What is AI/OS & HS Quota in JoSAA 2026: Know Definition with Examples

What is the AI and HS quota in JoSAA, and how does it affect the seat allotment process? Let's discuss in detail below.

What is AI/OS & HS Quota in JoSAA 2026: Know Definition with Examples

JoSAA 2026 seats and quotas explained: During the JoSAA seat allotment process, the candidates will be allotted seats based on their JEE Mains/Advanced ranks, and the seat quota will also come into play here. HS is the home state quota in JoSAA counselling and is only applicable for seat allotment to the NITs and GFTIs. While AI is the All India quota and OS is the Other State quota, which applies to seats across all JoSAA participating colleges. In fact, the AI and OS quotas have the same meaning. The differentiating quota is the HS quota.

Let's understand these quotas one by one with examples. Students should be aware of these quotas to make informed decisions during JoSAA choice filling. A candidate might not get a seat in an NIT under the AI/OS quota, but they can get a seat under the HS quota. Check all details below.

AI (All India) Quota in JoSAA Counselling 2026

AI (All India) Quota means seats that are open to candidates from any state or union territory in India.

• Any eligible candidate can compete for these seats regardless of their state of residence.
• All seats in IITs are allotted through an all-India merit system.
• All IIITs and GFTIs also have AI quota seats.

Example

Suppose a student from Uttar Pradesh wants admission to an NIT in Karnataka. If the seat belongs to the AI quota, the student will be considered for it during the JoSAA 2026 seat allotment. The admission will depend on the candidate's JEE Main rank and category-wise cutoff.

HS (Home State) Quota in JoSAA 2026

HS (Home State) Quota refers to seats reserved for candidates whose qualifying examination (Class 12 or equivalent) was passed from the same state where the institute is located. The candidates who submit a state of eligibility proof can compete for the HS quota seats.

• Applicable mainly in NITs and GFTIs.
• Usually, around 50% of seats in NITs are reserved for Home State candidates.
• Candidates compete only with students eligible for the same Home State quota.

Example

• Consider an NIT located in Rajasthan - Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur.
• A candidate who passed Class 12 from Rajasthan can claim the HS quota, given that he has submitted the document proof for the state of eligibility with all documents needed for JoSAA counselling.
• The candidate will compete with other Rajasthan students for HS seats.

How is Home State Determined?

For JoSAA counselling, the Home State is generally determined by the state from which the candidate passed Class 12 (or equivalent qualifying examination), not necessarily by domicile or place of residence.

Example

• Lives in Delhi but completed Class 12 from Haryana -> Home State = Haryana.
• Lives in Bihar but completed Class 12 from West Bengal -> Home State = West Bengal.
• Live in Odisha and completed class 12 from Odisha -> Home State = Odisha.

What is the OS (Other State) Quota in JoSAA Counselling?

OS (Other State) Quota refers to seats available for candidates who are not eligible for the Home State quota of that institute.

• Applicable mainly in NITs.
• Candidates from all other states compete for these seats.
• Generally, around 50% of seats are allocated under the OS quota in NITs.

Example

• Considering the same college, Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur.
• A student who passed Class 12 from Maharashtra is not eligible for the MNIT Jaipur HS quota seat.
• This candidate will compete under the OS quota seats of the Institute

HS and OS Quota: Difference Explained with Example

Imagine there are 100 seats in a branch of Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) Surat.

Quota Seats:

• Home State (HS) - 50
• Other State (OS) 50

Candidate A

• Passed Class 12 from Gujarat.
• Eligible for HS quota seats.

Candidate B

• Passed Class 12 from Delhi.
• Eligible for OS quota seats.

Both candidates may have the same JEE Main rank, but their admission chances can differ because HS and OS cutoffs are usually different.

Note that: A candidate eligible for an HS quota seat is also eligible for an OS quota seat. However, a candidate eligible for the OS quota seat can never be eligible for the HS quota.

Which Institutes Use AI, HS and OS Quotas in JoSAA?

Check below in which Participating JoSAA institutes the quotas are applicable: