Quick answer
Freeze: keep this seat and leave counselling. Float: keep this seat, but move to any higher choice on your list (any institute) if it opens up. Slide: keep this seat, but move only to a higher-preference branch in the same institute. If you got your first choice, only Freeze is offered. Float and Slide are not available in the last round, and Freeze can never be undone.
Which option should I choose?
The three options compared
| Freeze | Float | Slide | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keeps the current seat | Yes | Yes, until a higher choice is allotted | Yes, until a higher branch in the same institute is allotted |
| Considered in later rounds | No | Yes, for all higher choices | Yes, only for higher choices in the same institute |
| Can be changed later | Never | To Slide or Freeze (not in the last round) | To Freeze (not in the last round) |
| Available when | Always | Not for a first-choice seat, not in the last round | Not for a first-choice seat, not in the last round |
Rules students miss
- You must accept with one of the options and pay the seat acceptance fee, or the seat is treated as rejected and you are out of later rounds.
- An upgrade replaces your seat automatically. If Float or Slide gives you a higher choice, your old seat is gone. Rejecting the new seat ends your JoSAA process.
- Not in the last round: Float and Slide are not available, so whatever you hold then is final for JoSAA.
- CSAB special rounds after JoSAA are a separate process with fresh registration: see CSAB.
Back to the full JoSAA counselling guide or build your list with the choice-list builder.
What is the difference between Float and Slide in JoSAA?
Float lets you move to any higher choice on your list in any institute. Slide lets you move only to a higher-preference programme within the institute where you already have a seat.
Can I change Freeze to Float?
No. Freeze is permanent. You can change Float to Slide or Freeze, and Slide to Freeze, in any round except the last.
Will I lose my seat if I choose Float?
Only if you get a higher choice, which then replaces it automatically. If nothing better comes, you keep your current seat.
Why can I only see Freeze?
Because you were allotted your first choice, so there is nothing higher to move to, or because it is the last round.