JoSAA Counselling 2026 Starts June 2: Complete Schedule, Seat Allotment Process & Required Documents

JoSAA Counselling 2026 Schedule: For lakhs of engineering aspirants across India, the release of the JoSAA Counselling 2026 schedule marks the beginning of the most important phase of the admission process. Candidates who have qualified in JEE Main 2026 and JEE Advanced 2026 will now compete for seats in IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST, and other Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA).

According to the official schedule, registration and choice filling will begin on June 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Candidates are advised to understand the counselling process thoroughly and keep all required documents ready to avoid last-minute issues.

Related Article: JEE Advanced 2026 Result: The Wait Is Almost Over, But For Lakhs of Students, Tonight May Feel Longer Than Ever

JoSAA 2026 Important Dates

The counselling process officially starts on June 2 with registration and choice filling.

Key Dates

• Registration & Choice Filling Starts: June 2, 2026 (5:00 PM)
• Mock Seat Allotment 1: June 8, 2026
• Mock Seat Allotment 2: June 10, 2026
• Last Date for Choice Filling & Locking: June 11, 2026
• Round 1 Seat Allotment Result: June 13, 2026

The mock allotment rounds allow students to estimate which colleges and branches they may receive based on their current choices. Therefore, candidates should avoid locking their choices too early and use the mock allotment results to make necessary adjustments.

Major Change in JoSAA 2026

One of the biggest changes this year concerns IIT admissions.

In previous years, IIT seat allocation continued up to Round 6. However, JoSAA 2026 will conduct only five rounds for IIT admissions. This means Round 5 will be the final seat allotment round for IITs.

Candidates aspiring for IIT admission should pay close attention to withdrawal and seat acceptance decisions because there will be no sixth round for IIT seat upgrades.

Understanding the Seat Allotment Process

JoSAA allocates seats based on several factors:

• JEE Main or JEE Advanced rank
• Category and reservation rules
• Seat availability
• Order of choices filled by the candidate

Once a seat is allotted, candidates must complete online reporting, upload documents, and pay the Seat Acceptance Fee within the specified deadline.

Failure to complete these steps on time can lead to the cancellation of the allotted seat.

How to Do JoSAA 2026 Counselling Online: Step-by-Step Guide

If you have qualified in JEE Main 2026 or JEE Advanced 2026, follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Visit the Official JoSAA Website

Go to the official JoSAA portal: JoSAA Official Website

Step 2: Login

• Click on “JoSAA Counselling Registration”
• Enter:
  • JEE Main 2026 Application Number (or JEE Advanced credentials if applicable)
  • Password
  • Security Pin

Step 3: Verify Personal Details

After login:

• Check your name, category, gender, state of eligibility, and rank.
• Ensure all information is correct.

Step 4: Fill College and Branch Choices

• Select IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs based on your rank.
• Arrange choices in your preferred order.
• You can add, delete, and reorder choices before the deadline.

Step 5: Check Mock Allotment Results

• Mock Round 1: 8 June 2026
• Mock Round 2: 10 June 2026

Use these results to improve your choice order.

Step 6: Lock Your Choices

• Final deadline: 11 June 2026
• Download and save the locked-choice PDF.

Step 7: Check Seat Allotment Result

• Round 1 Result: 13 June 2026

If a seat is allotted, choose one of the following:

• Freeze: Accept the seat and do not want an upgrade.
• Float: Accept the seat but want a better institute.
• Slide: Accept the seat but want a better branch in the same institute.

Step 8: Pay Seat Acceptance Fee

Generally:

• General / OBC-NCL / EWS: 35,000
• SC / ST / PwD: 15,000

Step 9: Upload Documents

Keep scanned PDF copies ready:

• Class 10 Marksheet
• Class 12 Marksheet
• JEE Main Scorecard
• Aadhaar Card
• Medical Certificate
• Category Certificate (if applicable)
• Passport-size Photograph
• Bank Passbook / Cancelled Cheque

Step 10: Online Document Verification

The JoSAA reporting center will verify your documents online.

If any document is missing or incorrect, a query will be raised. You must respond within the given time.

Step 11: Download Provisional Admission Letter

After successful verification:

• Download the Provisional Admission Letter.
• Keep multiple printouts.

Step 12: Physical Reporting at College

When the institute announces reporting dates:

• Visit the allotted college.
• Carry original documents and photocopies.
• Complete final admission formalities.

Important Tip

Do not lock your choices on the first day. Wait until both mock allotment results are released, then make changes if needed and lock your final preferences before 11 June.

What is the Pre-Payment of Seat Acceptance Fee?

To reduce issues caused by payment failures and technical glitches, JoSAA allows candidates to pre-pay the Seat Acceptance Fee before seat allotment.

However, this facility is optional and not mandatory. Candidates can still pay the fee after receiving a seat allotment. The provision was introduced after several students faced payment-related issues in previous counselling sessions.

Documents Required for JoSAA Online Reporting

Students should keep scanned copies of the following documents ready before counselling begins:

• Class 10 Marksheet or Birth Proof
• Class 12 Marksheet
• JEE Main Admit Card
• JEE Main Scorecard
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport-size Photograph
• Category Certificate (if applicable)
• Medical Certificate
• Bank Passbook Image
• Cancelled or Crossed Cheque Copy

The Medical Certificate is mandatory for almost all candidates, regardless of category. It must be signed by a registered medical practitioner and should include the doctor’s registration number. Certificates without registration details may be rejected during verification.

State of Eligibility Proof: Do You Need a Domicile Certificate?

Many students worry about domicile certificates during counselling.

In most cases, the State of Eligibility is determined from the state where the candidate passed Class 12. Therefore, the Class 12 marksheet generally serves as proof of eligibility for the Home State quota.

Candidates should still verify the latest JoSAA guidelines before uploading documents.

Documents Required During Physical College Reporting

After seat confirmation, institutes may ask candidates to produce original documents during physical reporting.

These typically include:

• Provisional Seat Allotment Letter
• Provisional Admission Letter
• Class 10 Admit Card
• Class 10 Marksheet
• Class 12 Marksheet
• JEE Main Rank Card
• JEE Advanced Rank Card (for IIT admissions)
• Transfer Certificate (TC)
• Migration Certificate
• Character Certificate
• Aadhaar Card
• Category Certificate
• Gap Certificate (for droppers, if required)
• Income Certificate
• Passport-size Photographs
• Anti-Ragging Undertaking

Different institutes may have additional requirements, so students should carefully read the instructions issued by their allotted college.

JoSAA 2026 Round-Wise Seat Allotment Schedule

JoSAA 2026 conducts five rounds of seat allocation. Each round has a defined online reporting window during which candidates must pay the seat acceptance fee and upload documents. Additionally, each round (except Round 1) includes a withdrawal window and an extra buffer deadline for candidates whose initial payment transaction failed.

Income Certificate and Fee Remission Benefits

Students from economically weaker backgrounds may receive tuition fee concessions.

Generally:

• Family income below ₹1 lakh per year may qualify for full tuition fee remission.
• Family income between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh per year may qualify for partial fee remission.

Eligible students should arrange a valid income certificate well before reporting.

Final Advice for Candidates

JoSAA counselling is often more challenging than students expect. A simple mistake in choice filling, document uploading, or fee payment can result in losing an allotted seat.

Candidates should:

• Prepare all documents in advance.
• Check document size and format requirements.
• Review mock allotment results carefully.
• Avoid waiting until the last day for fee payment.
• Follow every deadline strictly.

With counselling set to begin on June 2, candidates now have very little time left to prepare. Staying organized and informed can make the difference between securing a dream college and missing an opportunity.

For students aiming for IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, JoSAA 2026 is the gateway to some of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions. Proper planning and timely action will be crucial for a successful admission journey.