The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) has officially started the JoSAA Counselling 2026 registration and choice filling process for candidates seeking admission to premier engineering institutions across India. Eligible candidates who have qualified JEE Main 2026 or JEE Advanced 2026 can now register online and fill their preferred choices of institutes and courses through the official JoSAA portal. The counselling process plays a crucial role in securing admission to IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, and other Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs). More than 67,000 seats are expected to be allocated through the centralized counselling process this year.
JoSAA counselling is conducted entirely online and includes registration, choice filling, mock seat allotment, seat allocation, fee payment, document verification, and final admission confirmation. Candidates are advised to carefully complete each step within the prescribed timeline, as missing any deadline may lead to cancellation of candidature or seat allotment.
JoSAA Counselling 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Counselling Authority | Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) |
| Counselling Start Date | June 2, 2026 |
| Registration Mode | Online |
| Choice Filling Begins | June 2, 2026 |
| Last Date for Registration & Choice Filling | June 11, 2026 |
| Participating Institutes | IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST & GFTIs |
| Official Website | josaa.nic.in |
| Admission Basis | JEE Main 2026 & JEE Advanced 2026 Ranks |
JoSAA Counselling 2026 Registration Link
The JoSAA Counselling 2026 registration process has officially commenced on the Joint Seat Allocation Authority’s official website. Candidates who have qualified either JEE Main 2026 or JEE Advanced 2026 are eligible to participate in the counselling process and can access the registration portal using their respective application credentials.
To begin the process, candidates must log in using their JEE Main application number and password or JEE Advanced credentials. After successful login, candidates should verify their personal information, rank details, category information, and other academic details before proceeding to the choice filling stage. Since admission to prestigious institutions such as IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, and GFTIs depends heavily on the choices submitted by candidates, it is important to carefully evaluate and prioritize preferred institutes and branches.
The registration and choice filling window opened on June 2, 2026, and will remain active until June 11, 2026. Candidates are strongly advised not to wait until the final day, as heavy traffic on the portal may lead to login issues, slower response times, or difficulties in saving and locking choices. Completing the process early also provides sufficient time to analyze previous years’ cut-offs, explore available options, and make informed admission decisions.
JoSAA Counselling Registration Link
JoSAA 2026 Important Dates
Candidates should keep track of all key counselling events to avoid missing any important deadlines.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration & Choice Filling Begins | June 2, 2026 |
| Registration & Choice Filling Ends | June 11, 2026 |
| Mock Seat Allotment Round 1 | June 2026 |
| Mock Seat Allotment Round 2 | June 2026 |
| Choice Locking Deadline | June 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | June 13, 2026 |
| Online Reporting & Fee Payment Begins | June 13, 2026 |
Candidates should regularly check the official JoSAA website for updates regarding subsequent seat allotment rounds, withdrawal dates, and admission-related notifications.
What is JoSAA Counselling 2026?
JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) is the centralized counselling and seat allocation process conducted every year for admission to some of India’s most prestigious engineering and technical institutions. The counselling process ensures a transparent and merit-based allocation of seats to eligible candidates based on their JEE ranks, category, reservation status, and choice preferences.
Through a single counselling platform, candidates can apply for admission to:
- 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
- 31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
- 26 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
- Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur
- 40 Other Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs)
JoSAA simplifies the admission process by eliminating the need for separate counselling procedures for individual institutes. Candidates with a valid JEE Advanced rank are eligible for admission to IITs as well as NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, while candidates with a valid JEE Main rank can compete for seats in NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, and other participating GFTIs.
The seat allocation process is conducted in multiple rounds, allowing candidates to upgrade their allotted seats based on availability and their preference order. This centralized mechanism helps students secure admission to suitable colleges and branches while ensuring fair and efficient seat distribution across participating institutions.
Also Read: JEE Advanced Result
How to Register for JoSAA Counselling 2026?
Candidates can follow the steps below to complete their registration successfully:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Open the JoSAA portal and click on the registration link.
Step 2: Login Using JEE Credentials
Enter your JEE Main 2026 Application Number or JEE Advanced 2026 credentials and password.
Step 3: Verify Candidate Details
Personal information, category details, and rank information will automatically appear on the screen.
Step 4: Complete Registration
Verify the information and submit the registration form.
Step 5: Proceed to Choice Filling
After successful registration, candidates can select their preferred institutes and academic programmes.
Step 6: Lock Choices
Candidates must lock their choices before the deadline. If not locked manually, the system may automatically lock the last saved preferences.
JoSAA Choice Filling 2026
Choice filling is one of the most important stages of the counselling process. Candidates can select and arrange colleges and courses according to their preferences.
While filling choices, candidates should consider:
- Previous year opening and closing ranks
- Branch preference
- Institute reputation
- Location preference
- Placement opportunities
- Future career goals
Candidates are advised to include a mix of ambitious, realistic, and safe choices to maximize their chances of securing admission.
JoSAA 2026 Seat Matrix
According to the latest seat matrix, JoSAA 2026 will offer approximately 67,323 seats across participating institutes.
| Institute Type | Seats Available |
| IITs | 18,951 |
| NITs | 25,162 |
| IIITs | 11,518 |
| GFTIs | 11,692 |
| Total | 67,323 |
The final seat matrix may be revised by the participating institutions.
Documents Required for JoSAA Counselling 2026
Candidates should keep the following documents ready before registration and online reporting:
- JEE Main 2026 Admit Card
- JEE Main 2026 Rank Card
- JEE Advanced 2026 Rank Card (for IIT admissions)
- Class 10 Mark Sheet
- Class 12 Mark Sheet
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), if applicable
- PwD Certificate, if applicable
- Passport-Size Photographs
- Valid Photo ID Proof
- Medical Certificate (if required)
- Seat Acceptance Fee Payment Receipt
JoSAA Counselling Fee 2026
There is no registration fee for JoSAA counselling and choice filling. However, candidates who receive a seat allotment must pay the prescribed seat acceptance fee to confirm their admission.
The seat acceptance fee varies according to category and institution type and will be displayed during the seat acceptance process.
JoSAA 2026 Seat Allotment Process
The JoSAA 2026 Seat Allotment Process is one of the most important stages of counselling, as it determines the institute and academic programme allotted to candidates based on their rank, category, preferences, and seat availability. The allocation process is conducted in multiple rounds to ensure fair and transparent distribution of seats across IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, and other participating GFTIs.
Before the actual seat allotment rounds begin, JoSAA releases mock seat allotments to help candidates understand their likely admission prospects based on the choices filled by them. These mock allotments provide valuable insights and allow candidates to revise, rearrange, add, or remove choices before the final locking deadline.
According to the official schedule, the JoSAA 2026 Mock Seat Allotment will be published on June 8, 2026. Candidates can view their provisional allotment status by logging into the JoSAA candidate portal using their credentials.
Key Features of JoSAA Seat Allotment 2026
- Seat allotment is based on JEE Main or JEE Advanced rank.
- Category and reservation policies are considered during allocation.
- Candidate preferences and choice order play a crucial role.
- Seat availability across participating institutes impacts allotment.
- Mock allotment helps candidates optimize their choices before final submission.
- Multiple counselling rounds provide opportunities for seat upgrades.
Candidates are advised to carefully analyze mock allotment results and make informed modifications to improve their chances of securing their desired branch or institute.
JoSAA 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before participating in the counselling process, candidates must ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements prescribed by JoSAA and the respective participating institutions.
A candidate is eligible for JoSAA Counselling 2026 if they satisfy any of the following conditions:
For IIT Admissions
- Must have qualified JEE Advanced 2026.
- Must fulfill all eligibility requirements prescribed by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
For NITs, IIITs, IIEST, and GFTIs
- Must have obtained a valid rank in JEE Main 2026.
- Must satisfy the admission criteria specified by the respective institutes.
Academic Eligibility
- Candidates must meet the Class 12 or equivalent qualification requirements prescribed by the participating institutions.
- Category-specific eligibility conditions, if applicable, must also be fulfilled.
In general, candidates who have successfully qualified JEE Main 2026 or JEE Advanced 2026 can participate in the JoSAA counselling process and compete for available seats based on merit.
Admission Criteria Through JoSAA 2026
Admission through JoSAA is based on candidates’ performance in national-level entrance examinations. The eligibility criteria vary depending on the institute category.
Admission to IITs and IISc
Admission to IITs and certain programmes at IISc is based exclusively on a candidate’s performance in JEE Advanced 2026. Only candidates who qualify JEE Advanced are eligible to compete for these seats.
Admission to NITs, IIITs, IIEST, and GFTIs
Admissions to these institutions are granted based on:
- JEE Main 2026 B.E./B.Tech Paper
- JEE Main 2026 B.Arch Paper
- JEE Main 2026 B.Plan Paper
depending on the course selected by the candidate.
It is important to note that qualifying JEE Main or JEE Advanced does not automatically guarantee admission. Candidates must also satisfy all institute-specific eligibility conditions and successfully complete the counselling process.
How to Resolve Issues During JoSAA 2026 Registration?
While registering for JoSAA counselling, candidates may occasionally face technical or login-related issues. Most problems can be resolved quickly by following a few basic troubleshooting steps.
Common Solutions
Check Internet Connectivity
Ensure that your internet connection is stable and functioning properly before beginning registration.
Clear Browser Cache
Old cache files and cookies can sometimes interfere with portal functionality. Clearing browser data often resolves login and loading issues.
Use an Updated Browser
Candidates are advised to use the latest versions of browsers such as:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
Prefer Desktop or Laptop
The JoSAA portal functions more efficiently on a desktop or laptop. Using mobile devices may occasionally lead to display or submission issues.
Contact JoSAA Helpdesk
If problems persist despite following the above steps, candidates should immediately contact the JoSAA Helpdesk and seek technical assistance before the registration deadline.
Important Instructions for JoSAA Counselling 2026
Candidates participating in JoSAA Counselling 2026 should follow all official instructions carefully to avoid cancellation of candidature or loss of allotted seats.
Key Guidelines for Candidates
- Verify all personal, academic, and category details before final submission.
- Fill a sufficient number of choices to maximize admission opportunities.
- Arrange choices in the exact order of preference.
- Save and lock choices before the deadline.
- Keep all required documents ready for verification.
- Monitor the official JoSAA website regularly for updates and announcements.
- Download and preserve copies of registration forms, allotment letters, and payment receipts.
- Complete fee payment and reporting formalities within the stipulated timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to register for JoSAA Counselling 2026?
The last date to complete JoSAA Counselling 2026 registration and choice filling is June 11, 2026. Candidates are advised to register and lock their choices well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Q2. Who is eligible to participate in JoSAA Counselling 2026?
Candidates who have qualified JEE Main 2026 are eligible for admission to NITs, IIITs, IIEST, and GFTIs, while candidates who have qualified JEE Advanced 2026 can participate in counselling for IIT admissions as well as other participating institutes.
Q3. How many rounds of seat allotment will be conducted in JoSAA 2026?
JoSAA 2026 counselling will be conducted in multiple rounds of seat allotment. Candidates can check their allotted seats after each round and choose options such as Freeze, Float, or Slide based on their admission preferences.
Q4. What documents are required for JoSAA Counselling 2026 document verification?
Candidates generally need their JEE Main/JEE Advanced scorecard, Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, category certificate (if applicable), photo ID proof, passport-size photographs, and other supporting documents during the JoSAA 2026 document verification process.
Q5. Is there any registration fee for JoSAA Counselling 2026?
No, there is no registration fee for participating in JoSAA Counselling 2026. However, candidates who receive a seat allotment must pay the prescribed seat acceptance fee to confirm their admission and participate in subsequent counselling rounds.