JoSAA Choice Filling 2026: Step by Step Guide to Fill JoSAA Counselling Choices

Quick Summary: JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) choice filling is a key step in the counselling process for admissions to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other government-funded technical institutes (GFTIs). Registered candidates must list their preferred institutes and courses in order, which JoSAA uses for seat allotment. The JoSAA 2026 choice filling is expected to begin with registration on June 2, 2026, at josaa.nic.in. This article covers useful JoSAA choice-filling tips, the complete process, and important things to consider while selecting institutes and branches.

JoSAA Choice Filling 2026: The JoSAA 2026 choice filling will be conducted currently with JoSAA registration, which is expected to be scheduled to commence on June 2, on the official website (idioms website) at josaa.nic.in. After registering on JoSAA, candidates can log in to the counselling portal and begin with their choice filling of colleges and branches.

How to Fill Choices in JoSAA Counselling 2026

The JoSAA 2026 choice filling process is a key step in JoSAA counselling for admission into IITs, NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. Candidates can select multiple institutes and branches based on their preferences in the process of JoSAA 2026 choice filling. But when everything is offered, it’s natural for people to get confused about the order of things. If you have any confusion in filling choices during JoSAA Counselling or are simply looking for some JoSAA 2026 choice-filling tips, follow the guiding principle, i.e., interest, fee, placements, ROI, location, and JEE Main/Advanced Rank.

Do not randomly fill up choices in the JoSAA choice filling 2026 plan. After registering with JoSAA, you need to enter the choices for JoSAA seat allotment. This is a crucial step, as after the choices are locked, they can’t be edited during the JoSAA counselling period. However, before locking, you can edit and rearrange your choices as many times as needed. In this article, you’ll find helpful JoSAA choice-filling tips, details about the JoSAA choice-filling process, important factors to keep in mind while choosing, and everything you need to know about JoSAA 2026 choice-filling.

Read More:

• JoSAA Counselling 2026 Schedule – Check Dates, Registration, Cutoff, Eligibility, Documents, Fees, Seat Allotment, Choice Filling
• JEE Advanced Rank Wise Colleges List – Check Top Colleges Based on Your Rank
• IIT Bombay Cutoff 2026: JEE Advanced Marks & Rank Required for IIT Bombay

What is JoSAA Choice Filling?

To put it in simple words, JoSAA choice filling is the process where students select the institutes and branches they are willing to get admission in with the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA). In this process, candidates who are registered for JoSAA counselling are required to select their choice of desired IITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, as well as their preferred programs/branches. These choices must be listed in order of preference and should be made smartly. Once the choices are locked, they cannot be changed during the entire JoSAA counselling process. So, it’s advised that students only select those colleges and branches they are genuinely ready to join.

Colleges Participating in JoSAA Counselling 2026

In JoSAA Counselling 2026, 138 colleges and 700-plus branches will be there for the candidates to take admissions. These include:

• 24 IITs
• 26 IIITs
• 32 NITs
• 56 GFTIs

Every college that takes part has a differentiating factor, in terms of its campuses, faculty, or placement history. That is why it becomes necessary to place a reasonable preference order while choosing the colleges and the branches during the JoSAA 2026 choice-filling period. This advice may help you plan smartly.

What factors should you consider for JoSAA choice filling?

You need to focus on the following points before freezing your options in JoSAA counselling:

• Your rank/score of JEE Advanced and JEE Main.
• Your gender, category, and whether any sort of quota applies
• The requisite cutoffs of various colleges to increase your probability of selection
• Your location or city of choice
• The institute’s campus and facilities (if that’s your thing)

Considering all these points seriously will help you in making good and informed decisions in JoSAA choice filling 2026.

Check Out: JEE Advanced Marks vs Rank 2026 Criteria 

JoSAA Choice Filling – Step-by-Step Guide to Fill JoSAA Seat Choices

Here are some simple steps to fill in your JoSAA seat choices correctly:

Step 1: Log in to the JoSAA Portal

Log in with your JEE Main 2026 application number and password on the official JoSAA 2026 portal.

Step 2: Open the Choice Filling Link

After the login, you will have to search for and click the JoSAA choice filling link. You will need to confirm your identity by entering the OTP you receive on your registered phone number.

Step 3: Adding and Arranging the Choices

Once verified, you will see:

• How many selections can you make
• Full list of available institutes and courses
• A search bar to search for specific institutes or categories

Add choices to your list by clicking the “Add” button. On the right side of the screen, selected preferences would be displayed. You can add items in whatever order you want or just (just in case definition) select them randomly and arrange them afterwards.

Beside each option, you have:

• Remove: delete an option from your list
• Up: move a choice up in the preference order
• Down: Move a choice lower

You can shuffle the choices as many times as you desire till the JoSAA choice locking date.

Step 4: Save Your Choices at Regular Intervals

Don’t forget to save the choices made! You can make changes, but if you don’t save them, they will be lost.

Step 5: Lock Your Choices

If you are very confident about the selections and order of admissions, then lock them as per the JoSAA counseling timetable. Remember, you can’t take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) your choices back once you’ve locked them in.

Step 6: Print Your List of Choices

Once you are done locking, take a print of your JoSAA choice filling list, save it for reference.

Check Out: List of IIT Colleges and Courses Available Within 5000 to 10,000 Rank in JEE Advanced 2026

JoSAA Choice Filling 2026 – How to Manage & Lock Your Choices

Candidates can also edit and organise their choices of JoSAA 2026 after they have filled in their preferences, before locking. This means you can freely rearrange or remove choices as many times as you like until the official JoSAA choice locking deadline. You can update your preference order by changing the choice numbers, swapping one option with another, or even deleting multiple choices at once using the bulk delete feature. If you wish to keep your list clean and organized as your priority, this will be helpful.

Keep in mind that all the corrections need to be made before the last date as recorded in the JoSAA Schedule. After the Choices are locked, they cannot be changed in any further rounds of JoSAA counselling. Also, keep in mind that your seat allotment in each round of JoSAA counselling will depend on the final choices you filled and locked.

What Happens After JoSAA 2026 Choice Filling is completed?

Once you’ve filled and finalized your choices in the JoSAA 2026 choice-filling process, the next important step is seat allotment. Seat allotment results will be uploaded to your JosAA login page. To view the result, you have to log in with your JEE Main 2026 application number and JoSAA 2026 password.

Your JEE Main or JEE Advanced rank, your category, and the choices that you entered during the JoSAA choice filling are considered while allotting a seat.

Understanding the seat allocation and locking options

On receiving the seat allotment, the candidate has to accept the seat and choose from the options below to proceed with the academic program, in subsequent rounds of JoSAA counselling (if any):

• Freeze – to lock the seat and not participate in more rounds
• Slide – in search of a better branch opening in the same institute
• Float – opt for a higher preference in another institute while retaining the existing seat

These preferences will help in the subsequent rounds of joint seat allocations.

Option	What It Means	Upgradation Allowed	Further Rounds?	When to Choose
Freeze	You’re locking your seat. No changes, no upgrades.	❌ No	❌ No	Choose this if you’re 100% happy with both the college & branch.
Slide	You accept the college but want a better branch in the same college.	Yes (Same Institute)	✅ Yes	Pick this if you like the college but want a higher branch.
Float	You accept the seat but are open to better options in other colleges.	Yes (Any Institute)	✅ Yes	Ideal if you’re okay with the current seat, but aiming higher.

JoSAA Choice Filling 2026 Preference Order of Top IITs

To begin with, IITs should be placed at the top of the preference list. A commonly followed order is:

Sr. No.	Code	Institute Name	Established
1	101	Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar	2008
2	102	Indian Institute of Technology Bombay	1958
3	103	Indian Institute of Technology Mandi	2009
4	104	Indian Institute of Technology Delhi	1961
5	105	Indian Institute of Technology Indore	2009
6	106	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	1951
7	107	Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad	2008
8	108	Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur	2008
9	109	Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur	1959
10	110	Indian Institute of Technology Madras	1959
11	111	Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar	2008
12	112	Indian Institute of Technology Patna	2008
13	113	Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee	1847
14	114	Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad	1926
15	115	Indian Institute of Technology Ropar	2008
16	116	Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi	1919
17	117	Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati	1994
18	118	Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai	2016
19	119	Indian Institute of Technology Goa	2016
20	120	Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad	2015
21	121	Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati	2015
22	122	Indian Institute of Technology Jammu	2016
23	123	Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad	2016
24	124	Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore	1909

Check Out: List of Top IIT Colleges in India Based on NIRF Ranking 2026

JoSAA Choice Filling 2026 Top Preferences in NITs

Some NITs are extremely reputed and are usually selected in the following sequence:

Sr. No.	Code	Institute Name	Established
1	201	Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar	1987
2	202	Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur	1963
3	203	Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal	1960
4	204	Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad	1961
5	205	National Institute of Technology Agartala	1965
6	206	National Institute of Technology Calicut	1961
7	207	National Institute of Technology Delhi	2010
8	208	National Institute of Technology Durgapur	1960
9	209	National Institute of Technology Goa	2010
10	210	National Institute of Technology Hamirpur	1986
11	211	National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal	1960
12	212	National Institute of Technology Meghalaya	2010
13	213	National Institute of Technology Nagaland	2010
14	214	National Institute of Technology Patna	1886
15	215	National Institute of Technology Puducherry	2010
16	216	National Institute of Technology Raipur	1956
17	217	National Institute of Technology Sikkim	2010
18	218	National Institute of Technology Arunachal Pradesh	2010
19	219	National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur	1960
20	220	National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra	1963
21	221	National Institute of Technology Manipur	2010
22	222	National Institute of Technology Mizoram	2010
23	223	National Institute of Technology Rourkela	1961
24	224	National Institute of Technology Silchar	1967
25	225	National Institute of Technology Srinagar	1960
26	226	National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli	1964
27	227	National Institute of Technology Uttarakhand	2009
28	228	National Institute of Technology Warangal	1959
29	229	Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat	1961
30	230	Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur	1960
31	231	National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh	2015
32	232	Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur	1856

Check Out: List of Top NIT Colleges in India – NIRF 2026 Ranking, Fees, Admission 

JoSAA Choice Filling 2026 Order of IIITs

For top-rated branches like CSE and ECE, certain IIITs are often preferred even over some NITs. For example:

Sr. No.	Code	Institute Name	Established
1	301	Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management, Gwalior	1997
2	302	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Kota, Rajasthan	2013
3	303	Indian Institute of Information Technology Guwahati	2013
4	304	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Kalyani, West Bengal	2014
5	305	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Sonepat, Haryana	2014
6	306	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Una, Himachal Pradesh	2014
7	307	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Sri City, Chittoor	2013
8	308	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Vadodara, Gujarat	2013
9	309	Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad	1999
10	310	Indian Institute of Information Technology Design & Manufacturing, Kancheepuram	2007
11	311	Pt. Dwarka Prasad Mishra, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design & Manufacture, Jabalpur	2005
12	313	Indian Institute of Information Technology, Senapati, Manipur	2015
13	314	Indian Institute of Information Technology Tiruchirappalli	2013
14	315	Indian Institute of Information Technology Lucknow	2015
15	316	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Dharwad	2015
16	317	Indian Institute of Information Technology Design & Manufacturing Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh	2015
17	318	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Kottayam	2015
18	319	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Ranchi	2016
19	320	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Nagpur	2016
20	321	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Pune	2016
21	322	Indian Institute of Information Technology Bhagalpur	2017
22	323	Indian Institute of Information Technology Bhopal	2017
23	324	Indian Institute of Information Technology Surat	2017
24	325	Indian Institute of Information Technology Agartala	2018
25	326	Indian Institute of Information Technology Raichur, Karnataka	2019
26	327	Indian Institute of Information Technology Vadodara International Campus Diu (IIITV-ICD)	2020

JoSAA Choice Filling 2026 Order of GFTI

Many GFTIs offer a limited number of branches or have specific locations. Some notable ones include:

Sr. No.	Code	Institute Name	Established
1	401	Assam University, Silchar	1994
2	402	Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi	1955
3	403	Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar	1902
4	404	Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, Bhadohi	2001
5	405	Institute of Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Management (IITRAM), Ahmedabad	2013
6	406	School of Studies of Engineering and Technology, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur	1983
7	407	J.K. Institute of Applied Physics & Technology, University of Allahabad	1956
8	408	NIELIT Aurangabad	1987
9	409	National Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (NIAMT), Ranchi	1966
10	410	Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology	1989
11	411	Mizoram University, Aizawl	2001
12	412	School of Engineering, Tezpur University	1994
13	413	School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal	2008
14	414	School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi	1941
15	415	School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada	2008
16	416	Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra	1999
17	420	International Institute of Information Technology, Naya Raipur	2013
18	421	University of Hyderabad	1974
19	422	Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh	1921
20	423	Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi	1969
21	424	International Institute of Information Technology, Bhubaneswar	2006
22	425	Central Institute of Technology Kokrajhar	2006
23	426	Puducherry Technological University	1984
24	427	Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering and Technology, Malda	2010
25	428	Central University of Rajasthan	2009
26	430	NIFTEM, Kundli	2012
27	431	NIFTEM, Thanjavur	1967
28	432	North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST)	1984
29	433	Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Varanasi	1956
30	434	Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University, Bhilai	2005
31	435	Institute of Chemical Technology IOC Odisha Campus, Bhubaneswar	2018
32	436	North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong	1973
33	437	Central University of Jammu	2011
34	438	Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dr. H. S. Gour University, Sagar	1946
35	439	Central University of Haryana	2009
36	440	Birla Institute of Technology, Deoghar Campus	2007
37	441	Birla Institute of Technology, Patna Campus	2006
38	442	Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Salem	1960
39	443	Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara	2018
40	444	CU Jharkhand (Central University of Jharkhand)	2009
41	445	NIELIT Ropar	1995
42	446	NIELIT Patna	2004
43	447	NIELIT Ajmer	2005
44	448	NIELIT Gorakhpur	2015
45	449	Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University, Amethi	2013
46	450	Islamic University of Science and Technology, Kashmir	2005
47	451	Shri G. S. Institute of Technology and Science, Indore	1952
48	452	NITTTR Bhopal	1965
49	453	Central University of Karnataka	2009
50	454	NIELIT Agartala	2009
51	455	NIELIT Aizawl	2001
52	456	NIELIT Imphal	1988
53	457	NIELIT Calicut	1989
54	458	NIELIT Kohima	2004
55	459	NIELIT Srinagar	2013
56	460	Central University of Punjab, Bathinda	2009

10 Smart Tips for JoSAA Choice Filling 2026

Filling choices in JoSAA 2026 counselling is a crucial step. Use these tips to increase your chances of getting the best course and institute:

1. Check Your Rank Range: Use JoSAA mock allotments and past opening/closing ranks to understand where you stand and shortlist realistic options.
2. Set Preferences Smartly: Always list your choices in strict preference order. Put dream options first, followed by safer backups.
3. Use the JoSAA Simulator Tool: Try different college-branch combos with the choice-filling tool to explore new possibilities that suit your rank.
4. Fill Maximum Choices: The more the better, so fill as many eligible branches and institutes as you can to increase your chance of getting a seat.
5. Don’t Depend on One Option: Even if you have a favourite, list alternate branches or colleges as a backup.
6. Research Institutes Well: Get a complete view of the above criteria and more: fees, placement, campus life, and NIRF rankings before selecting your list.
7. Prioritise Your Interests: If you are certain about a branch, go for it throughout college. Otherwise, check out some mixes and find what suits you.
8. Use State Quotas & Category Benefits: Make the most of your home state (HS) or other state (OS) quota, and know the effect of your reservation category.
9. Avoid Copying Others: Create your list based on your own rank, needs, and interests, not on what everyone else is doing.
10. Lock Choices on Time: Think through your picks, and lock them before the deadline. No modification is permitted once locking has occurred.

Key Factors to Consider for JoSAA Choice Filling 2026 in JoSAA Counselling 2026

JoSAA Counselling, 2026 is not all about randomly choosing the best institutes, but also about feeling and a smart way of making choices based on your dream, convenience, and chances. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Branch vs. Institute: Choose between the reputation of the institute and the branch of your choice. If IITs are your dream, apply for those even with other branches. If you’re aiming for a branch like CS or EE, select NITs/IIITs where it’s likely available at your rank.
2. Career Goals: This needs some long-term thinking, i.e., placements/ research/ higher studies. Some universities have stronger startup ecosystems, alumni networks, and global exposure.
3. Cutoff Trends: Go through the last 3-4 years JoSAA cut-offs to comprehend the chances for admission in your case. Shortlist affordable ones using mock allotments and choice simulators.
4. Use Upgrade Options: Always include your best options at the top, no matter how unrealistic they may seem. With Slide and float, you might find a superior branch or college in later rounds.
5. Branch Change Option: Few colleges offer branch change after the first year. You can come in through a less-competitive branch and transfer later (based on performance).
6. Consider New-Age Branches: Research AI, Data Science, Chemistry, and interdisciplinary branches; the future for these branches is good, and they are usually easy to get through.
7. Placements & Internships: Verify average packages, internship percentages, and NIRF rankings. Check on official sites or in alumni feedback for comparisons.
8. Location & Comfort: There is no point in pretending that climate differences, language barriers, and distance from home do not play a role in how you feel, as they can affect your performance.

Author: Saumya Sarin
Content Team: Motion Academic Team
Reviewed by: Senior JEE Faculty – Motion Education
Last Updated: June 2026

FAQs on JoSAA Choice Filling 2026

Q1: Is the choice filling option available in every JoSAA counselling round?

No, the JoSAA counselling does not have the option for choice filling in every round. Candidates have only a one-time option of filling, editing, and reordering choices during this time.

Q2: When will the JoSAA choice filling start?

According to the schedule, the online registration and choice filling facility is likely to begin on June 2, 2026.

Q: Is it possible to modify the filled choices in JoSAA after submission?

No, you cannot change your choice options on JoSAA after the final submission and locking of your choices. If you don’t manually lock them by the deadline, the review system does so automatically on your behalf, and that locked list is final.

Q: What is the step-by-step process to fill in choices in JoSAA counselling?

To make choices in JoSAA counselling, candidates will have to register and log in to the JoSAA portal first. Thereafter, they will have to go to the choice filling link, authenticate using an OTP, and add and organise the institutes and programmes they wish to take in preference order. Candidates need to lock their choices after they finish filling out so that their choices are submitted within the due date.

Q: How many options can a candidate select during JoSAA choice filling?

There is no restriction on the number of preferred choices that can be made during JoSAA Choice filling.

Q: Will I get the choice filling option again in later JoSAA rounds?

No, you will not be provided a choice filling in the later rounds of JoSAA. Fill & lock your choices only once before the first round of counselling.

Q: What happens if I don’t lock my choices before the JoSAA deadline?

In case you fail to lock your JoSAA choices by the deadline, whatever preferences you saved last will get locked by default.

Q: Can I edit my choice list after submitting it on the JoSAA portal?

No, you can’t make any changes to your choice list on the JoSAA portal once you submit it and before the choice-filling deadline.

Q: What is the purpose of the JoSAA mock seat allotment round?

The JoSAA mock seat allotment round is held so that candidates who have appeared in the JoSAA counselling this year can get an idea about the seat they may get before the final seat allocation.

Q: What is the next step after completing choice filling in JoSAA?

After making choices in JoSAA, the process follows seat allotment. The seat allotment result for JoSAA will be out on the login portal for the candidates.

Q: Is there any difference between saving and locking choices in JoSAA?

Yes, there is a difference between saving and locking  choices in JoSAA. With saving, you save how your current list looks, so you can change it later. Locking, on the other hand, is to confirm your selection and to lock it, making it unchangeable, so it can be used for seat allocation.

Q: What does the ‘float’ option mean in JoSAA counselling?

The ‘float’ option in JoSAA counselling is one where candidates can accept a seat but still be able to participate in further rounds of counselling, and they can also be considered for upgradation to their higher preference institute/program.

Q: Where can I check the opening and closing ranks for JoSAA colleges?

For the Opening and Closing ranks of JoSAA colleges, please follow the official website of JoSAA, which is josaa.nic.in. Using the “eServices” tab. From there, click on the option for “OR- CR” (Opening Rank – Closing Rank).

Q: Do I need to register again for Round 2 if I don’t get a seat in Round 1 of JoSAA?

No, you do not have to register again for Round 2 of JoSAA counselling if you were not allotted a seat in Round 1. Once you have applied to JoSAA, your application persists for all other rounds as well.

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