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DASA is an acronym for Direct Admission of Students Abroad. It is a special admission scheme for NRI, OCI, PIO and Foreign National students who wish to study engineering, architecture or planning in India.
DASA 2026 offers an opportunity to students to get admission in NITs, IIITs, SPAs, IIEST Shibpur and other participating technical institutes in India.
DASA is not an entrance examination. Students must appear for JEE Main 2026. Admission is based on JEE Main rank, eligibility, document verification, filling choices and seat allotment.
Use these important DASA sections to check eligibility, fees, dates and seat allotment details.
DASA is an admission channel for international students. It assists eligible NRI, OCI, PIO and Foreign National students to seek admission to top Indian engineering colleges through a separate counselling process.
DASA admission was previously based on SAT Subject Test scores. DASA UG admission through JEE Main rank now.
Yes, JEE Main is compulsory for DASA admission.
| Course | Required JEE Main Paper |
| B.Tech / B.E. | JEE Main Paper 1 |
| B.Arch | JEE Main Paper 2A |
| B.Planning | JEE Main Paper 2B |
The following students can apply under DASA:
| Student Category | Eligible |
| NRI students | Yes |
| Foreign Nationals | Yes |
| OCI students | Yes |
| PIO students | Yes |
| Indian students studying only in India | No, unless they satisfy DASA residential rules |
DASA is open to Indian families living in the USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Singapore, Canada, UK and other countries.
Students must meet the DASA eligibility rules before applying.
| Eligibility Area | Requirement |
| Entrance Exam | JEE Main 2026 rank is required |
| Education | Grade 12 or equivalent qualification |
| For B.Tech | Physics, Mathematics and one approved subject |
| For B.Arch | Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics |
| For B.Planning | Mathematics |
| Candidate Type | NRI, OCI, PIO or Foreign National |
| Residential Rule | Indian nationals must satisfy the study-abroad requirement |
Indian nationals applying under DASA should check on the residential rule carefully. Usually, the student would have studied Class 11 and Class 12 or equivalent off-campus outside India for the requisite period.
DASA seats are supernumerary seats. This means they are extra seats available for eligible students applying through DASA.
| Point | Details |
| Seat Type | Supernumerary seats |
| Admission Basis | JEE Main rank |
| Seat Matrix | Released on the official counselling portal |
| Institutes | NITs, IIITs, SPAs, IIEST Shibpur and other GFTIs |
The number of seats may change every year. Students are advised to check the official DASA seat matrix before filling choices.
DASA-2027 will be coordinated by one of the NITs (as officially stated on the DASA portal). The conducting NIT for 2027 is yet to be confirmed, and the official DASA Brochure 2027 will be released shortly after the announcement.
Admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate programs under the DASA scheme for 2027 will be based on JEE Main Score 2027, including for NRI students living in the USA and Middle East applying under CIWG/DASA quota.
Students have to pay the DASA enrolment fee during registration. This includes the registration fee and first-semester tuition fee.
| Category | Registration Fee | First-Semester Tuition Fee | Initial Payment |
| DASA Non-SAARC | US$ 300 | US$ 4000 | US$ 4300 |
| DASA SAARC | US$ 300 | US$ 2000 | US$ 2300 |
Students also need to check hostel fee, mess fee, admission fee and other institute level charges separately.
Students should keep these documents ready before registration.
| Document | Purpose |
| JEE Main scorecard | For rank verification |
| Passport | For identity and nationality proof |
| Class 10 certificate | For date of birth proof |
| Class 11 marksheet or study certificate | For residential eligibility |
| Class 12 marksheet | For academic eligibility |
| OCI/PIO card | Required if applicable |
| Photograph and signature | For application form |
| Medical certificate | Required in prescribed format |
| Bank details | Required for refund, if applicable |
Free DASA Counselling for NRI, OCI, PIO and Foreign National Students seeking admission in NITs, IIITs, SPAs and other premier Indian institutes.
Get guidance on eligibility, JEE Main, documents, fees, cutoffs and choice filling.
The DASA registration process is completed online.
| Step | Process |
| Step 1 | Go to the official portal of DASA/CSAB counselling |
| Step 2 | Login with your JEE Main credentials |
| Step 3 | Complete registration for DASA |
| Step 4 | Fill in personal, academic and residential details |
| Step 5 | Pay the DASA registration fee |
| Step 6 | Required documents to upload |
| Step 7 | Answer questions on document authentication |
| Step 8 | Fill and Lock College/Branch Choices |
| Step 9 | Check Seat allotment results |
| Step 10 | Read full reporting from the given institute |
| Event | Date |
| Registration, fee payment, choice filling and document upload start | 28 July 2026 |
| Mock seat allocation | 31 July 2026 |
| Registration, fee payment and document upload end | 3 August 2026 |
| Last date to respond to document verification queries | 4 August 2026 |
| Choice filling and locking end | 5 August 2026 |
| Round 1 seat allotment result | 6 August 2026 |
| Round 2 seat allotment result | 12 August 2026 |
| Physical reporting and balance fee payment | 13 August to 18 August 2026 |
Students should always check the official counselling portal for final dates.
DASA seat allotment depends on:
| Factor | Importance |
| JEE Main rank | Decides merit position |
| Eligibility | Confirms whether the student can apply |
| Documents | Required for verification |
| Choice filling | Decides college and branch preference |
| Seat availability | Decides final allotment |
Students should fill choices carefully. They should include dream, target and safe options.
Get JEE study material and speak with TestprepKart counsellors for DASA eligibility, documents, cutoffs and choice filling.
A good DASA choice list should not include only top NITs or only Computer Science. Students should prepare a balanced list according to rank, branch preference, college reputation and previous cutoff trends.
| Choice Type | What To Include |
| Dream Choices | Top colleges and branches |
| Target Choices | Colleges matching previous closing ranks |
| Safe Choices | Options with better admission chances |
| Branch-Safe Choices | Good branches apart from CSE |
| Location-Safe Choices | Colleges suitable for family preference |
DASA cutoff is released as opening and closing ranks. The cutoff changes every year.
DASA cutoff depends on:
| Factor | Impact |
| JEE Main rank | Higher rank gives better chances |
| Branch demand | CSE, AI, Data Science and ECE are usually competitive |
| College popularity | Top NITs close earlier |
| Number of applicants | More applicants can increase competition |
| Seat availability | More seats can improve chances |
Compare last year's cutoffs before final choice filling.
| Point | DASA | JoSAA |
| Best For | NRI, OCI, PIO and Foreign National students | Indian students through regular counselling |
| Admission Basis | JEE Main rank | JEE Main / JEE Advanced rank |
| Seats | Supernumerary DASA seats | Regular seats |
| Fee | DASA fee applies | Regular institute fee applies |
| Counselling | DASA/CSAB counselling | JoSAA counselling |
Students should avoid these mistakes during DASA admission:
| Mistake | Why It Is Risky |
| Leveraging legacy DASA data using the SAT | DASA now uses JEE Main rank |
| Missed the registration deadline | Late applications may not be accepted |
| Uploading documents unclear | Can create verification problems |
| Not enough options filled | Reduces admission chances |
| CSE only | Can be risky for moderate ranks |
| Not looking at fee details. | Hostel and other charges may vary |
| Not verifying eligibility | Can affect final admission |
DASA is one of the best ways to get admission for NRI, OCI, PIO and Foreign National students who want to study in India. It is a platform for students to get admission into top institutes like NITs, IIITs, SPAs and IIEST Shibpur through a structured counselling process.
But DASA should not be an easy way out Students need a good JEE Main rank, the right documents and smart choice filling.
Planning for DASA 2026? Get an early start. Check your eligibility first. Prepare seriously for JEE Main. Fill choices only after checking previous DASA cutoffs and preparing your documents.
A good DASA plan should have JEE Main preparation, document readiness, fee planning, cutoff analysis and proper college choice filling.
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