JOSAA FAQs
I qualified in JEE (Advanced) 2025 and I am interested in taking admission in one of the IITs. Do I need to register on JoSAA portal?
YES. It is mandatory for the candidates to register through the official JoSAA 2025 online portal to be able to obtain seats to be allocated through JoSAA 2025 in any of the IITs, NITs, IIEST, IIITs (Triple-I-Ts) and Other-GFTIs. Please refer to Clause 1 in the JoSAA Business Rules.
I locked my choices but now I would like to make further changes to my choice list. Is it allowed? If yes, how can I exercise the option?
If you wish to edit your choices after locking but before the choice filling deadline, you can do so by first submitting a request to unlock in the online JoSAA portal. Please refer to Clause 40 for detailed procedure to unlock the choices.
Choice filling deadline is already over. Am I allowed to make any changes in my choice list at this point?
NO. You will not be allowed to edit your choice list after the deadline for choice filling, i.e. you cannot change the order of your choices OR add any more course in OR delete any course from the choice list after the deadline for choice filling. For more details, please refer to Clause 40[Clause 40: Candidates MUST “lock” their choices on/before the last day of choice filling. If candidates do NOT lock their choices, last saved choices will be locked automatically upon reaching the deadline for choice filling. Once locked, the choices filled by a candidate cannot be edited. If a candidate wishes to edit their choices after locking but before the choice filling deadline, they can do so by first submitting a request to unlock in the online JoSAA portal. An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile and email, which can be used to validate the unlock request. Once validated, candidate’s choices will be unlocked for editing. Candidates will NOT be able to edit their choice list after the deadline for choice filling, i.e. candidates CANNOT change the order of their choices OR add any more course/s in OR delete any course/s from their choice list after the deadline for choice filling] for detailed guidelines.
I saved my last filled choice list but I forgot to lock them. Now the choice filling deadline is over and I cannot make any further changes. Will this affect the list of choices that will be considered for allocating a seat to me during the JoSAA?
If you do not lock your choices, last saved choices will be locked automatically upon reaching the deadline for choice filling. The automatically locked choice list will be considered for allocating a seat during JoSAA.
I got allocated a seat in a certain round of JoSAA for the first time but I am not interested in this seat. I would like to wait for further rounds of JoSAA to possibly get a better seat in my preference order. Do I need to do anything in the current round?
Short Answer:
Yes, you must take action in the current round.
To stay eligible for future rounds, you must:
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“Accept” the seat (even if you don’t want it)
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Choose “Float” (or “Slide”) to remain in contention for upgrades
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Pay the seat acceptance fee & upload documents
If you don’t complete these steps, your seat will be cancelled, and you won’t be considered in further rounds.
Detailed Explanation:
1. If You Do Nothing = Seat Rejected, Exit JoSAA
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If you don’t accept the seat, upload docs, or pay the fee, JoSAA treats it as rejection.
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Consequence: You lose this seat AND eligibility for future rounds.
2. How to Stay Eligible for Upgrades
To keep your chances alive for a better seat in later rounds, you must:
✅ Step 1: Accept the Seat (even if you don’t want it)
✅ Step 2: Choose an Option for Future Rounds:
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“Float” → Willing to take any higher-preferred branch/institute in future rounds.
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“Slide” → Willing to take a better branch in the SAME institute (if available).
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“Freeze” → Keeps this seat (no further upgrades). (Not recommended if you want a better option
✅ Step 3: Pay Seat Acceptance Fee (₹17.5K for SC/ST/PwD, ₹35K for others)
✅ Step 4: Upload Required Documents
3. What Happens Next?
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If a better seat (higher preference) is available in later rounds → You’ll be upgraded.
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If no upgrade happens → You retain this seat (can withdraw later if you don’t want it).
I was allocated a seat in one of the previous rounds and now I have been allocated another seat of higher preference in my choice list. Can I go back to the seat allotted to me in the previous round?
Short Answer: No, you cannot go back to a seat allotted in an earlier round once you accept a new seat in a later round.
Detailed Explanation:
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JoSAA Seat Allocation Rules:
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Each round of seat allocation is sequential and binding.
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If you accept a seat in a later round (higher preference), the previous seat is automatically forfeited.
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You cannot revert to an older seat once you accept a new one.
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Why You Can’t Go Back:
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The system locks your previous seat when you accept a new one.
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The vacated seat is reallocated to other candidates in subsequent rounds.
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JoSAA does not allow rollback to earlier allotments.
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What If You Don’t Want the New Seat?
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If you reject the new seat, you lose both seats and exit JoSAA.
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You cannot reclaim the previous seat once rejected.
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Options You Have:
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Accept the new seat (higher preference) and proceed.
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Reject the new seat, but you won’t get the old seat back and will be out of JoSAA.
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Conclusion:
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Once you accept a seat in a new round, the previous seat is gone forever.
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Choose carefully—if you prefer the older seat, do NOT accept the new one (but this means exiting JoSAA).
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Check fees, institute preferences, and branch choices before making a decision.
I got allocated a seat of my preference in my choice list in a certain round and I am satisfied about the allotted program. I do not want to participate in further rounds of seat allocation. What should I do to keep the allocated seat?
If you are satisfied with the allotted seat and do not wish to participate in further rounds of seat allocation, you need to choose the option “Freeze” while accepting the seat and complete all the three steps of online reporting process.
Difference between Freeze, Float, Slide:
Freeze = Keep this seat, no further changes.
Float = Willing to take any higher-preferred institute/branch.
Slide = Willing to take a better branch in the same institute.
I got allocated and accepted a seat in a certain round. I would like to wait for further rounds of JoSAA to possibly get a better seat in my preference order in any Institute. What option do I need to choose in order to be considered for further rounds of JoSAA?
If you have accepted a seat in a certain round and would like to be considered for a seat of higher preference in any Institute, you need to choose the option of ‘Float’. Further, if you are allocated a seat of higher preference in a subsequent round of seat allocation, your earlier accepted seat will be automatically cancelled and you will have to accept the newly allocated seat. If you are not allocated a seat of higher preference in a subsequent round, you will continue in the already accepted seat and you will also be considered for seat allocation in any Institute (based on your preference in the choice list) in the subsequent rounds if you continue with the ‘Float’ option.
Difference between Freeze, Float, Slide:
Freeze = Keep this seat, no further changes.
Float = Willing to take any higher-preferred institute/branch.
Slide = Willing to take a better branch in the same institute.
I got allocated and accepted a seat in a certain round. I would like to wait for further rounds of JoSAA to possibly get a better seat in my preference order within the same Institute. What option do I need to choose in order to be considered for further rounds of JoSAA?
If you have accepted a seat in a certain round and would like to be considered for a seat of higher preference within the same Institute, you need to choose the option of ‘Slide’. Further, if you are allocated a seat of higher preference in a subsequent round of seat allocation, your earlier accepted seat will be automatically cancelled and you will have to accept the newly allocated seat. If you are not allocated a seat of higher preference in a subsequent round, you will continue in the already accepted seat and you will also be considered for seat allocation within the same Institute (based on your preference in the choice list) in the subsequent rounds if you continue with the ‘Slide’ option.
Difference between Freeze, Float, Slide:
Freeze = Keep this seat, no further changes.
Float = Willing to take any higher-preferred institute/branch.
Slide = Willing to take a better branch in the same institute.
I was allocated a seat in one of the previous rounds and I had chosen the option of Float/Slide for the choice of academic program for subsequent rounds. I do not wish to participate in further rounds of seat allocation. Can I change my option from Float/Slide to Freeze?
Except in the last round of seat allocation, you can change your option from float to slide/freeze and slide to freeze in the online portal.
I was allocated a seat in one of the previous rounds and I had chosen the option of Freeze for the choice of academic program for subsequent rounds. Can I change my option to Float/Slide in a subsequent round?
NO. You cannot change the option to float/slide if you choose the option ‘Freeze’ while accepting the allocated seat. Further, you will not be considered for seat allocation in subsequent rounds (if any) of JoSAA while your accepted seat remains allocated to you.
I have been allocated a seat in JoSAA for the first time. I have accepted the seat, uploaded the documents and chosen my willingness, but I have not yet paid my fees for an allocated seat. Will the allocated seat be confirmed to me by the reporting officials?
You MUST pay the seat acceptance fee and complete all the steps of the online reporting process in the same round of seat allocation for continuing with the JoSAA process to avail the seat in IITs or NIT+ system. Your allocated seat will be CANCELLED and you will no longer be able to participate in the subsequent rounds of seat allocation process (if any) if you do not complete all the steps of online reporting process including the payment of seat acceptance fee.
What happens if I do not complete all the steps of online reporting during a particular round of JoSAA in which I am allocated a seat for the first time?
Your allocated seat will be CANCELLED, and you will no longer be able to participate in the subsequent rounds of seat allocation process (if any) if you do not complete all the steps of online reporting process including the payment of seat acceptance fee.
I was allocated and confirmed a seat in a certain round in an IIT. I have now been allocated another seat of higher preference in my choice list in another IIT. Do I need to report again online?
NO, if you have already completed all the steps of online reporting process in a certain round in an IIT reporting centre and you have been allocated another seat of higher preference in your choice list in another IIT, you don’t have to repeat the online reporting process.
I was allocated and confirmed a seat in a certain round in an Institute of NIT+system. I have now been allocated another seat of higher preference in my choice list in another Institute of NIT+system. Do I need to report again online?
NO, if you have already completed all the steps of online reporting process in a certain round in reporting centre of NIT+system and you have been allocated another seat of higher preference in your choice list in another Institute of NIT+system, you don’t have to repeat the online reporting process.
I was allocated and confirmed a seat in an IIT in a certain round. I have now been allocated another seat for the first time in an Institute of NIT+system. Do I need to report again online?
YES. You must report online again. If you were allocated and confirmed a seat in an IIT in a certain round and are allocated another seat in an Institute of NIT+system for the first time, your documents and the eligibility criteria will be verified again by the NIT+system. You are advised to check for any queries raised by the admitting Institute of NIT+system by logging into the JoSAA portal and respond to the queries before the last date specified for the given round.
I was allocated and confirmed a seat in an Institute of NIT+system in a certain round. I have now been allocated another seat for the first time in an IIT. Do I need to report again online?
YES. You must report online again. If you were allocated and confirmed a seat in an Institute of NIT+system in a certain round and are allocated another seat in an IIT for the first time, your documents and the eligibility criteria will be verified again by the IITs. You are advised to check for any queries raised by the admitting IIT by logging into the JoSAA portal and respond to the queries before the last date specified for the given round.
I was allocated and confirmed a seat in a certain round. I am not interested in joining the allocated academic program. What should I do to be eligible for appearing in JEE (Advanced) in subsequent year?
If you were allocated and confirmed a seat in a certain round and you are not interested in joining the allocated academic program, you need to withdraw the seat before the last round of seat allocation to be eligible for appearing in JEE (Advanced) in subsequent year provided you meet all other eligibility criteria for that year. Note that withdrawal of the allocated seat will result in cancellation of the allocated seat, and you will be out of the JoSAA process for any further rounds of seat allocation (if any). You will not be able to withdraw the seat in the final (5th) round of seat allocation.
I am a JEE (Advanced) 2025 qualified PwD candidate and interested in taking admission in an IIT. What is the procedure for verification of my PwD status?
All JEE (Advanced) 2025 qualified PwD candidates, who DO NOT possess a valid UDID card indicating permanent disability, seeking to get a seat in IITs through JoSAA, are required to visit any of the IITs for physical verification along with a copy of the PwD certificate(s). The JEE (Advanced) 2025 qualified PwD candidates with a valid UDID card indicating permanent disability are NOT required to report physically for verification. However, even if the candidates have UDID card indicating permanent disability, they will be required to appear for physical verification if either (i) online verification of UDID card fails or (ii) the candidate was allotted seat in an academic program with special restrictions given in the JoSAA portal, they are required to appear for physical verification even if they have a UDID card indicating any other permanent disability.
I am a JEE (Advanced) 2025 qualified PwD candidate interested in taking admission in an IIT. I have opted for compensatory time and/or scribe in JEE (Mains) 2024. However, I did not opt for compensatory time and/or scribe in JEE (Advanced) 2024. What is the procedure for verification of my status?
If you DO NOT possess a valid UDID card indicating permanent disability, seeking to get a seat in IITs through JoSAA, you are required to visit any of the IITs for physical verification along with a copy of the PwD certificate(s). If you have a valid UDID card indicating permanent disability, you need not to report physically for verification. However, in case the online verification of UDID card fails or the candidate was allotted seat in an academic program with special restrictions given in the JoSAA portal, you are required to appear for physical verification even if you have a UDID card indicating any other permanent disability.
I am a JEE (Advanced) 2025 qualified candidate having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing interested in taking admission in an IIT. I have opted for compensatory time and/or scribe in JEE (Advanced) 2024. What is the procedure for verification of my disability status?
If you are interested in taking admission in an IIT, you are required to visit any of the IITs for physical verification of your “having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing” status along with the original copy of your “having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing” certificate. Please visit the online JoSAA portal, book an appointment at any of the IITs by choosing the date and time (FN/AN) and uploading the copy of the above mentioned certificate for the physical verification. Each JEE (Advanced) 2025 qualified “having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing” candidate is required to complete this process latest by the end of the counselling round in which they are allocated a seat (if any), failing which the allocated seat shall be cancelled. However, candidate “having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing” will not be eligible for GEN-PwD, GENEWS- PwD, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC-PwD, ST-PwD category seats.
I am a JEE (Advanced) 2025 qualified candidate “having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing” interested in taking admission in an IIT. I did not opt for compensatory time and/or scribe in JEE (Advanced) 2025. What is the procedure for verification of my disability status?
If you are a candidate “having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing”, but you have not opted for compensatory time and/or scribe in JEE (Advanced) 2025, physical verification is not necessary. Candidate “having less than 40% disability and having difficulty in writing” will not be eligible for GEN-PwD, GEN-EWS-PwD, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC-PwD, ST-PwD category seats.
I am an OCI/PIO card holder, and I mistakenly entered my nationality as Indian while filling up the forms. Can I change my nationality in JoSAA portal and if I change, what are its implications?
You can change the nationality in JoSAA portal from Indian to OCI/PIO card holder. After the change in the nationality status, you are eligible for the seats in IITs under GEN or GEN-PwD category only. If your allocated seat is other than OPEN or OPEN-PwD, then the currently allocated seat will be CANCELLED. Such candidate(s) will be considered for seat allocation in the subsequent round(s) of seat allocation (if any) for IITs under OPEN category of seats provided you (a) produce a proof of valid OCI/PIO card (issued before 04.03.2021), (b) meet all other eligibility criteria for qualifying for JEE (Advanced) 2025 in GEN category or GEN-PwD category.
I am an OCI/PIO card holder, and I mistakenly entered my nationality as Foreigner while filling up the forms. Can I change my nationality in JoSAA portal and if I change, what are its implications?
You can change the nationality in JoSAA portal from foreigner to OCI/PIO card holder. After the change in the nationality status, you are eligible for the seats in IITs under GEN category only. Your currently allocated seat (if any) will be CANCELLED, and you will be considered for seat allocation in the subsequent round(s) of seat allocation (if any) for IITs under OPEN category of seats, provided you (a) produce a proof of valid OCI/PIO card (issued before 04.03.2021), (b) meet all other eligibility criteria for qualifying for JEE (Advanced) 2025 in GEN category.
I am an Indian citizen, and I mistakenly entered my nationality as an OCI/PIO holder while filling up the forms. Can I change my nationality to Indian in JoSAA portal and if I change, what are its implications?
You can change the nationality in JoSAA portal from OCI/PIO card holder to Indian. After the change in the nationality status, you are eligible for the seats in IITs under GEN or GEN-PwD category only. Your currently allocated seat (if any) will be CANCELLED, and you will be considered for seat allocation in the subsequent round(s) of seat allocation (if any) for IITs under OPEN/OPEN-PwD category of seats, provided you (a) produce a proof of Indian nationality, (b) meet all other eligibility criteria for Indian Nationals including satisfying the JEE (Main) 2025 cut-off marks for qualifying for JEE (Advanced) 2025 in GEN/GEN-PwD category.
I am an Indian citizen, and I mistakenly entered my nationality as a foreigner while filling up the forms. Can I change my nationality to Indian in JoSAA portal and if I change, what are its implications?
You can change the nationality in JoSAA portal from foreign national to Indian. After the change in the nationality status, you are eligible for the seats in IITs under GEN category only. Your currently allocated seat (if any) will be cancelled, and you will be considered for seat allocation in the subsequent round(s) of seat allocation (if any) for IITs under OPEN category of seats, provided you (a) produce a proof of Indian nationality, (b) meet all other eligibility criteria for Indian Nationals including satisfying the JEE (Main) 2025 cut-off marks for qualifying for JEE (Advanced) 2025 in GEN category.
I am a Foreigner, and I mistakenly entered my nationality as Indian or OCI/PIO card holder while filling up the forms. Can I change my nationality in JoSAA portal and if I change, what are its implications?
You can change the nationality in JoSAA portal from Indian or OCI/PIO card holder to foreigner. After the change in the nationality status, you are eligible for the seats in IITs under GEN category only. The female candidate will not get the benefit of female supernumerary seats. Your currently allocated seat (if any) will be cancelled. Such candidate(s) will be considered for seat allocation in the subsequent round(s) of seat allocation (if any) based on updated credentials as a Foreign candidate, provided candidate produces a proof of passport/certificate of nationality.
I was NOT allocated a seat during the first 4 Rounds of JoSAA. However, I got allocated a seat in an IIT in the 5th (last) Round of JoSAA. If I do not join the allocated seat, am I eligible for appearing for JEE Advanced next year?
If you are allocated a seat in an IIT for the first time in the 5th (last) round of JoSAA, you need to either complete the online reporting process of JoSAA or report to the admitting Institute (including payment of seat acceptance fee) to confirm your seat. If you do not complete the reporting process, you will be eligible for appearing in JEE (Advanced) in the subsequent year provided you meet all other eligibility requirements.
I was allocated a seat in one of the Rounds from 1st to 5th Round of JoSAA; however, I am not interested in pursuing the allotted branch. If I exit at this stage, will I be automatically considered for NITs?
If you are not interested in pursuing the allotted branch, you need to withdraw your seat before the last round of seat allocation. If you withdraw your seat, you will NOT be considered for seat allocation for admission to ANY of the Institutes through JoSAA. Only those candidates who are not allocated a seat can exit from the seat allocation process by online reporting starting from the 2nd round and up to the 5th round of seat allocation.
Will there be any spot round of seat allocation at any of the IITs after the completion of the 5th round of seat allocation?
NO. There will be no spot round of seat allocation at any of the IITs after the completion of the 5th round of seat allocation.