How to Register for JEE Main Counselling 2026
| Updated On - Apr 28, 2026
JEE Main 2026 counselling registration is expected to open in the first week of June 2026 at josaa.nic.in, with choice filling starting simultaneously on the same day. JoSAA conducts six rounds of seat allotment across IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
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JEE Main 2026 JoSAA counselling is mandatory for admission to 23 IITs, 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and 40 GFTIs, and no direct college-level application is accepted.
- There is no registration fee for JEE Main counselling; however, students must pay the seat acceptance fee after receiving the allotment.
- Candidates who do not lock choices before the JoSAA 2026 deadline will have the last saved preference list auto-locked, which may not reflect actual priorities.
- OBC-NCL and EWS certificates for JEE Main 2026 JoSAA must be issued on or after April 1, 2026, or the category benefit will be cancelled.
Related Articles:
- JEE Main 2026 JoSAA Counselling: Dates, Process and Rounds
- JEE Main 2026 Result: Check Scorecard and Download
- JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoffs After Session 2
Key Summary:
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How to Register for JEE Main Counselling 2026: Step by Step
Registration on the JoSAA portal is the first step in the counselling process. The steps below outline how to authenticate, verify details, and move to choice filling.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit josaa.nic.in and click on New Candidate Registration |
| Step 2 | Authenticate using JEE Main 2026 application number, candidate name, mother's name, and date of birth |
| Step 3 | Verify the OTP sent to the registered mobile number and email ID |
| Step 4 | Create a separate JoSAA password for the candidate portal |
| Step 5 | Log in using the JEE Main application number and newly created JoSAA password |
| Step 6 | Verify all auto-fetched details: rank, category, gender, state of eligibility |
| Step 7 | Confirm registration and proceed directly to choice filling |
JEE Main 2026 JoSAA Choice Filling: How It Works
Once registration is complete, the next stage is selecting and arranging preferred institutes and courses. The process below explains how to add, modify, and lock choices correctly.
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Access choice filling | Log in to josaa.nic.in after completing registration |
| Verify OTP | Confirm the OTP sent to the registered contact before entering choices |
| Select institute and programme | Choose from available IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs |
| Arrange by priority | Put the most preferred institute and branch at the top |
| Edit before deadline | Choices can be added, removed, and reordered any number of times before locking |
| Lock choices | Confirm the final preference list before the last date |
JoSAA 2026 Seat Allotment: Freeze, Float, and Slide Explained
After each allotment round, candidates must select an acceptance option based on their preference. The options below explain how each choice affects future rounds.
| Option | What It Means | When to Choose |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze | Accept the allotted seat and exit all remaining rounds | When satisfied with the allotted institute and branch |
| Float | Accept the seat but remain eligible for better options in any institute in future rounds | When open to upgrading to a higher-ranked institute |
| Slide | Accept the institute but seek a higher-preferred branch within the same institute | When satisfied with the college but want a better branch |
| Withdraw | Reject the seat and exit JoSAA entirely | When not interested in any JoSAA allotment |
Read More:
JEE Main 2026 JoSAA Counselling Eligibility
Eligibility for JoSAA counselling varies slightly across institute types. The table below summarises the basic requirements for IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
| Institute Type | Eligibility Requirement |
| IITs | Valid JEE Advanced 2026 rank, Class 12 with 75% marks (65% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| NITs, IIITs, GFTIs | Valid JEE Main 2026 rank, Class 12 with 75% marks (65% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| All categories | Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in Class 12 |
| Appearing candidates | Class 12 passed in 2025 or appearing in 2026 |
FAQs
Ques. When does JEE Main 2026 counselling registration start?
Ans. JoSAA 2026 registration is expected around June 1 to 3, 2026 at josaa.nic.in, one day after the JEE Advanced 2026 result. Candidates log in using the JEE Main application number and a new JoSAA password created during registration. Choice filling opens simultaneously and both are free of cost.
Ques. How many choices should be filled in JEE Main 2026 JoSAA counselling?
Ans. Students need to fill a minimum of 50 choices while 100 and above choices are recommended by counsellors and toppers in strict order of preference. Once locked, the order cannot be altered. The choices that remain unaltered on expiry of time will be locked automatically on its own.
Ques. What is the difference between Float and Freeze in JoSAA 2026?
Ans. Freeze locks the allotted seat and exits the candidate from all remaining rounds. Float accepts the current seat but keeps the candidate eligible for a better allotment in later rounds. Use Freeze when the allotted institute is already a top preference; use Float when still open to an upgrade.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.