A centralised admission process, the JoSAA Counselling procedure helps engineering aspirants to enter a top engineering institute in India. The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA), set up by The Ministry of Education, monitors the JoSAA Counselling process every year. It will be the same in 2026.
The JoSAA Counselling 2026 process consists of as many as 6 rounds that will help candidates get a seat allotted to them to a specific engineering institute based on their ranking, merit and other factors. Know about Round 4 and Round 5 – the final rounds of the JoSAA Counselling 2026.
JoSAA Counselling 2026: Round 4
The JoSAA Counselling 2026 Round 4 will start with the announcement of the seat allocation results. This will happen on 10th July, 2026. The process after results announcement includes:
Online Reporting
Candidates who get a seat allotted to them in this round have to complete all the formalities of online reporting between 10th and 13th July 2026, up to 5:00 PM IST. Irrespective of your chosen option, you have to finish the reporting process within the specified timeline as an allotted candidate. Do not be under the misassumption that this step is only applicable for aspirants who choose the Freeze option.
First, you have to pay the seat acceptance fee online.
Fee Payment
Following this, they have to pay the mandatory Seat Acceptance Fee. The last date for payment is 13th July, 2026, by 5 PM. If candidates come across any payment-related issues, they can resolve them until 14th July 2026 by 5:00 PM. This date gives them the final chance to withdraw or exit from their allotted seats in IITs and IISc.
During the verification process, they have to respond to any queries raised to them. They need to answer promptly and correctly. By 15th July, 2026, 5:00 PM, candidates have to respond to any queries related to document verification and withdrawal.
Making a Choice
Fee payment will open up the rest of the options on the official JoSAA portal. You have to choose your preferred option – Freeze, Float or Slide, from the dashboard.
You have to pick any of the 3 options after you see the results. With this important decision, you can decide whether or not your JoSAA counselling process will go on or come to an end.
· Freeze: If you feel completely satisfied with the institute and programme allotted to you, you should pick this option. You can lock your seat permanently. It will make you exit any further counselling or reporting round. It will take you straight to the physical reporting stage at the institute.
· Float: If you want an upgrade, this should be your option. Select this if you wish to keep your existing seat as a backup as well as keep options open for a better seat at a better institute. You can automatically stay in Round 5. JoSAA will substitute your existing seat by allotting you seat at any better institute while allowing you to keep the backup.
· Slide: If you are looking for a better branch, go for this one. If you prefer the allotted institute but prefer a seat at a better branch, select the Slide option. You can continue to study in the same institute. Based on your original preference order, JoSAA will upgrade your branch in Round 5.
There is only one round left after Round 4. Even then, it can be a good choice to go with the Float option, unless you have already chosen your genuine first preference. Keep in mind that if you choose Freeze, you also need to be physically present at the allotted institute. For verification purposes, you must take along all your original documents.
Documents Upload
Next, you have to upload all the necessary documents in a proper format before the specified deadline. Upload all the necessary documents at the official portal for JoSAA. These include:
JEE Main 2026 Admit Card
JEE Main 2026 scorecard
Round 4 seat allotment letter (which can be downloaded from the portal itself)
JEE Advanced 2026 rank card, for IIT allotments
JEE Advanced 2026 admit card
Class 10 marksheet and certificate,
Class 12 marksheet and certificate,
Passport-size photographs (at least 6 copies), and
Aadhaar card or any other valid photo ID issued by the Govt. of India
Doing everything in a proper way will help them to end the Round 4 admission process with success.
JoSAA Counselling 2026: Round 5
Round 5 marks the final round for seat allocation for IITs and IISc. The announcement for seat allotment will commence on 16th July, 2026, at 5 PM. Candidates who get their seats allotted in this round have to complete their online reporting process. This will include:
Seat Acceptance Fee Payment
The seat acceptance fee should be paid immediately. Unless it is paid within the stipulated deadline, the allotted seat may be forfeited. Candidates can resolve issues related to fee payment and pending verification until 21st July, 2026, 5:00 PM IST.
Document upload
During JoSAA counselling Round 5, candidates are supposed to upload documents like:
· JEE Main Admit Card
· JEE Advanced Admit Card (for IIT admissions)
· JEE Main Score Card
· JEE Advanced Rank Card
· Class 10 Certificate
· Class 12 Mark Sheet and Certificate
· Category Certificate (if applicable)
· PwD Certificate (if applicable)
· EWS Certificate (if applicable)
· Government Approved ID Proof
· Passport Size Photographs
· Seat Acceptance Fee Payment Receipt
· Seat Allotment Letter
It is essential to check whether all the details in the documents to be uploaded match the information that is submitted during registration for the counselling process. If there is any mismatch, it should immediately be corrected through the concerned authorities.
Filling of choices
If candidates fill up their choices poorly, it may have a negative impact on the seat allotted to them ultimately. Any negligence can lead to delays in getting an approval or admission itself may get rejected outright.
Responses to verification queries must be made between 16th July and 20th July, 2026 (up to 5:00 PM IST). Completing all formalities will mark the end of the JoSAA counselling final round as well as the JoSAA counselling process.
Under Round 5, the withdrawal process will stay open from 16th July to 20th July, 2026 for candidates who take part in the NIT+ System. Following this, candidates who get seats allotted through the NIT+ System have to finish paying the Partial Admission Fee (PAF) between 22nd July and 24th July, 2026.
FAQ
1. Where to get official announcements and updates about the JoSAA counselling rounds?
The official portal for JoSAA is the most reliable resource for details and updates regarding the JoSAA counselling rounds.
2. How many JoSAA counselling rounds are there in total?
In total, there are JoSAA counselling rounds. However, if you lock your choice in any round, you can avoid appearing for the subsequent rounds.
3. Who monitors the JoSAA counselling rounds?
The JoSAA counselling rounds in 2026, as in case of all other years, are monitored by the same body - The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA).
4. Where can I get the results for each of the JoSAA counselling rounds?
You have to check the official portal for JoSAA and use your application credentials with password to check the results each time.
5. Is Round 5 absolutely final?
Yes. It is the final chance for seat allotment and branch upgrades before the end of the JoSAA counselling process.
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