CSAB Engineering

📌 What is CSAB?

The Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB), formerly known as the Central Counselling Board (CCB), has been constituted by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, for conducting coordinated admissions to undergraduate degree programs in engineering, technology, architecture, and planning. These admissions are offered through participating institutes under the NIT+ System based on Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) ranks.

CSAB operates in coordination with the Joint Admission Board (JAB) and the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) to facilitate centralized seat allocation. While JoSAA conducts five rounds of counselling for IITs and the NIT+ System, CSAB conducts Special Rounds after completion of JoSAA to fill vacant seats in participating institutes (excluding IITs and IISc).

🎯 Purpose of CSAB Special Rounds 2026

The CSAB Special Rounds 2026 conducted through an online counselling process using the official CSAB portal (csab.nic.in) are specifically meant to:

• Allocate seats remaining vacant after JoSAA 2026 (5 rounds)
• Fill available seats in participating institutes of the NIT+ System

CSAB 2026 will conduct two Special Rounds (Special Round-I and Special Round-II) of seat allotment for the NIT+ System. The entire process is computer-operated and strictly follows predefined rules and timelines, with no provision for exceptions or deadline extensions.

🏫 Participating Institutes (NIT+ System)

Admissions through CSAB Special Rounds 2026 are offered in 114 participating institutes under the NIT+ System:

• 32 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), including IIEST Shibpur
• 26 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
• 56 Other Government Funded Technical Institutes (Other-GFTIs), including SPAs

These institutes collectively form the NIT+ System, where seat allocation is carried out based on JEE (Main) 2026 ranks. IITs and IISc do not participate in CSAB. The final list of participating institutes is available on csab.nic.in.

💻 Online Activities

Candidates are required to carefully read the Information Brochure and regularly visit the official CSAB website (csab.nic.in) for updates. All activities related to the counselling process are conducted online, including:

• Registration
• Choice filling and locking
• Seat allotment
• Online reporting
• Admission procedures

Candidates must complete each step within the stipulated schedule to remain eligible for admission. Failure to adhere to the prescribed timelines or procedures may result in cancellation of candidature.

👥 Eligible Candidates

Eligible candidates include the following types:

• Candidates who did not register in JoSAA 2026 but are otherwise eligible
• Candidates who participated in JoSAA 2026 but were not allotted any seat
• Candidates who were allotted seats in JoSAA but their seats were cancelled due to non-payment of Seat Acceptance Fee
• Candidates who exercised the "Exit" option during JoSAA 2026
• Candidates who were allotted seats in IITs and subsequently: Had their seats cancelled after document verification, or Withdrew from their allotted seats, or Accepted admission in IITs
• Candidates who were allotted seats in the NIT+ System and: Have already secured admission by paying the required fees, or Withdrew from their allotted seats, or Had their seats cancelled after document verification, or Had their seats cancelled due to non-payment of Partial Admission Fee after successful document verification

🔁 Already Secured Seat in JoSAA (Type-6)

Candidates who have already secured a seat in the NIT+ System through JoSAA 2026 by paying the Seat Acceptance Fee and Partial Admission Fee are also eligible to participate in CSAB Special Rounds. However, such candidates will participate while retaining their currently secured seat, subject to conditions, and are required to submit a declaration to this effect at the time of registration.

Online Registration

All eligible candidates are required to complete a fresh online registration through the CSAB portal to participate in the Special Rounds. Registration done during JoSAA is not valid for CSAB Special Rounds. Candidates must ensure that they fulfill the prescribed eligibility criteria before registering.

Payment of Special Round Enrolment Fee (SREF)

After successful registration, candidates must pay the Special Round Enrolment Fee (SREF) using the available online payment modes. This fee includes the Institute Admission Fee-I (IAF-I) and a non-refundable Special Round Processing Fee (SRPF). Only those candidates who complete the payment successfully will be considered for further stages of seat allocation.

Online Choice Filling and Locking

Candidates are required to fill their fresh choices of institutes and programs after fee payment. Previously filled choices during JoSAA are not considered. A Mock Seat Allotment will be displayed on 31 Jul 2026 (based on choices saved as of 30 Jul, 17:00 hrs) to help candidates reorder their preferences.

• Candidates must save their choices during the process
• Choices must be locked before the deadline
• At least one choice must be filled to be considered for seat allotment

Once locked, choices cannot be edited after the deadline (except via an OTP-based unlock request submitted before the deadline).

Special Round – I

This stage includes:

• Seat Allotment based on JEE (Main) 2026 ranks
• Online Reporting, which involves:
  – Exercising willingness (Freeze / Float / Slide / Surrender / Withdraw / Exit)
  – Uploading required documents (if applicable)
  – Payment of IAF-II
  – Responding to queries raised during document verification

Surrender, Withdraw and Exit options are available only in this round.

Special Round – II (Final Round)

This is the final round of CSAB Special seat allocation for 2026. It includes:

• Seat Allotment
• Online Reporting:
  – Uploading documents
  – Payment of IAF-II (for fresh allottees)
  – Responding to verification queries

All allotments in this round are presumed to be accepted with the Freeze option. No further rounds are conducted after this stage.

🧠 Artificial Intelligence Programs

💻 Computer Science and Engineering Programs

📡 Electronics & Communication Engineering Programs

⚙️ Core Branches (Chemical, Mechanical, Civil and Electrical)

🔬 Remaining Programs

📌 Registration Requirements

All eligible candidates are required to complete a fresh online registration in order to participate in CSAB Special Rounds. Registration must be done through the official CSAB portal (csab.nic.in) within the prescribed schedule (28 Jul – 03 Aug 2026, 10:00 hrs).

• Fresh registration is mandatory for all candidates
• Registration done during JoSAA is not valid for CSAB Special Rounds
• Candidates must ensure that they fulfil the prescribed eligibility criteria before proceeding with registration

Failure to register within the stipulated timeline will result in the candidate not being considered for any of the CSAB Special Rounds.

🔄 Editable Details During Registration

During CSAB Special registration, certain details can be updated by candidates whose documents were not verified during JoSAA rounds. These include:

• State of Eligibility
• Nationality
• Gender
• Category (only from Beneficiary to non-beneficiary category, as permitted)

Candidates whose documents were already verified during JoSAA rounds are not allowed to freely modify these details, except through specified provisions such as category restoration (if applicable).

💰 Fee Structure (as per Official Brochure)

The SREF includes:
• Institute Admission Fee-I (IAF-I)
• ₹5,000 Special Round Processing Fee (SRPF), which is non-refundable and non-adjustable towards the institute fee

Candidates whose category was changed from OBC-NCL/GEN-EWS/SC/ST to GEN during JoSAA document verification and who have not confirmed their seat by paying PAF must additionally pay ₹15,000 along with the SREF (the SAF difference between categories).

💳 Payment Modes

The Special Round Enrolment Fee can be paid through the following modes:

• Debit Card
• Credit Card
• UPI
• Net Banking
• E-Challan
• CSC

🏦 Bank Details for Refund

At the time of payment of SREF, candidates are required to:

• Enter bank account details (Account Holder Name, Account Number, IFSC, Bank Name)
• Upload a scanned copy of a cancelled cheque or stamped front page of passbook

This bank account will be used for receiving any applicable refund from CSAB.

⚠️ Additional Rules

• Candidates who have already paid the Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) during JoSAA (Type-6, 7, 8, 9) are required to pay only the balance amount of SREF after adjustment of the previously paid fee (excluding JoSAA processing charges).

Payment of the Special Round Enrolment Fee is mandatory for participation in the counselling process. Candidates who fail to complete the payment successfully will not be considered for seat allocation in CSAB Special Rounds. Registration and SREF payment must both be completed by 03 Aug 2026, 10:00 hrs.

🔑 Key Rules

After successful payment of the Special Round Enrolment Fee, candidates are required to fill their fresh choices of institutes and academic programs through the CSAB portal. The choices filled during JoSAA are treated as null and void and will not be considered for CSAB Special Rounds.

• Candidates must fill fresh choices, as previously filled choices during JoSAA are not valid
• Candidates are required to save their choices manually during the process; the system will not auto-save unsaved choices
• A Mock Seat Allotment will be displayed on 31 Jul 2026 to help candidates review and reorder their choices before the final lock
• Candidates must lock their choices before the deadline (05 Aug 2026, 14:00 hrs)
• Candidates must fill and save at least one choice to be considered for seat allotment

⚠️ Important Points

• If candidates do not lock their choices, their last saved choices will be automatically locked upon reaching the deadline
• If no choices are saved, the candidate will not be considered for seat allotment
• Once locked, choices generally cannot be edited after the deadline for choice filling, except via a specific OTP-verified unlock request submitted through the portal before the deadline

All eligible programs of the NIT+ System will be displayed to the candidates irrespective of vacancy status, and candidates are advised to fill their choices carefully after verifying eligibility conditions for each program. Some programs may have specific eligibility requirements, and failure to satisfy such conditions may result in cancellation of the allotted seat.

Candidates who have already secured a seat in JoSAA (Type-6) and have paid the Partial Admission Fee are also required to fill fresh choices. However, their last secured JoSAA seat will automatically be treated as the last choice during seat allocation. The willingness options exercised during JoSAA will not be applicable in CSAB Special Rounds.

Candidates are advised to download and retain a printout of their locked choices, as it contains the terms and conditions agreed upon during the choice filling process.

🔑 Key Points

Seat allotment in CSAB Special Rounds is carried out through an online process and the results are published only on the official CSAB portal. Candidates can view their allotment status by logging into their account using their credentials.

• Seat allotment is published online only through the CSAB portal
• Allotment is carried out based on JEE (Main) 2026 ranks (CRL) for the available vacant seats
• No separate communication or notification is sent to candidates regarding seat allotment

⚠️ Important Instructions

• It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to regularly log in to the CSAB portal and check their allotment status
• Failure to check the allotment status or take necessary action within the stipulated time may lead to loss of the allotted seat

Candidates who have secured seats by the last (fifth) round of JoSAA 2026 and are not participating in CSAB Special Rounds may still be eligible for category upgradation in the same institute and program, where only the seat category may change without altering the allocated institute or course.

📌 Exercise Willingness

Candidates must select one of the available willingness options for the allotted seat: Freeze / Float / Slide / Surrender / Withdraw (or Exit, for unallotted candidates)

This choice determines whether the candidate accepts the seat and/or wishes to participate in subsequent rounds of seat allocation.

📌 Upload Documents

Candidates who have chosen Freeze / Float / Slide must upload the required documents through the CSAB portal.

• This step is not applicable for candidates whose documents were already verified during JoSAA rounds (1–5)
• This step is also not applicable for candidates choosing Surrender or Withdraw

All documents must be uploaded as per the prescribed requirements for verification (see Annexure-4 of the Information Brochure for the full document checklist).

📌 Pay Institute Admission Fee-II (IAF-II)

• Payment of IAF-II is mandatory for candidates opting Freeze / Float / Slide
• The fee must be paid in the round in which the seat is allotted for the first time
• Type-6 candidates (who already paid PAF in JoSAA) are not required to pay IAF-II again
• Non-payment of IAF-II will be treated as rejection of the allotted seat, and the candidate will not be considered in further rounds

📌 Respond to Queries

During document verification, if any discrepancy is found, the verifying officials may raise queries.

• Candidates must respond to such queries through the portal within the stipulated time
• Failure to respond will lead to cancellation of the allotted seat
• Candidates must regularly check their portal for updates, as no separate notification is provided

🔑 Important Rules

• Candidates must ensure that all required documents are uploaded correctly on the portal
• During the verification process, officials may raise queries or request additional information
• Candidates are required to respond to such queries within the stipulated time through their login portal
• It is the responsibility of the candidate to regularly check the portal for updates and respond accordingly

Failure to respond to queries or provide the required documents within the given timeline will lead to:
• Cancellation of the allotted seat
• Removal from further participation in subsequent rounds of CSAB Special Rounds

⚠️ Seat Confirmation & Final Admission

• After successful verification and fulfillment of all eligibility criteria, the allotted seat is provisionally confirmed
• The confirmation is subject to further verification and completion of admission formalities

🏫 Final Admission Requirement:
Final admission is granted only after:
• Physical reporting at the allotted institute
• Verification of original documents by the institute
• Payment of the remaining institute fee (if applicable)

If any discrepancy or non-compliance is found during physical verification, the institute reserves the right to cancel the allotted seat and candidature.

Candidates are not required to physically report to the allotted institute after Special Round I. Physical reporting is required only after completion of both CSAB Special Rounds (I and II), as per the schedule and instructions of the allotted institute.

📌 Requirements for Physical Reporting

Candidates are required to complete the following steps at the allotted institute:

• Report physically at the allotted institute as per the schedule
• Follow the instructions provided on the institute's official website
• Complete all admission formalities and procedures
• Pay the balance institute fee as applicable

⚠️ Important Rules

• Physical reporting is mandatory for final admission
• The allotted institute will verify original documents during reporting
• Admission is confirmed only after successful completion of all formalities

Failure to:
• Report to the institute, or
• Pay the required institute fee, or
• Complete admission procedures

will result in cancellation of the allotted seat, and no claim for admission will be entertained

Candidates are advised to regularly check the website of the allotted institute for detailed instructions regarding reporting dates, required documents, and admission procedures.

✅ Freeze

Choosing the Freeze option indicates that the candidate:

• Accepts the allotted seat
• Is satisfied with the allocated academic program and institute
• Does not wish to participate in further rounds of seat allocation

Once this option is selected, the candidate will not be considered in the subsequent round, and the allotted seat will remain assigned to the candidate. Once Freeze is selected, it cannot be changed to Float/Slide/Surrender in a later round.

🔄 Float

Choosing the Float option indicates that the candidate:

• Accepts the currently allotted seat
• Wishes to be considered for a higher preference program in any institute in the next round

If a higher preference seat is allotted in Round-II, the previously accepted seat will be automatically replaced, and the candidate will have no claim on the earlier seat.

🔄 Slide

Choosing the Slide option indicates that the candidate:

• Accepts the currently allotted seat
• Wishes to be considered for a higher preference program within the same institute in the next round

If such an upgrade is available, the earlier seat will be replaced accordingly.

❌ Surrender

Choosing the Surrender option indicates that the candidate:

• Rejects the currently allotted seat
• Wishes to participate in the next (final) round of seat allocation

In this case, the allotted seat will be cancelled, and the candidate will be considered for allotment from choices higher than the surrendered seat. This option is available only in Special Round-I and not in Round-II (the final round).

🚪 Withdraw

Choosing the Withdraw option indicates that the candidate:

• Rejects the allotted or accepted seat
• Does not wish to participate in any further rounds of seat allocation

The allotted seat will be cancelled, and the candidate will be excluded from the CSAB Special Rounds process. This option is available only in Special Round-I (the first round) and not thereafter.

❌ Exit (For Candidates Without Seat)

The Exit option is available only to candidates who:

• Have not been allotted any seat in CSAB Special Round-I
• Do not have a secured seat from JoSAA

Such candidates can choose to exit the counselling process during Special Round-I only, and will not be considered in the subsequent round.

🔁 Refund Components & Applicable Deductions

• The Special Round Enrolment Fee includes a ₹5,000 Special Round Processing Fee, which is non-refundable and non-adjustable towards the admission fee of the allotted institute

If refund is admissible, the fee paid by candidates during JoSAA 2026 (for NIT+ System) and CSAB Special Rounds 2026 (excluding the processing fee) will be refunded after the following deductions, as applicable:

• ₹5,000 – JoSAA Processing Fee (deducted upon acceptance of seat through payment of Seat Acceptance Fee in JoSAA rounds)
• ₹2,000 – Withdrawal Fee (if the candidate withdraws after paying Seat Acceptance Fee or fails to pay Partial Admission Fee after document verification in JoSAA)
• Additional ₹2,000 – Applicable in cases where: The candidate is allotted a seat in Special Round I or II but does not complete online reporting, or Document verification is unsuccessful, or The candidate exercises the Withdraw option, or The candidate exercises the Surrender option and is not allotted any seat in the subsequent round

❌ No Refund Cases

No refund will be provided by CSAB in the following cases:

• If the candidate does not complete online reporting in Special Round-II (the final round)
• If the candidate is allotted a seat in the final round but fails to pay IAF-II
• If the seat is cancelled due to: Ineligibility, Invalid documents, or Failure to respond to queries during document verification in Round-II
• If the candidate fails to join the allotted institute after completion of CSAB Special Round-II

In such cases, the deposited fees (after deducting applicable processing charges of ₹5,000 each for JoSAA and CSAB Special Rounds) are transferred to the allotted institute, and any further refund, if applicable, will be governed by the rules of the respective participating institute.

📌 Conditions for Final Admission

Final admission is confirmed only after the candidate successfully completes the following:

• Online document verification conducted during the counselling process
• Physical verification of original documents at the allotted institute
• Fulfillment of all eligibility criteria prescribed for the allotted institute and academic program
• Completion of all admission formalities, including payment of the remaining institute fee

⚠️ Important Rules & Cancellation

• Even if documents are verified during online counselling, the allotted institute will re-verify all documents at the time of physical reporting
• The institute has the authority to cancel the allotted seat if any discrepancy or non-compliance with eligibility criteria is found
• Admission is confirmed only after successful verification and approval by the allotted institute

❗ Admission will be cancelled in the following cases:
• Submission of invalid, incorrect, or fraudulent documents or information
• Failure to meet the prescribed eligibility criteria
• Non-compliance with verification or admission requirements at any stage

In such cases, the allotted seat and candidature of the candidate will be cancelled, and further participation in the admission process may not be permitted.

Candidates are advised to ensure that all documents submitted are valid and accurate and that they meet all eligibility conditions to avoid cancellation of admission at any stage of the process.