Overview

DASA 2026 Admissions: Comprehensive Guide for International Students to CFTIs

Multiple Streams

Keshav Laddha

Updated on April 21, 2026

Latest Updates

11 Jun, 2026: DASA UG & CSAB Special Round: Engineering Admission Schedule Out, Registration July 28
The detailed schedule for DASA UG and CSAB Special Round 2026 engineering admissions has been released. Registration and choice-filling for both processes will commence on July 28, 2026. Physical reporting at allotted institutes is scheduled from August 13 to August 18, 2026.

08 Jun, 2026: DASA UG, CSAB Special Rounds 2026 Counselling Dates & Full Schedule Released
The JEE Apex board has released the counselling dates for DASA UG and CSAB Special Rounds 2026 on csab.nic.in. Registration for both processes begins July 28, 2026, with physical reporting tentatively scheduled from August 13 to 18, 2026.

19 May, 2026: DASA Admissions: Gulf Students Face Uncertainty
Gulf students applying for DASA admissions are currently facing uncertainty regarding their application status. This situation is reported despite many candidates achieving strong scores in the JEE Main examination. Students are advised to monitor official updates.

18 May, 2026: DASA 2025 Round 3 Cutoff Released: Check Branch-wise Ranks
The DASA 2025 Round 3 cutoff has been officially released for admissions. This crucial update allows candidates to check the detailed branch-wise opening and closing ranks. Aspirants can use this information to assess their admission prospects.

For international students and NRIs aspiring to pursue undergraduate engineering degrees in India's premier Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs), the Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme offers a dedicated pathway. This highly sought-after program opens doors to institutions like NITs and IIITs, providing world-class technical education. Navigating the DASA 2026 admissions process requires clear understanding and preparation. This comprehensive guide details everything from eligibility and application steps to fee structures, top colleges, and cutoffs.

DASA 2026 Application Process: Mode, Fees & Basic Requirements

The DASA 2026 application process is conducted entirely online, and candidates must complete the registration through the official portal. Before applying, applicants should ensure that all eligibility conditions are met and required documents are prepared.

Candidates are advised to use supported browsers and carefully follow document upload instructions to avoid rejection during verification.

Particular	Details
Mode of Application	Online Only
Official Website	dasanit.org
Recommended Browsers	Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox
Registration Fee	USD 300 (Non-refundable)
Payment Modes	SWIFT, NEFT, RTGS, Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI
Document Upload Format	JPG / JPEG
Maximum File Size	Less than 500 KB

This section gives candidates a quick overview of the technical requirements needed for successful registration.

DASA 2026 Photograph & Signature Specifications

Candidates applying for DASA 2026 must upload clear and properly formatted images of their photograph and signature. Incorrect file size or format may lead to rejection of the application form.

Item	Specifications
Photograph Type	Recent passport-size colour photo
Photo Size	3.5 cm × 3.5 cm
Photo Format	JPG
Photo File Size	Less than 100 KB
Signature Type	Scanned signature on white paper
Ink Colour	Black or Blue
Signature Format	JPG
Signature File Size	Less than 100 KB

Candidates should ensure the images are clear, visible, and properly cropped.

DASA 2026 Required Documents List (General & NRI Candidates)

Applicants must upload several academic and identity documents while completing the DASA 2026 application form. These documents verify eligibility and academic qualifications.

Document	Remarks
Candidate’s Passport	First and last page with validity
Proof of Date of Birth	Class X certificate or birth certificate
Class X Mark Sheet	Pass certificate required
Class XI Mark Sheet	Annual/Semester marks
Class XII Mark Sheet	Final certificate or undertaking
Study Certificate (NRI)	Proof of studying abroad for 2 years
Percentage/CGPA Equivalence Certificate	Required if grading differs
JEE Main 2026 Scorecard	Mandatory for UG admissions
OCI / PIO Card	If applicable
AIU Equivalence Certificate	Required if board not recognized
Proof of Fee Payment	For online/SWIFT payment

Special Note: Nepali nationals without passports may use authenticated citizenship cards.

DASA 2026 CIWG Category Documents (Parent Documents)

Candidates applying under the CIWG (Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries) category must upload additional parent-related documents. These documents confirm employment and residency status in Gulf countries.

Document	Remarks
Parent’s Passport	First and last page copy
Parent’s Visa	Must be valid during 2026
Parent’s Work Permit / Residency Permit	Valid permit required
Employment Certificate	Issued by employer
Parent’s Passport-size Photograph	Subject to brochure confirmation

Important: Parent’s visa or work permit must remain valid at any time during the year 2026.

DASA 2026 Cutoffs: JEE Main Rank Trends for Top Branches

Admission through the DASA 2026 is based on JEE Main 2026 ranks. Each participating institute releases branch-wise cutoff ranks after every round of counseling.

Although official DASA 2026 cutoffs are yet to be released, previous-year data helps students estimate admission chances into top engineering branches such as Computer Science, Data Science, and Electronics.

Previous Year DASA & CIWG Cutoff (Round 1 – 2025)

Inst. Code	Institute Name	Branch	Category	First Rank	Last Rank
201	Dr B R Ambedkar NIT, Jalandhar	CSE	DASA	790430	790430
201	Dr B R Ambedkar NIT, Jalandhar	CSE	CIWG	230550	411868
201	Dr B R Ambedkar NIT, Jalandhar	Data Science	CIWG	478108	721091
201	Dr B R Ambedkar NIT, Jalandhar	ECE	CIWG	538007	610596
201	Dr B R Ambedkar NIT, Jalandhar	Mechanical	CIWG	627018	627018
202	Malaviya NIT Jaipur	Chemical	CIWG	647828	647828
202	Malaviya NIT Jaipur	CSE	DASA	134164	185238

Note: Cutoff ranks vary yearly depending on exam difficulty, seat availability, and number of applicants.

DASA vs CIWG 2026: Eligibility, Fees & Admission Comparison

The DASA 2026 and CIWG categories follow similar admission processes but differ in eligibility and fee structure.

Understanding these differences helps candidates select the appropriate admission category.

Criteria	DASA	CIWG
Eligibility	NRI, PIO, OCI worldwide	Children of Indian workers in Gulf countries
Eligible Countries	Worldwide	Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Academic Qualification	10+2 with PCM	Same as DASA
Admission Basis	JEE Main Rank	JEE Main Rank
No. of Seats	~3931	~1541 Reserved
Fee Structure	~$8000 per year	~₹1.25 lakh per year
Seat Reservation	~15% seats	5% within DASA
Institutes	NITs, IIITs, SPAs, CFTIs	Same as DASA
Tuition Fee Waiver	No	Yes (Indian-level fee)
Counseling Process	Centralized	Same with reserved seats

Important Insight: Students under the CIWG category typically pay significantly lower fees compared to regular DASA candidates, resulting in major cost savings across four years.

Essential Documents for DASA 2026 Application & Verification

Candidates applying through DASA 2026 must upload scanned copies of all required documents during registration.

All files must be self-attested, and the candidate’s name must remain consistent across all documents.

Document	Remarks
Candidate Passport	First and last page required
Proof of Date of Birth	Class X certificate or birth certificate
Class X Mark Sheet	Pass certificate required
Class XI Mark Sheet	Where applicable
Class XII Mark Sheet	Final certificate required
Study Certificate	Required for NRI candidates
CGPA/Percentage Certificate	If grading differs
JEE Main Scorecard	Mandatory
OCI / PIO Card	If applicable
AIU Equivalence Certificate	If qualification is foreign

Important: Mismatch in candidate name across documents may lead to rejection.

Additional Documents for CIWG Candidates

Document	Remarks
Parent Passport	First & last page
Parent Visa	Must be valid in 2026
Work Permit / Residency Permit	Valid Gulf permit
Employment Certificate	Issued by employer