JoSAA 2026 FAQs (OUT): Check Most Frequently Asked Questions on Registrations, Choice Filling & More

Check the list of questions that candidates participating in JoSAA counselling usually ask. These questions have been gathered in one place so that students looking for similar questions about counselling can get answers in one place in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.

JoSAA 2026 Frequently Asked Questions

JoSAA 2026 Counselling FAQs: If you have any doubts about the JoSAA counselling process, chances are we have covered your question below. Check the most frequently asked questions regarding JoSAA counselling registration, choice filling, document verification, seat allotment, eligibility, and more.

JoSAA 2026 General FAQs

Q: Which institutes participate in JoSAA 2026?

A: The participating institutes are the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Schools of Planning and Architecture, and a few other technical institutes funded fully or partially by the Central or State governments.

Q: What is NIT+ system?

A: NIT+ system is:

• 31 NITs (National Institutes of Technology)
• IIEST Shibpur (Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology)
• 26 IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology)
• 3 SPAs (Schools of Planning and Architecture)
• 33 GFTIs (Other-Government Funded Technical Institutes)

Q: What is JoSAA 2026?

A: JoSAA stands for Joint Seat Allocation Authority 2026. It is responsible for the joint seat allocation process for academic programs offered by the IITs, IISc, NITs, IIEST, IIITs, and other GFTIs for the academic year 2026-27. JoSAA 2026 consists of representatives from the Joint Admission Board (JAB) 2026 and the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) 2026.

Q: What examinations are the basis for admission through JoSAA 2026?

A: Admission to IITs and IISc is based on JEE Advanced 2026. Admission to NITs, IIEST, IIITs, and Other-GFTIs (referred to as the NIT+ system) is based on JEE Main 2026 B.E. / B. Tech. Paper, JEE Main 2026 B.Arch. / B. Plan. Paper. Qualifying in these examinations does not guarantee admission; candidates must meet all additional eligibility requirements of the institute/program and required rank.

JoSAA 2026 FAQs on Eligibility

Check the JoSAA counselling frequently asked questions below:

Q: Who is eligible to participate in JoSAA 2026?

A: A candidate who satisfies one or more of the following criteria is eligible for participation in JoSAA:

• Candidates qualified in JEE (Advanced) 2026 for IITs and IISc.
• Candidates with a rank in JEE (Main) 2026 for NIT+ system.
• Must meet Class XII or equivalent performance criteria

Read: JoSAA Eligibility Criteria 2026 (OUT): Sate of Eligibility Proof, Check IIT and NIT+ System Admission Criteria

FAQs on JoSAA Choice Filling 2026

Q:  I locked my choices. But now I would like to make further changes to my choice list. Is it allowed? If yes, how can I exercise the option?

A: If a candidate wishes to edit their choices after locking but before the JoSAA 2026 choice filling deadline, they can do so by first submitting a request to unlock in the online JoSAA portal. An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number and email address, which can be used to validate the unlock request. Once validated, the candidate’s choices will be unlocked for editing. Please refer to Clause 40 for the detailed procedure to unlock the choices.

Q: The choice filling deadline is already over. Am I allowed to make any changes to my choice list after the deadline?

A: NO. You will not be allowed to edit your choice list after the deadline for choice filling.

Q: What if my Class 12 results change after choice locking?

A: If a candidate becomes ineligible due to revised Class XII results not meeting the performance requirement, any offered/confirmed seat will be cancelled at online reporting/document verification or later.

If a candidate becomes eligible due to revised results, they must contact the organising institute (IIT Roorkee for JEE Advanced) by sending an email to josaa@iitr.ac.in with the new certificate before the end of the fourth round. They will be considered for seat allocation only in subsequent rounds (if any), provided they had registered and filled choices before the deadline.

JoSAA FAQs 2026 on Seat Allotment

Q: How are candidates categorised for JoSAA 2026 seat allocation?

A: Qualified candidates are categorised based on nationality and the presence or absence of disability in JoSAA seat allotment. Category tags assigned include GEN, GEN-PwD, GEN-EWS, GEN-EWS-PwD, OBC-NCL, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC, SC-PwD, ST, and ST-PwD.

A foreign tag is assigned to candidates who are not Indian nationals and OCI/PIO (F) candidates. OCI/PIO (I) candidates are assigned the GEN category tag with certain restrictions. Candidates with the category tag “Foreign” are eligible for supernumerary seats in IITs/IISc.

For NIT+ system institutes, seats are further distributed into Home State quota and Other States quota (or All India and Home State, or only All India quota).

Q: What rank lists are used for seat allocation in JoSAA?

A: Seat allocation in IITs and IISc is based on JEE Advanced 2026 rank, and in NIT+ system, it is based on JEE Main 2026 rank. Various rank lists are used, including the Common Rank List (CRL), GEN-EWS rank list, OBC-NCL rank list, SC rank list, ST rank list, and their PwD counterparts (e.g., CRL-PwD, GEN-EWS-PwD, etc.). For IITs/IISc, there are also specific rank lists for admission to preparatory courses for certain categories.

Q: How is a seat allocated to a candidate in JoSAA?

A: Seats are given out by a computer program following these main rules:

1. Rank: Higher ranks get priority.
2. Preferences: Your top choices are checked first.
3. Category: Seats depend on your caste or quota.
4. Availability: Leftover seats are given out until filled.

Q: What is the role of JoSAA mock seat allocation?

A: There are two mock seat allocations in JoSAA. It would help candidates to evaluate likely allotments based on the current preferences of registered candidates.

Q: What happens if multiple candidates have the same rank?

A: If there are fewer seats available under a category in a program than the number of candidates with the same category-wise rank seeking admission, all those candidates will be offered seats by creating the requisite number of additional seats.

Q: What is the Seat Acceptance Fee?

A: The Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) is paid to secure the seat that has been provisionally allotted to a candidate during a round of JoSAA 2026. Without paying this fee by the stipulated deadline specified in the JoSAA 2026 information brochure, the allotted seat will be cancelled, and the candidate will not be able to participate in subsequent rounds, if any.

Q: What do 'Freeze', 'Float', and 'Slide' options mean?

• Freeze: You accept the seat and leave the counselling process. You cannot change your college or course.
• Float: You accept the seat but will move to a higher-preference choice at any college if available.
• Slide: You accept the seat but will move to a higher-preference choice only within the same college.

Online Reporting and Document Verification Related Questions

Q: What is Online Reporting?

A: Online Reporting involves completing several steps after a seat is allocated in a round. These steps include accepting the seat and opting for Freeze/Float/Slide, uploading the required documents for JoSAA, remitting the seat acceptance fee, and responding to any queries raised by the verifying officers within the stipulated time.

Q: What happens if I fail to complete the Online Reporting steps?

A: Failing to complete ALL steps of "Online Reporting" within the specified timeline of the round in which the seat is allocated will lead to the cancellation of the allocated seat, and the candidate will NOT be able to participate in subsequent JoSAA rounds.

Q: What documents are required for online reporting/registration for admission to NIT+ System?

A: Check list of documents below:

1. Class X Mark Sheet/Certificate or Aadhaar Card or Birth Certificate (for Date of Birth)
2. Class XII Mark Sheet and Certificate (Qualifying Examination)
3. JEE Main 2026 admit card
4. Certificate of category (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/GEN-EWS), if applicable, as per Government of India format, available on the JoSAA website, issued by the competent authority.
5. Original Certificate for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD), if applicable, issued by the competent authority.
6. Original Certificate for persons having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing, if applicable
7. Crossed Bank Cheque copy / Image of Passbook with bank account details
8. Medical Certificate
9. OCI certificate/ PIO card, if applicable
10. Passport/Citizenship certificate, if applicable

Q: What documents are required for online reporting/registration for admission to IIT admissions?

A: Check the list of documents below:

1. Class X Mark Sheet/Certificate or Aadhaar Card or Birth Certificate (for date of birth)
2. Class XII Mark Sheet (Qualifying Examination)
3. Certificate of category (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/GEN-EWS), if applicable
4. Original Certificate for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), if applicable
5. Original Certificate for persons having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing, if applicable 
6. Crossed Bank Cheque copy / Image of Passbook with bank account details
7. Medical Certificate
8. OCI certificate /PIO card, if applicable
9. Passport / Citizenship certificate, if applicable

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