JoSAA Counselling 2025: Dates, Registration, Process & Seat Allotment

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JoSAA Counselling 2025 is the one and only unified platform through which seats for students are allocated in top institutions like IITs, NITs, IIEST Shibpur, IIITs, and a broad category of Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) after JEE Main exam and JEE Advanced exam. Instead of filling separate applications to every of these prestigious institutions, you can now enroll once only and complete and save your preferences online only, after which the Joint Seat Allocation Authority’s program takes care of the rest in multiple rounds. This is the biggest reason why staying updated about dates, documents, fee payment, and JoSAA seat allotment 2025 activities is extremely essential for every student.

1. What Is the Meaning of JoSAA Counselling?

The Joint Seat Allocation Authority or JoSAA provides admissions to the following institutes:

• 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
  
• 32 National Institutes of Technology (NITs) including IIEST Shibpur (treated within NIT+ system in JoSAA workflow)
  
• 26 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs / Triple-I-Ts)
  
• 47+ Other Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs)

The system runs common seat allocation rounds based on valid JEE ranks:

• JEE Advanced rank is used for IIT seats.
  
• JEE Main rank is used for NITs, IIITs, IIEST, and GFTIs (collectively called the NIT+ system).

Seat allocation is fully online, rule-driven, and time-bound. Missing a deadline can cost you the seat you’ve worked hard to earn. Be logged in and get back to us as soon as action is called for.

2. JoSAA 2025 Key Eligibility Snapshot

Eligibility varies marginally based on where you apply for admission.

For NITs, IIITs, IIEST & GFTIs (through JEE Main)

• Passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics and Mathematics.
  
• One more subject from Chemistry / Biology / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational.
  
• Performance rule: 75 percent marks at the Class 12 level or top 20 percentile in the qualifying board (65 percent or top 20 percentile for reserved categories as per existing rules; always cross-check latest notification).
  
• Should have a valid JEE Main 2025 rank that is at or above the qualifying cut-off. Qualifying only guarantees your eligibility to compete, not a seat.

For IITs (through JEE Advanced)

• Should be one of the first 2,50,000 rankers in the JEE Main 2025 merit list utilized to shortlist for JEE Advanced (qualifying routes differ by category).
  
• Must qualify JEE Advanced 2025.
  
• Must also meet the Class 12 performance criteria applicable for IIT admission.
  

IIT Preparatory Courses (restricted)

• Open only to certain categories (SC, ST, PwD) who meet the prescribed conditions and cutoffs.

Always read institute-level notes. Some programs impose subject combinations, medical fitness formats, or category-certificate dating rules. When in doubt, double-check the things.

3. JoSAA 2025 Counselling Calendar (All Major Candidate Actions)

Below table is here to provide a consolidated view of the 2025 schedule to assist you plan. The timings given are in the India Standard Time (IST) zone. Where a window shows a range, act early – systems get busy near deadlines.

Table: JoSAA Counselling 2025 Timeline

Event	Dates (2025)	What You Do
JoSAA 2025 registration & choice filling opens	June 3 (5:00 PM IST)	Log in with JEE Main / JEE Advanced credentials, register, confirm data, start filling choices.
AAT-qualified candidates may add AAT-specific choices	From June 8	Architecture aspirants add B.Arch options where eligible.
Mock Allotment 1 (choices as of June 8)	June 9	See indicative seat; refine list.
Mock Allotment 2 (choices as of June 10)	June 11	Final check before locking.
Registration & choice filling closes (auto-lock)	June 12 (5:00 PM)	Please confirm the order is correct; last saved list auto-locks if not manually locked.
Seat Allocation Round 1	June 14	Check the result. Complete fee payment, document upload, query response by June 22.
Seat Allocation Round 2	June 25	Online reporting window June 25-29; fee deadline June 29. Withdrawal window June 26-30.
Seat Allocation Round 3	July 2	Online reporting July 2-4; fee deadline July 4; withdrawal window July 2-4.
Seat Allocation Round 4	July 6	Online reporting July 6-9; fee deadline July 9; withdrawal window July 7-9.
Seat Allocation Round 5	July 11	Online reporting July 11-14; fee deadline July 14; withdrawal window July 12-14.
Seat Allocation Round 6 (final for IITs)	July 16	Online reporting July 16-20; fee deadline July 20.
Withdrawal / Exit window (NIT+ system after R6)	July 16-21/22 (per notice)	Last chance to withdraw before the PAF phase.
Partial Admission Fee (PAF) payment for NIT+ system	July 23-27	Mandatory to retain NIT+ seat; adjusted against institute fee.
PAF payment issue resolution	July 28	Final problem-resolution cut-off.

If you intend to join through NIT+ and then appear for CSAB Special Rounds, finish JoSAA steps beforehand so you do not lose your existing seat inadvertently.

4. Step-by-Step: JoSAA 2025 Registration & Choice Filling

1. Visit the official JoSAA portal and log in with your JEE Main 2025 application number and password. JEE Advanced qualified candidates sign in through linked credentials; the system syncs your details.
   
2. Verify personal, academic, and category data auto-fetched from JEE databases. Report mismatch immediately through the portal instructions.
   
3. Change password and confirm contact details (email, mobile). These are used for OTPs when unlocking or making critical changes.
   
4. Choice filling: Add academic programs across IITs and NIT+ institutes in your exact order of preference. You can filter by institute, program, and degree type.
   
5. Reorder generously: Fill many realistic choices above and below your expected range. Too few options is a common reason students lose a seat.
   
6. Save frequently: The portal times out. Save interim drafts.
   
7. Lock choices before the deadline. If you forget, the last saved order auto-locks at closing time. Once locked and the deadline passed, you cannot edit.
   
8. Download a copy of locked choices. Keep both a PDF and printed copy. You may need it for dispute resolution at reporting.
   

5. Understanding JoSAA Mock Allotments

Two mock allotments (June 9 and June 11) show what you might get if the allotment happened using currently saved choices and other candidates’ data at that moment. They are diagnostic only. Use them to:

• Judge whether you have placed realistic institutes high enough.
  
• Add safe options below stretch choices.
  
• Correct category or quota filters if outcomes look odd.

Not locking after revising can undo your improvements. Act before the real rounds begin.

6. How JoSAA Seat Allotment Works Across Rounds

After registration closes, JoSAA runs centralised seat allocation round by round. In each round you may be offered your highest possible choice based on:

• Rank in the relevant list (JEE Advanced for IITs, JEE Main for NIT+).
  
• Category, quota (Home State, Other State, Gender-Neutral, Female Pool, etc) availability.
  
• Seat availability after higher ranked candidates are processed.
  
• Your locked order of program preferences.
  

You never hold more than one seat at a time in JoSAA. After a seat is offered you must take one of three actions:

Freeze

You accept the seat and are done with further JoSAA upgrades. Choose this only when you are fully satisfied or strategically closing risk.

Float

You accept the offered seat but want to be considered in later rounds for a higher preference in any institute above your current seat in your list. If upgraded you lose the earlier seat automatically.

Slide

You accept the offered seat and want movement only within the same institute to a higher preferred program listed above the current one.

Important: Not completing all steps of online reporting in a round where you are allotted a seat (upload documents + pay Seat Acceptance Fee + choose Freeze/Float/Slide) results in cancellation and you are out of JoSAA. Do not miss that deadline.

7. JoSAA 2025 Fees: Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) & Partial Admission Fee (PAF)

There is no separate JoSAA registration fee. Payment starts only after you are allotted a seat.

Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF)

Paid the first time you are allotted a seat in any round. It is mandatory to stay in counseling.

Category	SAF Amount
SC, ST, GEN-PwD, GEN-EWS-PwD, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC-PwD, ST-PwD	INR 15,000
All other candidates	INR 30,000

SAF includes JoSAA processing charges. If you later withdraw or your seat is cancelled due to ineligibility, refund rules apply (processing or withdrawal charges deducted). Retain payment proof.

Partial Admission Fee (PAF) for NIT+ System

Paid after Round 6 by candidates holding NIT+ seats who wish to retain them going into institute-level / CSAB processes. PAF is adjusted against institute admission fees and is generally not refundable if you give up the seat later. Indicative amounts:

Category	PAF Amount
SC, ST, GEN-PwD, GEN-EWS-PwD, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC-PwD, ST-PwD	INR 20,000
All other candidates	INR 45,000

Always verify the amount reflected on your JoSAA login prior to paying, as banks, category corrections, or policy changes might affect payable amounts.

8. Document Checklist: JoSAA document required

You upload documents online during reporting and later carry originals plus photocopies at the institute. Keep clear scans ready in PDF under size limits. File names should be short and identifiable.

For NITs, IIITs, IIEST & GFTIs (NIT+ system)

• 3 passport-size photos (same as JEE Main 2025 form)
  
• Provisional Seat Allotment Letter (downloaded from JoSAA)
  
• Candidate Undertaking (JoSAA format)
  
• Proof of Seat Acceptance Fee payment (SBI e-challan / net banking receipt)
  
• Class 10 mark sheet or official date-of-birth proof
  
• Class 12 mark sheet and passing certificate
  
• Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, School ID, PAN, Passport, etc)
  
• Medical certificate (JoSAA format)
  
• Category certificate (SC / ST / OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS) where applicable and within validity window
  
• PwD certificate, if applicable
  
• OCI / PIO certificate, if applicable
  
• Printout of filled choices submitted in JoSAA counseling
  

For IITs

• Provisional Seat Allotment Letter
  
• 2 passport-size photos (same as JEE Advanced 2025 form)
  
• Candidate Undertaking (JoSAA format)
  
• Proof of Seat Acceptance Fee payment (SBI e-challan / net banking receipt)
  
• Valid photo ID
  
• JEE Advanced 2025 Admit Card
  
• Date-of-birth proof (Class 10 mark sheet)
  
• Class 12 mark sheet and pass certificate
  
• Medical certificate (prescribed format)
  
• Category certificate (if applicable)
  
• PwD certificate (if applicable)
  
• Passport / OCI / PIO documents for foreign category candidates
  
• DS (Defence Service) certificate if applicable
  
• Printout of locked choices

Tip: Scan all category certificates after April 1 2024 (or the latest cut-off prescribed) so that they are considered valid for 2025 reporting. Illegible scans delay verification.

9. Participating Institutes & Seat Matrix Highlights

The JoSAA website indicates 128 total participating institutes for the 2025 cycle for IIT, NIT, IIEST, IIIT, and Other GFTI categories. Seat numbers are different by program and category, but the overall 2025 seat availability snapshot presented during counselling indicates around:

• IITs: ~17,740 seats
  
• NITs: ~24,228 seats
  
• IIITs: ~8,546 seats
  
• GFTIs: ~9,402 seats

Numbers include all program-seat categories; female supernumerary seats are embedded where applicable. Always rely on the live Seat Matrix in your JoSAA account for exact, current counts before locking choices.

10. Smart Choice-Filling Tips

A few practical suggestions from counsellors, faculty mentors, and past candidates:

• Go long: Fill far more choices than you think you need. List every acceptable branch across institutes in descending preference.
  
• Mix ambition with safety: Put stretch options on top, realistic targets in the middle, and safe options below so you never fall out with “no seat”.
  
• Watch program codes: Similar-sounding branches (for example, CSE vs AI-DS vs Data Science) are different. Read carefully.
  
• Female candidates: List both Gender-Neutral and Female-Only pools where available to maximise chances.
  
• State quota: For NITs, include your Home State NIT if you are open to it. Home quotas can differ sharply from All India ranks.

11. After JoSAA: CSAB Special Rounds (For NIT+ Vacancies)

After completion of all six JoSAA rounds, remaining NIT+ seats may go to CSAB Special Rounds. If you want to compete there while holding a JoSAA NIT+ seat, be sure you have paid SAF and PAF as required so that your existing seat can be retained as a fall-back choice. Otherwise you may surrender it unintentionally.

12. Conclusion

JoSAA is fast, rules-driven, and unforgiving about deadlines. Keep your login active, watch SMS and email alerts, upload correct documents, and pay fees within the window shown. A little early planning on documents and choice strategy can save you from last-minute panic and help you land the best possible seat your rank deserves. Good luck.

FAQs: JoSAA Counselling 2025