Quick answer
CSAB special rounds fill NIT, IIIT and GFTI seats (not IITs) that are still vacant after the last JoSAA round. In 2026 there were two special rounds, run on csab.nic.in from late July. Everyone must register and fill choices afresh, including students who already have a JoSAA seat and want a better one, and pay a Special Round Enrolment Fee, against which any JoSAA seat acceptance fee already paid is adjusted.
Who can take part
Anyone eligible for NIT+ seats on their JEE Main rank, including those who:
- did not register for JoSAA at all;
- registered but got no seat, or used the Exit option;
- lost a seat for not paying the seat acceptance fee or the partial admission fee, or after failed document verification;
- withdrew from an IIT or NIT+ seat, or took admission at an IIT;
- already secured admission at a NIT+ institute through JoSAA and want to try for a better seat.
How the special rounds work
- CSAB publishes the vacant seats after JoSAA ends.
- Register afresh on csab.nic.in and pay the Special Round Enrolment Fee. Your JoSAA registration and choices do not carry over.
- Fill new choices from the vacant seats you are eligible for, in your order of preference.
- Seats are allotted in two rounds; accept and complete document verification as instructed.
- If you get a CSAB seat while holding a JoSAA NIT+ seat, the new seat replaces it; read the CSAB brochure for refund and withdrawal rules before you register.
Seats vacant after JoSAA are often at newer NITs, IIITs and GFTIs, and in Home State quotas that did not fill. Use cutoffs by branch and the college predictor to see which programmes closed near your rank, and keep state counselling as a parallel option.
Are IIT seats offered in CSAB?
No. CSAB special rounds are only for vacant seats in NITs, IIITs and GFTIs. There is no special round for IITs.
Do I need to register again for CSAB?
Yes. Your JoSAA registration and choices are not used; you register and fill choices afresh on csab.nic.in.
Can I join CSAB if I already have a NIT seat from JoSAA?
Yes, if you secured admission through JoSAA you can take part to try for a better seat. Read the CSAB brochure on what happens to your current seat and fees first.