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.
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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 |
DASA 2026 Document Upload Specifications & Admission Requirements
Candidates must follow strict file format and size rules when uploading documents for DASA 2026.
Failure to meet specifications may lead to rejection of the application.
| Specification | Format | Size |
| Photograph | JPEG/JPG | 35mm × 35mm (<100 KB) |
| Signature | JPEG/JPG | 35mm × 35mm (<100 KB) |
| Documents | JPEG/JPG | Less than 500 KB |
Documents Required at Admission (Original Verification)
Candidates must bring:
- Allotment Letter
- Parent Passport
- Parent Visa
- Parent Employment Letter
- Four Recent Passport-size Photographs
- Two Sets of Photocopies
No hard copy submission is required during online application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DASA?
DASA is an admission process for NRI, OCI, and foreign students to join engineering institutes in India using JEE Main ranks.
Is JEE Main rank mandatory for DASA admission?
Yes, a valid JEE Main rank is required for most applicants applying through the DASA.
What is the application fee for DASA?
The DASA registration fee is USD 300, which is non-refundable.
Is there an age limit for DASA applicants?
No, there is no upper age limit for applying through the DASA.
When will DASA 2026 cutoff ranks be released?
DASA 2026 cutoff ranks will be released after the admission rounds are completed.
How can students estimate DASA 2026 cutoff ranks?
Students can estimate cutoffs by analyzing previous-year cutoff trends, such as the 2025 Round-1 cutoff list.
Which branches usually have the highest DASA cutoff competition?
Popular branches like Computer Science, Electronics, IT, and Data Science usually have tighter cutoff rank ranges.
