-offs.
Table of Contents
- What is JoSAA Counselling for JEE Main?
- JEE Main JoSAA Counselling 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- JEE Main JoSAA Counselling 2026 Dates (Expected)
- JEE Main JoSAA 2026 Opening and Closing Rank (Expected)
- JEE Main JoSAA Counselling 2026 Cut-off (Expected)
- JEE Main JoSAA Counselling Cut-off PDF 2026
- JEE Main JoSAA 2026 Counselling Process
- JEE Main JoSAA Counselling Fees: SAF and PAF
- JEE Main JoSAA counselling 2026 Participating Institutes
9.1 FAQs
9.2 How much percentile is needed for JoSAA counselling?
9.3 2. What are the minimum marks for JoSAA counselling?
9.4 3. Is JoSAA counseling 2024 over?
What is JEE Main JoSAA Counselling?
JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) Counselling for JEE Main is a centralized admission process for allocating seats to candidates in undergraduate engineering, architecture, and planning programs at IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. It allows candidates to select their preferred institutes and courses based on their JEE Main ranks.
It has a total of 6 rounds and after each round, the opening and closing ranks are released based on JEE Main cut-offs. If the seat is allotted the candidates must pay the counselling fee and, if not, they have the option to participate in CSAB counselling for admission to NITs and other institutions.
JEE Main JoSAA Counselling: Eligibility Criteria
Here’s a table summarising the eligibility criteria for JEE Main JoSAA Counselling 2026:
| Eligibility | Details |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Qualification | Require for admissions to IITs, NITs, and GFTIs. Candidates must have a valid JEE Main rank. |
| JEE Advanced Qualification | Require for admissions to IITs, NITs, and GFTIs. Candidates must have a valid JEE Main rank. |
| Educational Qualification | General category: 75% in class 12th SC/PWD: 65% in class 12th |
| Age Limit | No specific Age limit |
| Nationality | The application is open to Indian and foreign candidates. |
JEE Main JoSAA Counselling 2026 Dates (Expected)
The table below represents the JEE Main JoSAA Counselling dates for 2026. The dates are tentative and subject to change. Please refer to the official website for updates regarding the dates.
| Events | Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Registration Begins | June 3, 2026 |
| Mock Seat Allocation 1 | June 8, 2026 |
| Mock Seat Allocation 2 | June 10, 2026 |
| Registration Ends | June 14, 2026 |
| Round 1 Dates | June |
| Round 2 Dates | June |
| Round 3 Dates | July |
| Round 4 Dates | July |
| Round 5 Dates | July |
| Round 6 Dates | July |
JEE Main JoSAA Counselling Opening and Closing Rank 2026 (Expected)
The opening rank indicates the first candidate admitted, while the closing rank shows the last admitted candidate in a specific category and program. Refer to the table below for more information regarding the ranks in JEE Main JoSAA Counselling:
| Category | 2026 Opening Rank (Expected) | 2026Closing Rank (Expected) | 2024 Opening Rank | 2024Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 1 | 11000 | 1 | 10000 |
| OBC | 1700 | 22000 | 1500 | 20000 |
| SC | 3200 | 50000 | 3000 | 45000 |
| ST | 6500 | 58000 | 6000 | 55000 |
| EWS | 6000 | 12000 | 500 | 10000 |
| General Pwd | 100 | 5000 | 150 | 5500 |
| OBC-NCL-Pwd | 550 | 11500 | 500 | 10000 |
| SC- Pwd | 1200 | 13500 | 1000 | 12000 |
| ST- Pwd | 1700 | 16000 | 1500 | 15000 |
JEE Main JoSAA Counselling Expected Cut-off for 2026
The cut-off for JEE Main JoSAA counselling is released separately for different institutes and courses. The factors that influence the cut-off are mainly the previous year's cut-offs, reservation policies, and performance trends.
The cut-offs vary yearly depending on factors like:
- Number of candidates.
- Difficulty level of JEE Main.
- Seat availability.
The table represents the expected rank range of 2026 based on previous year data of 2024 and 2023:
| Year | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST | Pwd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2500- 30000 (expected) | 600- 6,000 (expected) | 1,000–15,000 (expected) | 300 – 6,500 (expected) | 100 – 4,500 (expected) | 1 – 1,500 (expected) |
| 2024 | 2,800–30,500 | 650–6,500 | 1,100 –15,500 | 350 – 6,500 | 150 – 4,500 | 1 – 1,600 |
| 2023 | 2,600 – 30,200 | 620 – 6,300 | 1,050 –15,200 | 320 – 6,300 | 120 – 4,300 | 1- 1500 |
JEE Main JoSAA Counselling Cut-off PDF 2026
The cut-off PDF for 2026 will be released after each round of seat allotment on the official website of JoSAA. The cut-off pdf for JEE Main JoSAA counselling includes:
- Opening and closing ranks for each institute.
- Category-wise cut-offs.
- Program-specific details
JEE Main JoSAA Counselling Previous Year Cut-off PDF
Candidates can download the Previous Year Cut-off PDF from the links mentioned in the table below:
JoSAA Counselling Cut off 2023
| JoSAA 2023 Counselling Round | IITs Cut Off(OR-CR) | NITs Cut Off(OR-CR) | IIITs Cut Off(OR-CR) | GFTIs Cut Off(OR-CR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Download | Download | Download | Download |
| Round 2 | Download | Download | Download | Download |
| Round 3 | Download | Download | Download | Download |
| Round 4 | Download | Download | Download | Download |
| Round 5 | Download | Download | Download | Download |
| Round 6 | Download | Download | Download | Download |
JEE Main JoSAA Counselling Process
The JEE Main JoSAA 2026 Counselling process is a procedure of the Joint Seat Allocation Board to secure a seat in the institution based on the JEE Rank. Candidates need to register themselves on the official website of JoSAA, fill their preference for institute and courses, and attend document verification. The process will also include fee payment, document verification, and reporting to the allotted institutes.
The counselling process for JEE Main JoSAA 2026 is mentioned below:
JoSAA Counselling 2026 Registration on the JoSAA Portal
The first step in the JoSAA 2026 counselling process is registering on the official portal. Click on “New Registration” and register on the official website by entering your details. Verify the Personal and Academic details mentioned in the registration form. Below is the check list of academic and personal details to verify before proceeding further in the JoSAA counselling process:
| Personal Details to Verify | Academic details to Verify |
|---|---|
|
|
JoSAA Counselling Choice Filling and Locking Preferences
Choice Filling: Choice filling allows candidates to select and arrange their preference of courses according to their priority and this process is done online through the official website of JoSAA. The candidate’s rank and seat allocation are based on the choice filling process, so he/she should try to fill as many preferences as they can to secure a seat in the JoSAA counselling.
Candidates can edit their preference choices by rearranging their choices, interchanging two or more choices, and deleting the choices filled.
Final Choice Locking: After choosing their preferred institutes and courses, the candidates can lock their choices. After locking the choices there will be no option to edit or change the preference list. The candidate should lock their choices within the given time frame by the authority, those who do not lock their choice within the deadline, their preferences will be locked automatically..
JoSAA Counselling Seat Allotment confirmation
In the Seat Allotment process of JoSAA 2026, the candidates are allotted seats based on their JEE Main rank, preferences and seat availability. The candidates should opt for the seat using one of these options i.e. Freeze, Float, or Slide. The table below gives a description about the options and when to choose them:
| Option | Description | When to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze | The candidate accepts the allotted seat and does not wish to participate in further rounds of seat allocation. | Choose if fully satisfied with the current seat allocation and do not want to consider any other option. |
| Float | The candidate accepts the allotted seat but wants to be considered for a better seat in other institutes in subsequent rounds. | Choose if open to changing institutes for a preferred program in future allocation rounds. |
| Slide | The candidate accepts the allotted seat but wishes to be considered for an upgrade to a better program within the same institute in future rounds. | Choose if satisfied with the institute but wish to upgrade to a preferred program offered within the same institute. |
JoSAA Total Seats Previous Year Analysis (2015-2024)
The seats for JEE Main JoSAA counselling have increased over the recent years, from only 34,126 total seats in 2015 to 59,917 seats in 2024. The table below provides the detail about total seats in JoSAA counselling over the last 10 years:
| Year | Total Seats |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 59,917 |
| 2023 | 57,152 |
| 2022 | 46,000 |
| 2021 | 41,020 |
| 2020 | 39,501 |
| 2019 | 38,400 |
| 2018 | 37,473 |
| 2017 | 36,743 |
| 2016 | 36,000 |
| 2015 | 34,126 |
JEE Main JoSAA Counselling Fees: SAF and PAF
The candidates must pay the seat acceptance fee to secure an admission in the JoSAA Counselling process. The seat acceptance fees for JoSAA depend on the category of the candidate. The table below shows the counselling fees:
Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) details:
| Category | Seat Acceptance Fee |
|---|---|
| General/General-EWS | ₹35,000 |
| SC, ST, GEN-PwD, GEN-EWS-PwD, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC-PwD or ST-PwD | ₹17,500 |
Partial Admission Fee (PAF) details:
| Category | Partial Admission Fee |
|---|---|
| General/General-EWS | ₹45,000 |
| SC, ST, GEN-PwD, GEN-EWS-PwD, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC-PwD or ST-PwD | ₹20,000 |
Documents Required for JEE Main JoSAA Counselling
The candidates should keep the following documents prepared before applying for the JoSAA counselling 2026:
| Documents | For IITs | For NITs or other |
|---|---|---|
| JEE Advanced Admit Card | Mandatory | Not required |
| JEE Main Admit Card | Mandatory for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS). | Mandatory |
| JEE Advanced Rank Card | Required for OBC-NCL/EWS candidates | Not required |
| JEE Main Rank Card | Issued by a recognized medical board | Mandatory (Download from official portal) |
| Class 10th Marksheet/ Certificate | Required for both IIT and NIT | Required for both IIT and NIT |
| Class 12th Marksheet | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) | Mandatory for reserved category | Same as for IITs |
| Income Certificate (if applicable) | Require for OBS/EWS candidates | Same as for IITs |
| PwD Certificate (if applicable | Issued by a recognized medical board | Same as for IITs |
| Provisional Seat allotment letter | Mandatory (Downloaded from the JoSAA portal) | Same as for IITs |
| Photo Identification Proof | Aadhar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or similar ID | Same as for IITs |
| Passport-size Photographs | Recent photographs as per JoSAA specifications | Same as for IITs |
| Migration/Transfer Certificate | Issued by the previous institution | Same as for IITs |
| Medical Fitness Certificate | Issued by a registered medical practitioner | Same as for IITs |
| Gap Certificate (if applicable | Require if the candidate took a gap | Same as for IITs |
What Happens if a Student Misses Deadlines?
Missing deadlines can lead to disqualification from the counselling process, and the allotted seat will be offered to another candidate. Timely fee payment is important for seat confirmation.
How to Track the Counselling Process?
Candidates should keep an eye on their counselling process to avoid missing any important update from the official website of CSAB. You can refer to the following sources for tracking the counselling process:
- You can refer to the official website of JoSAA and their app for the primary source for updates regarding the seat allocation process.
- The Official app “Sandes” can be a helpful tool to stay updated with the counselling-related messages
JEE Main JoSAA Counselling 2026 Participating Institutes
The institutions participating in the JEE main 2026 JoSAA counselling are divided into four sections, namely IITs, NITs, IIITs and GFTIs. The table below provides the list of the participating institutions in the JoSAA counselling 2026 process:
| Name of Institute | Number of Institutes |
|---|---|
| Indian Institue of Technology (IITs) | 23 |
| National Institute of Technology (NIT) | 26 |
| Indian Institute of Information Technology(IIITs) | 32 |
| Government Funded Tehcnical Instiutes (GFTIs) | 40 |
JoSAA Counselling Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Links:
JEE Main CSAB SFTI Counselling
JEE Main CSAB NEUT Counselling
JEE Main JoSAA Counselling FAQ’s
Question 1. What percentile is required for JoSAA counselling?
Answer- To be eligible for JoSAA counselling, candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
-
Minimum Marks in Class 12 Examination: Achieve at least 75% aggregate marks in the Class 12 examination. For SC/ST candidates, the minimum requirement is 65%.
-
Top 20 Percentile in Class 12 Examination: Be within the top 20 percentile of successful candTechnical their respective Class 12 board examinations.
Question 2. What are the minimum marks for JoSAA counselling?
Answer- The minimum marks required for JoSAA counselling are:
-
For General Category Candidates: At least 75% aggregate marks in the Class 12 examination.
-
For SC/ST Candidates: At least 65% aggregate marks in the Class 12 examination.
Alternatively, candidates can be eligible if they are within the top 20 percentile of successful candidates in their respective Class 12 board examinations.
Question 3. Is JoSAA counseling 2024 over?
Answer- Yes, JoSAA counselling for the year 2024 has concluded. The counselling process typically begins in June and concludes by the end of July. For the most current information on counselling schedules and eligibility criteria, please refer to the official JoSAA website.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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