TNEA Choice Filling 2026: Dates (OUT), Check Link, How to Fill Choices

Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions 2026 ( TNEA )

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TNEA 2026 Counselling for Government (7.5%) Special Reservation Categories (Online)

13 Jul '26 - 14 Jul '26

Mamona Majumder
Updated on Jul 1, 2026 12:14 IST

By Mamona Majumder, Deputy Manager

TNEA Choice Filling 2026: DoTE conducts the TNEA 2026 counselling choice filling, and round 1 choice filling will start on July 20. There are three TNEA 2026 counselling rounds, and in each round, candidates are able to fill out their choices. In the TNEA choice filling process, candidates have to fill their choices of courses and colleges in order of preference. Based on the choices filled, the category and rank of the candidates, the TNEA seat allotment 2026 is carried out.  Candidates listed in the TNEA rank list 2026 can log in to the official TNEA website to participate in this process. In this article, we will explain everything about the TNEA 2026 counselling choice filling process, including steps to follow, key points to remember, common mistakes to avoid, and what happens after choice filling.

 

Table of contents
  • What is TNEA Choice Filling?
  • TNEA 2026 Dates & Schedule
  • TNEA 2026 Counselling Choice Filling Links
  • How to Complete TNEA 2026 Choice Filling?
  • Mistakes to Avoid in TNEA Choice Filling 2026
  • Things to Consider while Filling Choices in TNEA Counselling 2026
  • What After TNEA Choice Filling 2026?
  • TNEA Choice Filling FAQs
View More
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What is TNEA Choice Filling?

TNEA choice filling process allows candidates to fill choice of their preferred college and course as per their TNEA rank and category. Under login, candidates must provide choices of colleges and courses in order of preference as the seats will be allotted based on preference order. The most preferred choice must be selected at the top of the list and so on

Key Points of TNEA Choice Filling:

  • TNEA choice filling can be done online only on official website after TNEA registration.
  • Candidates are recommeneded to fill in as many choices as possible to increase your chances of getting a seat based on their rank.
  • If a candidate fails to lock choice before choice filling deadline, then their choices will be automatically locked.

TNEA 2026 Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of TNEA 2026 exam

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates
13 Jul ' 26 - 14 Jul ' 26

TNEA 2026 Counselling for Government (7.5%) Special Reservation Categories (Online)

15 Jul ' 26 - 18 Jul ' 26

TNEA 2026 Counselling for General Special Reservation Categories (Online)

20 Jul ' 26 - 22 Jul ' 26

TNEA 2026 General Counselling Round 1: CHOICE FILLING

24 Jul ' 26

TNEA 2026 General Counselling Round 1: RELEASE OF TENTATIVE ALLOTMENT

24 Jul ' 26 - 25 Jul ' 26

TNEA 2026 General Counselling Round 1: TENTATIVE ALLOTMENT CONFIRMATION

26 Jul ' 26

TNEA 2026 General Counselling Round 1: RELEASE OF PROVISIONA L ALLOTMENT FOR UPWARD OPTED CANDIDATES

26 Jul ' 26

TNEA 2026 General Counselling Round 1: RELEASE OF PROVISIONAL ALLOTMENT FOR ACCEPT & JOIN CANDIDATES AND TENTATIVE ALLOTMENT FOR ACCEPT & UPWARD CANDIDATES

DatesPast Exam Dates
01 Jul ' 26

TNEA 2026 Publication of Rank list

01 Jul ' 26 - 06 Jul ' 26

TNEA 2026 Grievances Redressal

10 Jun ' 26

TNEA 2026 Assigning Random Number

TNEA Logo

TNEA 2026 Counselling Choice Filling Links

Check the TNEA 2026 choice filling link below:

Category Choice filling link
Government School Special reservation

Will be available here

General Special Reservation

Will be available here

General  Counselling Will be available here
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Where can I fill the choices for TNEA counselling?
A: 

A candidate can fill the choices only in the TNEA web portal hosted on the official website of TNEA - tneaonline.org. Candidates have to use their UserID and Password to login into the counselling portal of TNEA to fill the choices.

Q:   How to fill choices in TNEA counselling?
A: 

Check below the steps on how to fill choices in TNEA 2026 counselling: Add/Remove Choices: Candidates have to choose carefully their preferences for getting a seat in a branch in an institution. Based on the availability of seats, rank, and community, candidates will be allotted. Candidates must prepare a list of choices in the order of preference to enter the choices in the order preference correctly and quickly. Choice Entry and Locking of Choices will be available for 3 days, 3rd day until 5.00 pm. All the above processes can be completed from anywhere, from your home if you have a facility or you can avail of the facility of TFC. Choice Entry and Locking of Choices (3 days, 3rd day until 5.00 pm. Adding choices - On the top Navigation Bar, candidates will SEE the link for Add Choices. Using this, candidates can create a list of branches and colleges. This choice list or preference list should finally be in the order of candidate preference. By clicking, add choices, the following screen will appear on the screen. Choice by District Entering the name of the District in the list box field Choice by Branch Name Entering the name of the Branch Name in the text box field Choice by College Code Entering the name of the College Code in the text box field Choice by College Name Entering the name of the College Name in the text box field.

Q:   How many choices can I fill in TNEA counselling? Is there any limitation in the number of choices that I can fill?
A: 

Candidates can choose as many options as they feel appropriate in the TNEA choice filling process. There is no limit on the number of choices they can fill.

TNEA Logo

How to Complete TNEA 2026 Choice Filling?

Visit the Official Website: Go to official TNEA website and check choice filling link. Then login with your registered email ID and password.

Go to Choice Filling Section: After logging in, candidates have to click choice entry link. Check list of courses and colleges.

Filter and Search Preferences: Candidates can filter available choices based on:

  • District
  • College type
  • Branch

Add Colleges and Courses to Your List: Now add colleges and courses to list as per preference. You can keep adding as many choices as you think you need.

Arrange choices: After adding choices, arrange choices. Keep most preferred college at top and prepare list in same manner.

Save and Lock Your Choices: Save and lock choices filled.

Take a Printout: Once done, print list for all future references.

TNEA Logo

Mistakes to Avoid in TNEA Choice Filling 2026

Candidates should not commit following mistakes while filling choices in TNEA counselling:

Not filling as many choices as possible: Many candidates only add 5 to 10 choices and thus they fail to get any seat. Add atleast 50 to 100 choices to have a good chance of getting a seat.

Not doing proper research: It is recommeneded to fill choices based on previous year cutoffs and trends. Just don't blindliy go on filling choices. Research which college was allotted last year in your TNEA rank range and community to make an informed decision.

Not arranging choices as per preference: Always arrange choice list based on your preference. Put most preferred college and course towards top of list.

Not Locking Choices: Do keep saving choices at every stage to avoid loss of data and at end of porcess, do not forget to lock choices.

Not Considering Category and Reservations: Do check if a college has seats under your category and fill in choices accordingly. This highly increases your chances of getting a good seat.

TNEA Logo

Things to Consider while Filling Choices in TNEA Counselling 2026

  1. Check colleges available in your community wise rank, and make a decision based on previous year trends
  2. Also consider other important things like location of college, hostel facilities, commute facilities, etc.
  3. Check out placement record for each course and select course with better placement record.
  4. Compare fee structure and also check their Return on Investment (ROI).
  5. Arrange choices based on your interest. Do make interest in a particular subject your priority while selecting colleges in TNEA choice filling process.
  6. Research thoroughly about previous year cutoffs and trends to make a good decision and choice list.
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What After TNEA Choice Filling 2026?

After the the TNEA 2026 choice filling process, DoTE publishes the TNEA 2026 seat allotment result under the respective logins of the candidates on the official website of TNEA 2026. Candidates have to login with their registered email ID and password to check the allotment result. The candidates allotted seats have to confirm the allotment or they can practice other options available regarding the seats. The decision of the candidates against the allotted seats must be practised by the candidates before the last date.

Read More:

TNEA Logo

TNEA Choice Filling FAQs

Check below the most frequently asked questions on TNEA choice filling process:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the TNEA supplementary counselling?
A: 
The Tamil Nadu engineering admission supplementary counselling is conducted by TNEA after normal counseling. TNEA Supplementary Counseling process is done for those students who failed their 12th grade. This is done later so that these students can pass and attend admission counselling again. However, anyone can participate in this counselling. TNEA-qualified students can attend this counselling even after getting a college allocation and making a fee payment if they want to change colleges. This supplementary counselling process is done after the 4th round of TNEA counseling. Also, those students who had joined other courses, such as arts, but now want to change to engineering can attend this counselling to get into an engineering college. The procedure is similar to regular TNEA counseling, and you just have to register again after the date announcement.
Q:   What are the credentials required for TNEA Login?
A: 

Candidates have to enter their email address and password on the TNEA login window. The Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE) Tamil Nadu releases TNEA application form on the official website. To apply for TNEA admissions, candidates have to pass their qualifying examination I. e. 10+2 or intermediate and meet the eligibility requirements set by the authority. Candidates who have successfully registered for admission will be allotted a random number. To participate in the TNEA 2025 counselling process, candidates have to submit the TNEA application form 2025 within the prescribed timelines and pay the required fees.

Q:   When will the TNEA choice filling process start?
A: 

The TNEA choice filling dates will be announced on the official website of TNEA, tneaonline.org. candidates will be able to fill in their choices of colleges and courses as per their TNEA 2026 rank.

Q:   What is the TNEA application fee?
A: 

The application fee for TNEA is INR 500 for the general candidates and INR 250 for SC /SCA /ST category belonging to Tamil Nadu.

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TNEA Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
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Answered a week ago

Students looking for BTech admissions at KCT, Coimbatore without TNEA counselling can go through with management quota admissions. Any student can apply with management quota, however the fee charges can be higher than the government quota admissions. 

Students can follow these simple steps to apply

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Manisha Pandey

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a week ago

TNEA counselling session generally held in three batches on the basis of rank list released by TNEA. The dates of TNEA counselling session has not been announced yet. However, students can refer these tentative dates for preparation:

  • Round 1 counselling session - July 20 to 24, 2026
  • Round 2 counselli

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Manisha Pandey

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

The WBJEE cutoff for admission to BTech at Brainware University ranged between 45840 - 98301 in 2025. 

CSE Cyber Security was the most competitive specialisation with a last round closing rank of 45840 for the General AI category. Tabulated below is the BTech CSE cutoff:

Course2025
B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning)89608
B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering (Data Science)79098
B.Tech. in Computer Science Engineering98301
B.Tech in CSE (Cyber Security)45840
B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (Artificial Intelligence and Robotics)86736

84134530
Tanu Rao

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

 Shiv Nadar University BTech cutoff 2025 ranged from 1109 to 15608 for the OBC AI category. As per this range, BTech CSE was the most competitive course for admission, with the cutoff being 1109

On the other hand,  BTech in Civil Engineering turned out to be the least sought-after course, with the

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Shiv Nadar University CSE cutoff 2026 was 513 for the General AI category. So, General AI category candidates need to attain a rank of at least 513 or below to gain admission to this specialisation. 

Students can check the table below to know the cutoff required by the other categories. The Shiv Nada

...Read more

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Shiv Nadar University TNEA cutoff 2025 ranged from 513 to 9832 in the last round for the General AI category. The cutoff was out for different categories and engineering courses. 

Students can refer to the table below to know the last round cutoff range for different AI categories. 

CategoryShiv Nadar University TNEA cutoff 2025
General513 - 9832
OBC1109 - 15608
SC8716 - 49697
ST17144 - 24361

 

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, you cannot get admission at CECRI Karaikudi with the rank of 2526. But other colleges might accept your rank. 

For eg, the College of Engineering Guindy accepts a rank up to 3451 for the BTech in Chemical Engineering programme. Similarly,  Shiv Nadar University also accepts a rank up to 9832 for

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

The TNEA rank needed for admission at this college for the B.Tech. in Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering programme depends on your category. 

For the General AI category, the highest rank acceptable according to the CECRI Karaikudi cutoff 2025 was 2524. Students can see the table below to know

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

CECRI Karaikudi TNEA cutoff 2025 was 2524 for the General AI category in the last round. The cutoff was released for different All India categories for all rounds. 

The General AI category needs to attain a rank of at least 2524  to be considered eligible for admission to the BTech Chemical and Elect

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Neerja Rohatgi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Anna University TNEA Cutoff 2025 for CSE varied between 28 and 239138 for the General AI category students in the last round. This specialisation had the lowest cutoff, indicating its popularity in comparison to other courses.

Among the OBC category students, the final round closing ranks varied betw

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84134530
Tanu Rao

Contributor-Level 10

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