DASA UG Counselling 2026 - Dates, Fees, Eligibility

Quick Summary 

•        DASA UG is the Direct Admission of Students Abroad scheme for admission to supernumerary seats in NITs, IIEST, IIITs and other GFTIs using JEE (Main) rank.

•        Seat categories include DASA (Non-SAARC), DASA (SAARC) and DASA-CIWG. CIWG is for NRI candidates whose parent works in Gulf countries.

•        In the latest official brochure, candidates pay DEF (DASA Enrolment Fee) which includes a non-refundable registration fee and 1st semester tuition fee.

•        The schedule and counselling activities are published on the official portals. Keep strict watch on registration, document upload, choice locking and reporting deadlines.

What is DASA UG Counselling?

DASA UG (Direct Admission of Students Abroad) is a Ministry of Education, Government of India scheme for allocating supernumerary undergraduate seats in the NIT+ system (NITs, IIEST, IIITs and other GFTIs, plus a few other participating institutes) to eligible Foreign Nationals, OCI, PIO and NRI candidates. As per the latest official brochure cycle, admissions are done using JEE (Main) ranks (BTech, BArch and BPlan papers as applicable).

Official Portals to Track DASA 2026

•        CSAB portal section for DASA: https://csab.nic.in (DASA and CSAB-Special area)

•        DASA portal: https://dasanit.org (usually shows the current cycle)

DASA UG 2026 Eligibility 

Always verify eligibility in the official DASA 2026 brochure. Based on the latest official DASA brochure cycle (DASA 2025):

1.      1) Nationality Eligibility

Foreign Nationals, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Non-Resident Indians (NRI) are eligible under the scheme (as per the brochure).

2.      2) Age Requirement

Candidates born on or after October 01, 2000 were eligible in the latest brochure cycle. The year and date can change, so confirm the 2026 cut-off in the DASA 2026 brochure.

3.      3) Academic Eligibility + JEE (Main)

You typically need a valid JEE (Main) rank of the relevant year: Paper-1 for B.E./B.Tech., Paper-2 for B.Arch., and B.Plan paper as applicable. In addition, you must meet qualifying examination subject rules for the course.

4.      4) Minimum Marks in Class XII (or Equivalent)

In the latest brochure cycle, the minimum requirement is 75% aggregate (or 7.5 CGPA out of 10) in the qualifying exam for BTech, BArch and BPlan, along with subject requirements (for example, Maths and Physics plus one of Chemistry/Biotech/CS/Biology for BTech).

5.      5) Residential Requirement (for Indian Nationals applying under DASA)

In the latest brochure cycle, Indian nationals needed at least two years of education (including 11th and 12th or equivalent) in a foreign country during the last 8 years, and must pass the qualifying examination from abroad. Confirm the 2026 wording in the brochure.

Seat Categories and CIWG Quota

DASA seats are supernumerary. In the latest brochure cycle, up to 15% supernumerary seats (program-wise) are allocated through DASA. Within DASA, a CIWG quota is available for eligible NRI candidates.

•        5% seats (within the DASA supernumerary quota) are reserved for Children of Indian Workers in Gulf (CIWG).

•        The Gulf countries listed under CIWG are: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia.

•        If CIWG seats remain vacant, they can be reverted to non-CIWG seats during Round III (as per the brochure).

•        To claim CIWG benefit, either parent must be working or have worked in a Gulf country up to any date of the relevant year mentioned in the brochure.

DASA UG Fees 2026 (DEF) - Verified Fee Table from Latest Official Brochure

DASA uses DEF (DASA Enrolment Fee) which includes the non-refundable registration fee and tuition fee of the 1st semester. Below is the verified fee table from the latest official brochure cycle. Re-check amounts when DASA 2026 brochure is released.

Notes (latest brochure cycle): Registration fee of US$ 300 is non-refundable. Balance tuition fee and other institute fees (hostel, mess, etc.) are paid to the admitting institute.

Refund Rules 

Based on the latest official brochure cycle:

•        Full tuition fee refund: if you choose Exit, if you are not allotted any seat in any round, if candidature is cancelled during document verification, or if you did not fill any choices.

•        50% tuition fee refund: if you are allotted but do not complete online reporting, or you choose Withdraw in any round.

•        No tuition fee refund: if you do not physically report at the admitting institute, or fail to produce valid original eligibility documents at the institute.

DASA UG 2026 Dates 

The DASA 2026 schedule will be published on the official portals. Since it is not published yet (as of 01 March 2026), use the latest official CSAB schedule for DASA 2025 as a reference timeline.

Important: DASA 2026 may not match these dates. Treat this as a planning reference only, and replace with official 2026 schedule as soon as it is released.

DASA UG 2026 Counselling Process

 Step 1: Register on the DASA and CSAB-Special seat allocation portal

Register during the official window using the details required on the portal. Create your login, verify email and complete basic profile.

Step 2: Pay DEF (DASA Enrolment Fee)

Pay DEF in one transaction using online modes. If your payment is not successful, use the payment-issue resolution window if provided.

Step 3: Upload documents for verification

Upload all required documents in the correct format and ensure the scans are clear. In the latest cycle, you can fill choices only after successful document verification.

Step 4: Document verification and query response

If the verifying officer raises a query, respond within the deadline. Missing this step is one of the top reasons for rejection.

 Step 5: Choice filling and locking

Fill choices in your real preference order. Lock choices before the deadline. If you do not lock, the system may auto-lock the last saved choices (as per schedule rules).

Step 6: Check mock allotment (if published)

Mock allotment helps you understand the effect of your choice order. Use it to reorder choices if allowed before locking deadline.

Step 7: Seat allotment rounds (Round I, II, III)

Seat allotment results are announced round-wise. After each allotment, you must take the required action within the timeline.

Step 8: Willingness options and confirmation

Candidates can usually choose options like Freeze, Slide, Float, Withdraw, Surrender or Exit (as per schedule). Choose carefully, because wrong option selection can end your chances.

 Step 9: Physical reporting at the allotted institute

After confirming the seat, report at the institute with originals for verification and pay balance fees as per institute rules.

Also Check:

Comedk Counselling Guide

kcet Counselling Guide

Documents Required for DASA UG 

Keep these ready before registration:

•        Valid passport (for foreign nationals) and nationality proof as applicable

•        OCI/PIO card (if applying under OCI/PIO), and supporting proof if needed

•        Proof of NRI status of parent (for NRI candidates)

•        JEE (Main) scorecard and rank details of the relevant year

•        Class X certificate (DOB proof)

•        Class XII (or equivalent) marks card and pass certificate

•        Proof of studies abroad (for Indian nationals applying under DASA rules)

•        CIWG proof: parent employment proof in Gulf country (if applying for CIWG), plus supporting documents

•        Medical certificate as per the prescribed format (often required at reporting)

Choice Filling Strategy 

•        Put your true priority first: branch plus institute combination, not just institute name.

•        Add enough safe choices. Many candidates add only top branches and miss allotment.

•        Use mock allotment to re-check your choice order if the system allows edits.

•        Do not ignore special eligibility restrictions of institutes and programs. If you are ineligible, the seat can be cancelled later.

•        If you are CIWG eligible, decide early if you want the double-tag option (CIWG plus Non-SAARC consideration).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

•        Paying DEF late or failing payment without using the payment-issue window.

•        Uploading unclear documents and not responding to verification queries.

•        Not locking choices before the deadline.

•        Selecting a willingness option without understanding its effect.

•        Not carrying originals for physical reporting or failing eligibility proof at institute.

FAQs - DASA UG Counselling 2026

Q. Is DASA UG admission based on JEE (Main) rank?

A. Yes. In the latest official brochure cycle, admissions were based on JEE (Main) ranks for BTech, BArch and BPlan as applicable. Confirm the 2026 brochure for any change.

Q. What is DEF in DASA?

A. DEF is the DASA Enrolment Fee. In the latest brochure cycle, DEF included a non-refundable registration fee (US$ 300) plus 1st semester tuition fee as per your category tag.

Q. What is CIWG and who can apply?

A. CIWG is Children of Indian Workers in Gulf. Eligible NRI candidates can claim it if either parent works or has worked in a Gulf country as per brochure rules and can provide valid documents.

Q. Do CIWG seats remain reserved till the end?

A. In the latest brochure cycle, vacant CIWG seats could be reverted to non-CIWG seats in Round III.

Q. Can I apply for both DASA and CSAB Special?

A. Yes, depending on eligibility. Read the official combined instructions on the portal and ensure you follow the correct steps for each counselling stream.