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CSAB Schedule 2026
The CSAB (Central Seat Allocation Board) 2026 schedule covers every step from vacancy display to physical reporting at allotted institutes. CSAB 2026 runs 2 Special Rounds for the NIT+ system, handling seats that remain vacant after all 5 JoSAA rounds. The complete CSAB counselling process takes place on csab.nic.in from July 28 to August 18, 2026. IITs and IISc do not participate in CSAB. Candidates should track every deadline carefully because missing even one reporting or fee-payment deadline can lead to seat cancellation.
Event | Official Date | Key Action |
|---|---|---|
NIT+ PAF Payment Window | July 22 to July 24, 2026 | NIT+ candidates admitted through JoSAA pay the Partial Admission Fee before CSAB opens. |
Vacancy Display on csab.nic.in | July 28, 2026 | CSAB publishes the complete vacancy matrix for all NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Review available seats before filling choices. |
Registration and Choice Filling Opens | July 28, 2026 | Fresh registration begins on csab.nic.in. Candidates can start filling institute and branch preferences immediately. |
Mock Seat Allotment | July 31, 2026 | Non-binding allotment based on current choices. Reorder preferences before final locking. |
Registration and Fee Payment Ends | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) | Final deadline to register and pay the Special Round Enrollment Fee. No late registrations are permitted. |
SREF Fee Issue Resolution | August 4, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Resolve pending enrollment fee payment issues. Unresolved cases become ineligible for allotment. |
Choice Filling and Locking Ends | August 5, 2026 (2:00 PM) | Last opportunity to lock preferences. Registration closes earlier on August 3. |
Data Reconciliation by NIC and CSAB | August 5, 2026 (5:00 PM) | CSAB and NIC complete final candidate data validation before allotment processing. |
Special Round 1 Seat Allotment | August 6, 2026 (5:00 PM) | First allotment result released. Candidates must select Freeze, Float, or Slide and complete reporting formalities. |
Special Round 1 Reporting Window | August 6 to August 10, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Upload documents and pay IAF-II. Mandatory for all Round 1 allottees, including Float and Slide candidates. |
DVO Query Resolution - Round 1 | August 11, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Respond to any Document Verifying Officer queries. Failure to respond results in seat cancellation. |
Special Round 2 Seat Allotment | August 12, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Second allotment released based on vacancies remaining after Round 1 reporting. |
Special Round 2 Online Reporting | August 12 to August 14, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Fresh Round 2 allottees must upload documents and pay IAF-II. |
DVO Query Resolution - Round 2 | August 17, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Final opportunity to resolve document verification issues. |
Physical Reporting at Institutes | August 13 to August 18, 2026 | Report to the allotted institute with original documents as per institute joining instructions. |
CSAB Counselling Dates 2026
The CSAB 2026 counselling window officially opens on July 28, 2026, when both registration and vacancy display begin simultaneously. Candidates receive only a short period to complete registration, review the mock allotment, and lock their final choices before seat allotment processing begins.
- July 28, 2026: Registration and vacancy display begin on csab.nic.in.
- July 31, 2026: Mock seat allotment released for preference review.
- August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM): Registration and SREF payment deadline.
- August 5, 2026 (2:00 PM): Final deadline for choice locking.
Note: Registration and choice locking have separate deadlines. Candidates who fail to register by August 3 cannot participate in choice locking even though the locking window remains open until August 5.
Also Read: CSAB Counselling 2026, Registration, Fees, Seat Allotment
CSAB Registration Date 2026
CSAB Special Round 2026 registration opens on July 28 and closes on August 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Registration is conducted separately from JoSAA, meaning all candidates must submit a fresh application on csab.nic.in even if they participated in JoSAA.
Eligible candidates include:
- Category Restoration candidates applying between July 22 and July 24, 2026.
- Candidates who were not allotted any seat during JoSAA counselling.
- Candidates who withdrew from a JoSAA NIT+, IIIT, IIEST, SPA, or GFTI seat.
- Candidates whose JoSAA seat was cancelled due to category document issues.
- Fresh JEE Main 2026 rank holders who did not participate in JoSAA.
Important: OBC-NCL and EWS certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026. Older certificates are not accepted during verification.
CSAB Special Round Dates 2026
CSAB conducts only two Special Rounds. Since there are fewer opportunities for upgradation compared to JoSAA, candidates should prepare a comprehensive preference list covering ambitious, realistic, and safe choices.
Special Round allotment schedule:
- Special Round 1: August 6, 2026 (5:00 PM)
- Round 1 Reporting: August 6 to August 10, 2026 (5:00 PM)
- Special Round 2: August 12, 2026 (5:00 PM)
- Round 2 Reporting: August 12 to August 14, 2026 (5:00 PM)
Available willingness options:
- Freeze: Accept the seat and exit future allotments.
- Float: Keep the allotted seat while seeking a higher preference.
- Slide: Seek a better branch within the same institute.
- Withdraw: Exit CSAB counselling permanently.
Also Read: CSAB Special Round 2026, Dates, Registration & Cutoffs
CSAB Counselling Process 2026
The CSAB counselling process consists of five major stages from registration to final institute reporting.
- Registration and Vacancy Review: July 28 to August 3.
- Mock Allotment and Choice Locking: July 31 to August 5.
- Special Round 1 Reporting: August 6 to August 11.
- Special Round 2 Reporting: August 12 to August 17.
- Physical Reporting at Institutes: August 13 to August 18.
Candidates who miss any reporting deadline, fee payment, or DVO query response window risk losing their allotted seat permanently.
Also Read: JoSAA vs CSAB Counselling 2026
CSAB Schedule for Fee Payment and Document Verification
CSAB requires two separate fee payments. The Special Round Enrollment Fee (SREF) is paid during registration, while the Institute Admission Fee-II (IAF-II) is paid after seat allotment during reporting.
Fee Component | When Paid | Gen/OBC-NCL/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
Special Round Enrollment Fee (SREF) | By August 3, 2026 | Rs. 45,000 | Rs. 25,000 |
Institute Admission Fee-I (IAF-I) | Included within SREF | Rs. 40,000 | Rs. 19,000 |
Special Round Processing Fee (SRPF) | Included within SREF | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 5,000 |
Institute Admission Fee-II (IAF-II) | After allotment reporting | Rs. 35,000 | Rs. 16,000 |
Documents generally required during reporting:
- JEE Main 2026 scorecard and admit card.
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets.
- Category certificate where applicable.
- Passport-size photographs.
- Government photo ID proof.
- Medical fitness certificate if required by the allotted institute.
Also Read: CSAB Opening vs Closing Rank 2026, Branch-wise Analysis
CSAB Schedule 2026: Conclusion
The CSAB Schedule 2026 covers the complete admission process for vacant seats in NITs, IIITs, IIEST, SPAs and GFTIs after JoSAA counselling. Registration begins on July 28, while the two CSAB Special Round results will be declared on August 6 and August 12, 2026. Candidates must closely track registration, choice locking, fee payment, seat allotment and document verification dates.
Since CSAB counselling 2026 offers only two allotment opportunities, candidates should create a balanced preference list with ambitious, realistic and safe choices. Every reporting step must be completed within the prescribed deadline because missing the registration, payment, document upload or DVO query-resolution window can lead to cancellation of the allotted seat.
