The Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) is an important body under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, that conducts special counselling rounds to fill vacant seats in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other centrally funded technical institutions after the completion of the JoSAA counselling process.
While JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) handles the main seat allocation for IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, many seats remain vacant for various reasons—such as students not accepting the allotted seat, withdrawing admission, or choosing another college.
That’s where CSAB steps in. The CSAB Special Rounds give students one more opportunity to secure a seat in these prestigious institutions. CSAB 2025 Round 2 is especially significant because it is the final round of counselling for the academic year, meaning after this, no further central seat allocation will happen.
For many students, this round could be the difference between getting into a dream college or having to settle for other options.
2. Importance of CSAB Round 2 in 2025
CSAB Round 2 holds a lot of importance because:
- It is the last centralised counselling round for the year.
- Students who couldn’t get admission in JoSAA or Round 1 still have a chance.
- Some top-ranked institutes might still have vacant seats.
- Cut-off ranks are often lower compared to JoSAA rounds.
- Students can also use it as a chance to upgrade their branch or college.
3. Tentative Dates for CSAB Round 2, 2025
The official dates will be announced on the CSAB website, but based on previous years, the schedule is usually as follows:
- Registration & Choice Filling: Immediately after Round 1 results, usually in early August.
- Last Date to Lock Choices: 1–2 days after the registration window opens.
- Seat Allotment Result (Round 2): Within 2–3 days of choice locking.
- Document Upload & Fee Payment: Immediately after seat allotment, generally 1–2 days.
- Physical Reporting to Allotted Institute: Final step before classes begin.
Students must keep checking the official portal to avoid missing deadlines, as CSAB does not offer extensions for late applicants.
4. Eligibility Criteria for CSAB Round 2
To take part in CSAB Round 2, candidates must meet these conditions:
- JEE Main 2025 Appearance:
Only candidates who appeared in JEE Main 2025 and secured a rank are eligible. - Previous Counselling Status:
- Students who did not get any seat in JoSAA or CSAB Round 1 can participate.
- Students who were allotted a seat in Round 1 but want an upgrade can also apply.
- Academic Requirements:
Candidates must meet the academic eligibility criteria of the respective institutes (Class 12 performance, subject combination, etc.). - Reporting Compliance:
Candidates who were allotted a seat in JoSAA but did not report may still be eligible under certain conditions.
5. Step-by-Step Process of CSAB Round 2 Counselling
Step 1: Registration
- Visit the official CSAB website.
- Log in using JEE Main Application Number and password.
- Pay the participation fee (non-refundable). This fee varies for different categories.
Step 2: Choice Filling
- Review the seat matrix to see available colleges and branches.
- Fill in choices in order of preference.
- Lock the choices before the deadline.
Step 3: Seat Allotment
- Seats are allotted based on:
- JEE Main rank
- Seat availability
- Reservation category
- Preferences given
Step 4: Document Upload
Upload scanned copies of:
- JEE Main admit card
- JEE Main scorecard
- Class 10th & 12th mark sheets
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-sized photograph
- Identity proof (Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID)
Step 5: Payment of Seat Acceptance Fee
- Pay the seat acceptance fee online to confirm the seat.
- Failure to pay within the deadline will cancel the allotment.
Step 6: Reporting to Allotted Institute
- Visit the allotted institute in person.
- Carry original documents for verification.
6. Documents Checklist
To avoid last-minute stress, prepare these documents:
- JEE Main 2025 Admit Card
- JEE Main 2025 Rank Card
- Class 10 Mark Sheet (Proof of Date of Birth)
- Class 12 Mark Sheet & Passing Certificate
- Seat Allotment Letter
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD – if applicable)
- Transfer Certificate & Migration Certificate
- Medical Fitness Certificate
- Passport-Sized Photographs (at least 6 copies)
- Government-Approved ID Proof
7. Reservation Policy
CSAB follows the same reservation criteria as JoSAA:
- OBC-NCL: 27%
- SC: 15%
- ST: 7.5%
- EWS: 10%
- PwD: 5% (horizontal reservation across all categories)
Candidates must provide valid certificates to avail reservation benefits.
8. Advantages of Participating in CSAB Round 2
- Final Opportunity: No more central counselling after this round.
- Lower Cut-Offs: Many seats are filled at lower ranks compared to earlier rounds.
- Possible Seat Upgrades: Students already allotted seats can get better options.
- Access to Popular Institutes: Vacancies may exist even in top NITs and IIITs.
9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing the registration deadline.
- Incorrectly filling category or personal details.
- Not locking choices before the deadline.
- Uploading unclear or incorrect documents.
- Not paying the seat acceptance fee on time.
10. Expected Cut-Off Trends for CSAB Round 2, 2025
Cut-offs in Round 2 are generally lower because:
- Some students opt for private colleges or foreign universities.
- A few students withdraw due to location or branch preferences.
For example: - NIT Silchar CSE closing rank in JoSAA might be 18,000, but in CSAB Round 2 it could go up to 23,000–25,000.
- Similarly, some IIIT seats remain open till much lower ranks.
11. After CSAB Round 2 – What’s Next?
Once CSAB Round 2 ends:
- No further central counselling will be conducted.
- Students with allotted seats must join their institutes before the session starts.
- Those who still don’t have a seat will have to explore state-level counselling or private college admissions.
12. Tips for a Successful CSAB Round 2 Counselling
- Fill maximum possible choices in order of preference.
- Keep all documents scanned and ready before registration starts.
- Check previous year cut-offs for better choice filling.
- Use a laptop/PC for filling choices to avoid errors.
- Do not wait until the last day to register or lock preferences.
13. Conclusion
CSAB Round 2 Counselling 2025 is the last centralised chance to secure admission in top engineering colleges like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Students should approach it with a clear strategy, prepare documents in advance, and fill choices wisely.
Since competition is still high, being proactive and making timely decisions can make the difference between getting your desired branch or missing out. This is your final shot—make it count.
