DASA Registration: Online Application Process

Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) is a Ministry of Education scheme that offers Foreign Nationals, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Non-Resident Indians (NRI), and formerly PIOs, including students studying in the USA and Middle East, admission to premier Indian technical institutions such as NITs, IIITs, SPAs, IIEST Shibpur, and other CFTIs (excluding IITs).

As per the DASA 2025 brochure, admissions are based entirely on JEE Main All-India Rank. The coordinating institute changes each year and, for the 2025-26 cycle, it is the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NITRKL), as listed on dasanit.org. Older references to MNNIT Allahabad or MNIT Jaipur coordinating all institutes are outdated, as the coordinating authority is assigned annually.

Based on important dates & deadlines, below is the DASA Application Procedures:

DASA Application Submission Procedure 

Stage 1: Online Registration & Document Upload
Candidates must first register on the official DASA portal, fill in their personal and academic details, and upload required documents (passport, Class 10–12 records, proof of studying abroad, etc.).

Stage 2: Submit JEE Main Rank & Fees
After JEE Main results are released, applicants must upload their valid JEE Main All India Rank and complete the fee payment (registration + first semester tuition fee) to the coordinating NIT for that admission year. 

Online Application Submission Process for DASA / CIWG 

Step 1: Online Registration

• Visit the official DASA portal (dasanit.org) and click “Create My Account.”
• Enter a valid email ID and captcha to generate your Applicant ID.
• Check your email inbox for the verification link and Applicant ID.
• Open the link, enter your Applicant ID, set a password, and complete registration.
• Safely note down your Applicant ID and password for all future logins, seat allotments, and fee submissions.
  

(This applies to all candidates, NRI students in the USA, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.)

Step 2: Online Application Submission

• Log in and fill your preferred Institutes and Branches in order of priority for seat allotment across NITs, IIITs, SPAs, IIEST, and CFTIs.
• Upload:
  
  • Recent passport-size photo (JPG, 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm, <100 kB)
  • Applicant signature (JPG/JPEG, <100 kB)
  • Scanned documents,  passport, Class 10-12 transcripts, proof of overseas education, and valid JEE Main 2026 Scorecard
    (Each file must be JPG/JPEG and <500 kB)
    
• Carefully use Preview Application Form to check all details before submitting. Edits are allowed only before final submission.
• After final submission, download the form for records.
• Pay the non-refundable Registration Fee of USD $300 online during this step.

Note:
All DASA/CIWG applicants, including NRI students living in the USA and Middle East, must upload their valid JEE Main 2026 scorecard (Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics–based JEE Main Rank) directly on the DASA portal during the application window.

Uploading scores manually through NTA is no longer applicable, as NTA does not send scores directly to DASA. It is also mandatory to pay the DASA Registration Fee (USD $300) before the official deadline mentioned in the 2026 brochure, otherwise the application will not be considered for seat allotment rounds.

Document Submission for DASA Application:

The following documents must be uploaded during the online registration process. All documents should clearly match the candidate’s passport details, including name, date of birth, and spelling to avoid rejection during verification.

Required Documents

1. Candidate’s Passport (Mandatory)
A valid passport is required for all applicants, including NRI students studying in the USA and Middle East (UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia).
(For students from Nepal, earlier guidelines mentioned submission of a citizenship card in place of passport. This must be reconfirmed from the official 2026 brochure).

2. Proof of Date of Birth
Any ONE of the following is accepted:

• Government-issued Birth Certificate
• School Record mentioning Date of Birth
• Grade 10 Board Certificate (CBSE, ICSE, State Board, IB, IGCSE, AP, etc.)

(The DOB must match exactly with passport details.)

3. Marksheets of Class 10, 11 & 12 (or equivalent)

• Class 10 Transcript
• Class 11 Transcript
• Class 12 Transcript or Predicted Scores
  

If the student is currently in Grade 12 (2026 batch), an undertaking must be uploaded stating that final results will be submitted as soon as they are released.

Once results are available, final Class 12 mark sheet must be uploaded before DASA deadlines.

4. Proof of Completion of Classes 11 & 12 Outside India
Accepted Proofs:

• Passing Certificate issued by school authority
• School Bonafide Certificate confirming education abroad
• Letter from Principal stating schooling location and curriculum (IB, AP, British, CBSE, ISC, etc.)

This is necessary for NRI candidates applying under DASA quota.

5. Proof of Studying Outside India for the Required Period
DASA eligibility requires that Indian-national applicants complete Class 11 & 12 outside India.

Accepted Proofs:

• School Study Certificate
• Marksheets showing foreign school name/location
• School Leaving Certificate showing jurisdiction

Merit List Preparation for Seat Allotment:

After successful completion of application, document upload, and fee payment, the DASA coordinating institute prepares the Merit List based fully on the candidate’s JEE Main 2026 All India Rank. Seat allotment in all rounds is done according to the student’s JEE rank, choice of institutes/programs, category (DASA/CIWG), and availability.

Given below are the important dates & deadlines for DASA Registration, Application & Seat Allotment procedures.

DASA Important Dates & Deadlines:

DASA 2026 applications are expected in June 2026, with seat allotments through late June-July and institute reporting in August-September. Final dates will be confirmed in the official brochure.

Additional Rules & Instructions to Remember

• English is the only accepted language for the DASA application and as the medium of instruction in participating institutes.
• You can fill the form in multiple sessions, but make sure to save your progress each time. Submission is final only after clicking the “Submit” button.
• No edits are allowed once the application is submitted.
• The candidate’s name must match exactly across all documents.
• Any document not in English/Hindi must be submitted with an officially translated copy in English or Hindi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Will the DASA Scheme be available in 2026?

Yes. The DASA / CIWG admission scheme is expected to continue for the 2026-27 academic cycle for NRI, OCI & Foreign National students (including those living in the USA and Middle East). The final confirmation will appear in the official DASA 2026 brochure.

Q2: Will SAT Subject Tests be valid in 2026 for admission under DASA Scheme?

No. SAT Subject Tests have been permanently discontinued. DASA admissions for 2026 will be based only on JEE Main 2026 All India Rank, including for students from the USA and Middle East.

Q3: What is the benefit of JEE Main over SAT Subject Tests under DASA / CIWG 2026?

JEE Main is now the only selection criteria, ensuring a uniform merit-based process. It aligns NRI and foreign students with the same national ranking standard used in India for premier institutes like NITs, IIITs, IIEST & CFTIs.

Q4: What is the eligibility criteria for NRI, OCI, Foreign National students under DASA / CIWG 2026?

Students must have completed Class 11 & 12 outside India (USA, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, etc.), with Physics & Mathematics as core subjects and must hold a valid JEE Main 2026 rank. OCI, NRI & Foreign Nationals all qualify if other rules are met.

Q5: Students of which grade are eligible to take the JEE Mains exam for applying under DASA 2026?

Typically, students in Grade 12 (or those who passed Class 12 outside India) are eligible. 11th graders in USA or Gulf countries preparing for DASA should start building core concepts early to target a high JEE Main 2026 rank.

Q6: Is ‘JEE Mandatory from DASA 2021 onwards’ a final & official decision?

Yes. The removal of SAT Scores and the shift to JEE Main Rank is officially implemented. The same requirement continues for DASA / CIWG 2026 and future cycles unless a new notification states otherwise.

Q7: Can the Government withdraw the changes made regarding JEE Main for DASA admissions?

Highly unlikely. The change from SAT to JEE Main was implemented after formal approval and has continued for multiple cycles. Until an official update reverses it, JEE Main remains mandatory.

Q8: Has anything changed in the qualifying exam rules under DASA 2026?

The core requirements remain the same:

• Class 11 & 12 must be completed outside India
• Physics & Mathematics must be mandatory subjects
• JEE Main AIR is the admission criteria
  The previous SAT-based qualification requirement is fully discontinued.
  

Q9: How should NRI students prepare for JEE Main to apply under DASA / CIWG Scheme 2026?

Begin early from Grade 11, focus on NCERT-aligned topics, practice PYQs, and take full-length JEE mock tests. Students in USA and Middle East should also match time zones with online coaching and attend personalized doubt-solving.

Q10: What will be the expected JEE Main Rank cutoff for DASA / CIWG 2026?

Cutoffs vary by branch and campus. Top NITs like NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, IIIT Hyderabad, and NIT Surathkal may require strong ranks due to high demand among NRI applicants.
Exact cutoff ranges for 2026 must be verified from official counseling data.

Q11: Do NRI Students need coaching to clear JEE Mains under DASA / CIWG 2026?

It depends on academic background, but structured online coaching is highly recommended for NRI students in USA and Middle East due to syllabus differences, test patterns, and the competitive level required to secure top NIT seats.

Q12: Best JEE Online Coaching for JEE Main 2026 for NRI Students:

NRI students should choose coaching programs that provide live classes in USA & Middle East time zones, JEE mock test patterns, Bluebook-style adaptive analysis, and topic-wise PYQs.
Institute recommendations to be updated after checking the latest rankings for 2026.

Q13: How to submit JEE Main 2026 Rank on the DASA website for admissions?

Students must upload their official JEE Main 2026 AIR from the NTA score portal on dasanit.org during application. Rank submission deadlines will be published in the DASA 2026 brochure. Timely upload is mandatory for participating in seat allotment rounds.

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