DASA 2026: Application Form, Dates, Eligibility, Merit List, Admission Procedure

The DASA (Direct Admission of Students Abroad) 2026 Application Form is set to be released in the third week of March 2026. DASA is a prestigious national-level admission procedure conducted annually, organized by participating institutes on a rotational basis. 

Facilitated by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Government of India, DASA aims to offer admissions to foreign nationals, PIO, and NRI candidates for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Engineering, Architecture, Planning, and Management fields. Successful candidates will secure seats in various esteemed institutions including NITs, IIESTs, IIITs, central universities, and other centrally funded institutions. 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review this article to gain comprehensive insights into DASA 2026, covering crucial aspects such as important dates, application procedures, correction processes, syllabi, and more.

DASA 2026 Highlights

DASA 2026 offers a streamlined admission process for students abroad, facilitated by the Government of India. This overview highlights key details about the program, ensuring prospective candidates are well-informed.

DASA 2026 Important Dates

Stay updated with the crucial timeline for DASA 2026 to ensure a smooth application process. Here are the important dates you need to mark on your calendar.

UG Courses:

PG Courses:

DASA 2026 Application Form

The DASA 2026 Application Process is primarily conducted online, offering convenience and accessibility to candidates. Applicants are required to register on the website, providing essential details to initiate the admission process. Ensuring careful completion of the application form and timely submission of necessary documents is crucial, as correction facilities will not be available.

• The DASA 2026 Application Form will be submitted through online mode only.
• The registration form for UG courses will be available starting from the third week of March 2026, and for PG courses, it will be available from the second week of April 2026.
• Candidates will need to register on the website by providing their email ID and other required details to apply for admission.
• It will be mandatory for candidates to upload necessary documents, including passport-size photographs and signatures.
• Candidates must fill out the application form carefully, as no correction facility will be provided by the authority.
• Candidates will be able to fill out the registration form for UG admission until the second week of April 2026 and for PG admission until the first week of May 2026.
• After submission, candidates should take a printout of the submitted application form for future reference.
• Ensure all details are accurate and documents are properly uploaded before final submission, as changes cannot be made later.

DASA 2026 Application Fee

DASA 2026 simplifies the application fee process with online payment options, ensuring convenience for candidates worldwide. Applicants can seamlessly submit the registration fee through various online payment gateways, including SWIFT Transfer, E-Payment, NEFT, and RTGS Transfer. This streamlined approach enhances accessibility and ease of payment, reflecting the program’s commitment to facilitating international admissions.

How to Fill DASA 2026 Application Form?

• Step-1: Visit the DASA Website – Access the official website of DASA (link will be provided).
• Step 2: Registration – Enter your email address and captcha in the designated space.
• Step 3: Account Creation – Click on the “Create My Account” button.
• Step 4: Verification Email – Check your registered email address for a verification email from DASA. Follow the link provided in the email to complete the registration process.
• Step 5: Account Setup and Application Form – Log in with your email ID and password to complete your account setup. Fill in the application form with accurate information.
• Step-6: Document Upload – Upload the necessary documents in the prescribed format, as specified by DASA.
• Step-7: Submission – Review the completed registration form for accuracy. Click on the “Submit” button to finalize your registration.
• Step-8: Download and Print – Download the completed registration form for your records. Print out a copy of the form for your reference and future use.

DASA 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The DASA 2026 eligibility criteria outline the requirements for foreign nationals, PIO, and NRI candidates seeking admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Indian institutions. These criteria encompass aspects such as nationality, educational qualifications, and other relevant parameters, ensuring a transparent and standardized admission process.

UG Courses:

• Nationality: All Foreign National students studying in any country or Indian national students studying abroad are eligible.
• Age: Candidates born on or after 1st October 2000, according to records of class 10th/University certificate or any Government-issued certificate.
• Qualification: Must have passed 12th class or equivalent with 60% aggregate marks from an education system recognized by the Association of Indian Universities.
• Subjects: Qualification requires passing class 12th with Mathematics, Physics, and one of Chemistry, Bio-Technology, Computer Science, or Biology.
• Appearing: Candidates appearing for the qualifying examination in 2026-25 and expecting their final result by 31st December 2026 can also apply.
• JEE Main Rank: A valid JEE (Main) 2026 Rank is necessary for application.

PG Courses:

• Nationality: All Foreign Nationals, PIOs, OCIs who completed their UG degree in any country, or Indian Nationals/NRIs who completed their UG from abroad can apply.
• Age: No age restriction for PG Admission.
• Qualification: Requires a Four/Five years UG degree in Engineering/Technology or equivalent discipline. For MBA programs, a UG degree from any recognized stream by the Association of Indian Universities is required.
• Appearing: Candidates expecting their final result of the qualifying examination by 30th September 2026 are eligible.
• GRE/GMAT Scores: Valid total scores of 300 in GRE and 480 in GMAT are required.

DASA 2026 Merit List

The merit list for DASA 2026 will be exclusively prepared for candidates who have successfully filled out and submitted their online registration forms. Accessible through online mode, candidates will be able to view the merit list. For UG programs, the merit list will be formulated based on JEE Main Scores 2026. Scheduled for release in the third week of April 2026, this list serves as a pivotal determinant for candidates’ eligibility and seat allotment.

Similarly, for PG programs, the merit list compilation will rely on GRE/GMAT scores. Candidates with valid scores in JEE Main, GRE, GMAT, or SAT by MNNIT will be considered for inclusion in the merit list and subsequent seat allocation. This meticulous process ensures fairness and transparency in the selection procedure, laying the groundwork for an equitable distribution of seats among qualified applicants.

DASA 2026 Counselling

The DASA Counselling 2026 is scheduled to commence in the fourth week of April 2026 for undergraduate programs and in the third week of May 2026 for postgraduate programs. The entire counselling process will be conducted online. 

Qualified candidates listed in the merit list will participate in the counselling procedure, which entails stages such as registration, choice filling, choice locking, and seat allotment. For undergraduate programs, there will be four rounds of counselling, while for postgraduate programs, two rounds of counselling will be conducted.

DASA 2026 Selection Procedure

The selection process for DASA 2026 will primarily consider the JEE Main Rank alongside the choices filled by candidates, prioritizing both merit and preferences. Allotted candidates must report to their respective allotted institutes and complete the prescribed fee payment to secure their seats. This process ensures a transparent and merit-based allocation of seats to qualified candidates.

Those candidates who will be allotted seats in their first choice of institutions have to select one of the following options:

• Accept: Candidates are satisfied with their currently allotted seats and not interested in further rounds of allotment.
• Accept & Upgrade: Candidates accepting the currently allotted seats but also wish to be considered for upgradation to higher preferences of institutes in further rounds of allotment.
• Decline: Candidates not accepting the allotted seats and wish to withdraw their seats.

Upon accepting the allotted seats, a provisional admission letter will be generated for candidates. They must sign the admission letter and submit it to the allotted institute at the time of admission. This process ensures transparency and flexibility for candidates in their seat allocation decisions.

DASA 2026 Participating Colleges/Institute

DASA 2026 involves several esteemed colleges/institutes participating in the admission process, offering opportunities for foreign nationals, PIO, and NRI candidates to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses in India.

DASA 2026 FAQ’s

Sunil Kushwaha

As a dedicated Biology Science graduate, I’m passionate about sharing the latest updates in national and state entrance exams through my blog. I aim to keep aspiring students informed about exam trends, important dates, and changes in syllabi. With a keen interest in education, I strive to offer valuable insights for students navigating the competitive landscape of entrance examinations and admission tests. Stay updated with me.