DASA Eligibility 2026
DASA 2026 is meant for students living outside India who wish to apply for admission in the engineering, architecture and planning programmes at premier Indian technical institutes such as NITs, IIITs, SPAs, IIEST Shibpur, Other-GFTIs and other participating institutes.
The eligibility criteria of DASA is based on nationality, age, academics, JEE Main and residency of the students. Parents should go through these rules carefully before registration as wrong category selection or missing documents can affect admission.
DASA 2026 Quick Internal Links
Use these important DASA sections to check eligibility, fees, dates and seat allotment details.
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Quick Answer: Who Is Eligible For DASA 2026?
DASA 2026 eligibility criteria for NRI, OCI, PIO and Foreign National students include valid JEE Main 2026 rank, Class 12 academic eligibility, age criteria and mandatory document verification process.
DASA Eligibility 2026 At A Glance
| Eligibility Area |
Requirement |
| Candidate Category |
NRI, OCI, PIO or Foreign National |
| Entrance Exam |
Valid JEE Main 2026 scorecard and rank |
| Age Limit |
Candidate must be born on or after October 1, 2001 |
| Academic Qualification |
Class 12 or equivalent qualification |
| Minimum Marks |
75% marks or 7.5 CGPA out of 10 in 5 subjects |
| Residential Rule |
Indian nationals must satisfy the study-abroad requirement |
| Counselling Portal |
DASA/CSAB official counselling portal |
Nationality Requirement For DASA
The following students are eligible to apply under DASA:
| Candidate Type |
Eligible Under DASA? |
| Non-Resident Indian students |
Yes |
| Foreign Nationals |
Yes |
| OCI cardholders |
Yes |
| PIO cardholders |
Yes |
| Indian students studying only in India |
No, unless they satisfy DASA residential rules |
Indian families settled in the USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Singapore, Canada, UK and other countries use DASA extensively.
Age Eligibility For DASA 2026
Candidate born on or after 1 October 2001 will be eligible for DASA 2026.
Generally, verification is done on the basis of the date of birth mentioned in the Class 10 certificate, secondary school certificate or government issued certificate. Students must make sure that the date of birth is the same on school records, passport and other documents.
JEE Main Requirement For DASA
JEE Main is compulsory for DASA UG admission. DASA admission is not based on SAT Subject Test scores anymore.
| Course |
Required JEE Main Paper |
| B.E. / B.Tech |
JEE Main Paper 1 |
| B.Arch |
JEE Main Paper 2A |
| B.Planning |
JEE Main Paper 2B |
Students must appear for the correct JEE Main paper according to the course they wish to apply for. A student applying for B.Tech is required to appear for Paper 1 and a student applying for B.Arch or B.Planning is required to appear for Paper 2.
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DASA admission planning requires a clear understanding of eligibility, JEE Main score, institute options, fee structure, seat matrix and choice filling.
Download the JEE e-book guide to understand preparation strategy, admission planning and counselling support for NRI students.
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Academic Eligibility For B.Tech
For B.E. or B.Tech admission through DASA, the student must complete Class 12 or equivalent with:
| Requirement |
Details |
| Compulsory Subjects |
Mathematics and Physics |
| One Additional Subject |
Chemistry, Biotechnology, Computer Science or Biology |
| Minimum Marks |
75% marks or 7.5 CGPA out of 10 in 5 subjects |
| Entrance Exam |
Valid JEE Main Paper 1 rank |
This means students should not only focus on JEE Main. Their Class 12 subject combination and marks are also important for final eligibility.
Academic Eligibility For B.Arch
To get admission in B.Arch through DASA, students must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Students having passed a 10+3 diploma with Mathematics as compulsory subject may also be eligible, subject to official rules.
| Course |
Subject Requirement |
| B.Arch |
Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Grade12 |
| Alternative Route |
10+3 diploma with Mathematics |
The candidate must also satisfy the minimum marks requirement and have a valid JEE Main Paper 2A rank.
Academic Eligibility For B.Planning
For B.Planning admission through DASA, the student must have Mathematics as a subject in Class 12.
| Course |
Subject Requirement |
| B.Planning |
Mathematics in Grade 12 |
| Entrance Exam |
JEE Main Paper 2B |
Students planning for B.Planning should check the subject requirement before applying because Mathematics is compulsory.
Grade 12 Appearing Students
Students appearing for Grade 12 or equivalent examination in the academic year 2025-26 can also apply for DASA 2026.
But they can submit their final result before the deadline mentioned on the official DASA calendar. Parents have to know the timelines of the school results, especially if the student is studying under a foreign curriculum.
CIWG Eligibility Under DASA
CIWG means Children of Indian Workers in the Gulf. This is a reserved category under the DASA scheme for eligible NRI students whose parents are or were working in an eligible Gulf country.
Eligible Gulf Countries:
| CIWG Eligible Countries |
| United Arab Emirates |
| Saudi Arabia |
| Qatar |
| Kuwait |
| Oman |
| Bahrain |
| Iraq |
| Iran |
To claim CIWG benefit, students must submit valid proof of parent’s Gulf employment such as parent passport, visa, work permit or employment certificate.
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Documents Required To Prove DASA Eligibility
DASA Registration: Students are advised to keep all the documents ready. Any difference in names, date of birth, passport details or school records can cause problems during verification,” said an official.
| Document |
Purpose |
| JEE Main 2026 scorecard |
To verify rank and exam qualification |
| Passport |
To verify identity and nationality |
| Class 10 certificate |
To verify date of birth |
| Class 11 marksheet or study certificate |
To support residential eligibility |
| Class 12 marksheet or equivalent certificate |
To verify academic eligibility |
| OCI/PIO card |
Required for OCI/PIO candidates |
| School study certificate |
To prove education outside India, if applicable |
| Medical certificate |
Required in prescribed format |
| Photograph and signature |
Required for registration |
| CIWG documents |
Required only if applying under CIWG |
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Common Eligibility Mistakes Students Should Avoid
| Mistake |
Why It Can Create A Problem |
| Old SAT based DASA info to follow. |
JEE Main now basis for UG admissions in DASA |
| Residential rule disregarded |
Indian nationals must prove their eligibility to study abroad |
| Uploading Ambiguous Documents |
It may produce verification queries |
| Passport and certificate name mismatch |
It can slow down or affect verification |
| Wrong JEE Selection Main paper: |
The eligibility for the course is dependent on the relevant paper. |
| Class 12 subject requirement not met |
B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Planning have different subject rules |
| Assuming registration ensures admission |
Admission rank, documents, choices and seats |
Is DASA Admission Guaranteed After Eligibility?
No. Eligibility does not mean admission. This is for enabling the student to participate in DASA seat allocation process.
Final Admission will be based on:
| |
|
| JEE Main rank |
Decides merit position |
| Eligibility |
Confirms whether the student can participate |
| Documents |
Required for verification |
| Choice filling |
Decides college and branch preference |
| Seat availability |
Decides final allotment |
Students are advised to see the previous cut-offs and make a balanced choice list before the final choice filling.
Final Advice
Final Advice For DASA 2026 Eligibility
Before applying for DASA 2026, students should check whether they are eligible under DASA, have the right JEE Main paper and their documents should be in place to show the required academic and residential conditions.
For NRI families, it is better to check their eligibility early than to wait for the registration window. This helps to avoid last minute issues with documents and gives the student enough time to focus on JEE Main preparation and choice filling.
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DASA Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
1. Who is eligible for DASA 2026?
NRI, OCI, PIO and Foreign National students can apply under DASA 2026 if they satisfy the age, academic, JEE Main and residential eligibility rules.
2. Is JEE Main required for DASA 2026?
Yes, JEE Main 2026 is compulsory for DASA UG admission. Admission is based on JEE Main rank, not SAT Subject Test scores.
3. What is the age limit for DASA 2026?
For DASA 2026, candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2001.
4. Can Indian students studying in India apply for DASA?
Usually, no. Indian nationals must satisfy the study-abroad rule, including education in Class 11 and Class 12 or equivalent from abroad.
5. What subjects are required for B.Tech under DASA?
For B.Tech, students must have Mathematics, Physics and one subject from Chemistry, Biotechnology, Computer Science or Biology.
6. What subjects are required for B.Arch under DASA?
For B.Arch, students must have Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Class 12, or a 10+3 diploma with Mathematics as per rules.