JoSAA vs CSAB Counselling 2025: Key Differences Explained

JoSAA vs CSAB Counselling 2025: Key Differences Explained

#JoSAA Counselling
Maniprabha SinghUpdated on 03 May 2025, 01:12 PM IST

JoSAA vs CSAB Counselling 2025 : JosAA is a Joint Seat Allocation Authority of the Ministry of Education which plays a crucial role after JEE Mains Examination in securing admissions into prestigious technical institutes like IITs, IIITs, NITs and GFTIs. While CSAB counselling is a Central Seat Allocation Board which fills up the vacant engineering seats that are left covered by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority. JoSAA counselling covers all prestigious institutes like IITs, NITs, IIITs and GFTIs, and CSAB handles NITs, IIITs and GFTIs. JoSAA conducts counselling in 6 rounds, and there will be only 2 rounds in the case of CSAB. Only JEE Mains and JEE Advanced qualified candidates can go for counselling in JoSAA. For CSAB, only JEE Mains qualified aspirants can attend the counselling.

JoSAA vs CSAB Counselling 2025: Key Differences Explained
JoSAA vs CSAB Counselling 2025: Key Difference

Central Seat Allocation Board counselling starts only after the end of Joint Seat Allocation Authority finishes its counselling session. Through CSAB counselling, candidates can’t get admission into IITs. Read the article below to complete details regarding JoSAA vs CSAB counselling.

JoSAA vs CSAB Counselling 2025: Key Differences Explained

Aspect

JoSAA

CSAB

Full Form

Joint Seat Allocation Authority

Central Seat Allocation Board

Purpose

Centralised counselling for IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs

Special rounds to fill vacant seats in the NIT+ system

Institutes Covered

IITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs

NITs, IIITs, GFTIs (excluding IITs)

Rounds

6 rounds

2 special rounds

Exams Considered

JEE Main and JEE Advanced

JEE Main only

Eligibility

Based on qualifying JEE Main/Advanced

Only JEE Main qualified students

Fee Structure

Seat acceptance fee after allocation

Registration + participation fee (non-refundable if seat allotted)

Seat Type

Regular round seats

Leftover seats after JoSAA

Upgradation

Allows float/slide/freeze

Allows upgrade from JoSAA seat

IIT Participation

Yes

No

Withdrawal Option

Yes, before the final round

Not available after seat acceptance

Main Differences in JoSAA vs CSAB Counselling

Counselling in JoSAA will be done for the official seats that are available for fill up by the authority based on the guidelines. While CSAB counselling is done to fill the seats left over by the JoSAA. Candidates will get a partial refund of their money within a specific period of time, while CSAB does not refund the paid counselling fees. In JoSAA, students will have more options in selecting seats and in CSAB, candidates will have very less chances, and they have to get it from JoSAAs leftover seats. JoSAA is safer and comfortable compared to CSAB counselling, as there will be more seats in counselling and also a money refund is guaranteed by JoSAA than CSAB.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is it compulsory to participate in both JoSAA and CSAB?
A:

No, it is not compulsory but candidates have to attend first for JoSAA and then CSAB for counselling.

Q: Can I participate in CSAB if I didn’t register for JoSAA?
A:

Yes, Candidates who didn’t participate in JoSAA can participate in CSAB counselling if they pass the JEE Mains Examination.

Q: Which is safer – JoSAA or CSAB counselling?
A:

JoSAA counselling is considered to be safer than CSAB counselling. 

Q: Is there any money refund policy in CSAB counselling ?
A:

No, Money will not be refunded in CSAB counselling.

Q: Who is eligible to participate in JoSAA counselling?
A:

Candidates who had qualified JEE Mains or JEE Advanced are only eligible for JoSAA counselling. 

Q: Can I get admission into IITs through CSAB?
A:

No, admission into IITs is possible only through JoSAA counselling. CSAB counselling does not cover IITs. 

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