Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on CSAB-Special Rounds

FAQs Related to Registration / Eligibility Criteria

1. I had already registered in JoSAA portal. Is it necessary to again Register online in CSAB-Special Round for seat allocation to vacant seats NITs/ IIEST/ SPAs/ IIITs and GFTIs?

Answer: Yes. The eligible candidates desirous of participating in CSAB-Special Rounds must register ONLINE at https://csab.nic.in. Candidates, who fail to register ONLINE in the CSAB portal within the stipulated time, will not be a part of the seat allocation process. Candidates may seek help in their registration/choice filling process from any of the Help Centers (HCs) or from the CSAB-2022 Headquarters.

2. Can I change my password in the online portal?

Answer: Yes. Candidates can change their password any number of times. The change of password is through OTP in their registered mobile number and hence, candidates must have their mobile phone with them while changing the password.

3. I registered as beneficiary category (GEN-EWS/ OBC-NCL/ SC/ ST/ PwD Category) during registration of JEE (Main) examination. However, I do not have a valid category (GEN-EWS/ OBC-NCL/ SC/ ST/ PwD Category) certificate now. Will my category change to non-beneficiary category (GEN/ Non-PwD)? How can I change my category to GEN/ Non-PwD?

Answer: Candidates can change their category from beneficiary (GEN-EWS/ OBC-NCL/ SC/ ST/ PwD Category) to non-beneficiary (GEN/ Non-PwD) status during online Registration to CSAB-Special Rounds. Failure to produce a valid category certificate at the time of document verification will lead to cancellation of allocated seat of respective category. Thus, candidates not having a valid category certificate are strongly advised to change their category to GEN/ Non-PwD status during online registration to CSAB-Special Round.

4. I have passed XII with improvement. Am I eligible for CSAB Special Rounds?

Answer: Yes, provided you meet other eligibility criteria. The detail on eligibility criteria is given in Information Brochure of CSAB Special-Round.

5. What is “State code of eligibility”?

Answer: State/ Union Territory from where the candidate has passed Class XII or equivalent examination is the “State Code of Eligibility” of the candidate.

6. I have passed my XII examination from outside of India but I am an Indian National. What would be my state code of eligibility?

Answer: Indian Nationals passing XII, from an Institution abroad, the state code of eligibility is on the basis of permanent address in India as given in the passport.

7. I am a person of Indian origin living abroad, but I have passed my +2 from India. Am I eligible to participate in CSAB special rounds?

Answer: Candidates who are NOT Indian Nationals (by birth or naturalized) and/or OCI/PIO card holders, irrespective of whether they have studied 10+2 level or equivalent in India or abroad, are assigned foreign tag. Such candidates are not eligible for seat allocation through CSAB to NITs, IIEST, IIITs and Other-GFTIs.

8. What is minimum eligibility criteria in terms of percentage marks, CGPA/CGPI or percentile in 10+2 or equivalent examination?

Answer: The requirement of percentage marks or percentile has been relaxed for the academic year 2022-23. The candidates must, however, pass the 10+2 or equivalent examination. For detailed eligibility criteria requirements and list of equivalent examinations for 10+2, please see the JoSAA Business Rule/ CSAB Information Brochure available in the website.

9. My credentials, category and other documents have already been verified during JoSAA rounds. Can I change my credentials during CSAB Special Rounds registration?

Answer: No, verified data cannot be changed during registration in CSAB-Special Rounds.

10. During registration, no document uploading option is showing. When/how can I upload my documents?

Answer: There is no need to upload any document at the time of Registration to CSAB-Special Rounds. You will be required to upload documents only after you are allocated a seat.

11. I have gone through the FAQs. However, I still have doubts regarding my credentials, documents, registration process, choice filing, payment, etc. Where can I get help?

Answer: You can call to Multilingual HelpDesk of CSAB over telephone (091241 21003). We speak in Bangla, English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, and Telugu. You may also visit any one of the 44 Help Centres spread across the country. The list of Help Centers at different States and Union Territories is available in the CSAB website.

12. What are the working hours of Help Centres, Verification Centers and CSAB Headquarters?

Answer: Generally, the working hours are 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM.

FAQs Related to Choose Filling and Locking

13. Will my choices filled in JoSAA-2022 rounds will be carried forward to CSAB-Special Round or will I have to fill choices again in CSAB-Special Round?

Answer: Candidates have to register fresh and do fresh choice filling for the CSAB-Special Round.

14. Is choice filling necessary? What will happen if I do not fill any choice of seat in a preferred branch?

Answer: Yes, choice filling is necessary. At least one choice must be filled; if one does not fill even one choice during the choice filling period, she/he will not be allocated any seat.

15. I do not have any preference to any specific branch or institute. I am OK with any of the NIT/ IIEST/ IIIT/SPA/GFTI seat. Can I skip the choice filling step? Will the CSAB-2022 not allocate me a seat automatically based on my JEE (Main).

Answer: No, you cannot skip choice filling step. Choice filling is necessary. At least one choice must be filled, if one does not fill even one choice during the choice filling period, she/he will not be allocated any seat. The seat allocation will be as per the choice-list of the candidates only.

16. How many choices should I fill? How many Participating Institutes (PIs) or programs can I apply for?

Answer: Candidates are advised to fill all those choices of Participating Institutes (PIs) and program in which she/he is willing to join. A candidate is free to opt for as many NITs, IIEST, SPAs, IIITs or other GFTIs and as many programs as she/he wishes to choose through a single application. The candidate should their choices in the order of preference and may reshuffle as many times as desired before locking of the choices. Once the choices are locked the choices cannot be reshuffled / reordered.

17. Does the order or sequence of choices in my choice-list matter?

Answer: Yes. Seat allocation is done in the order of choice list of the candidates. Thus, candidates should prioritize their choice of institute/program in the order of preference. The choice list can be reshuffled by candidates as many times as they desire but before locking of the choices. Once the choices are locked the choices cannot be reshuffled / reordered.

18. Which Institute or Program is better?

Answer: All Institutes and Programs are good. The preference of an institute or a program are individual’s choice. Candidates are advised to visit the website of participating institutes to know details about the institute and programs.

19. I have a low rank in JEE. Based on my score, I am not expecting a seat in a particular branch or institute based on last year’s OR-CR. Should I fill those choices?

Answer: Yes. Candidates are advised to fill all those choices of Participating Institutes (PIs) and program in which they are willing to join. They can opt for as many NITs, IIEST, SPAs, IIITs or other GFTIs and as many programs as they wish to join and fill them in the order of their preference. The seat allocation is done in the order of preference and depending upon the seat availability, the seat will be allocated based on JEE rank.

20. How many choices can I fill? Is there any limitation in the number of choices that I can fill?

Answer: Candidate can submit as many numbers of choices in order of preference as they wish from the list of their available choices. Candidates are required to ensure themselves that they are eligible for the program before filling their choices of institutes and programs. The details of restrictions in various Institutes or Programs are available in CSAB website.

21. I want a seat in a particular branch (e.g., Computer Science and Engineering) in a particular institute (e.g., NIT Rourkela). However, the vacancy list published in CSAB website does not have a vacant seat in my desired branch/institute. Can I fill this seat in CSAB-Special Round?

Answer: The vacancy list published for CSAB-Special Round is only tentative. The number of seats may increase due to a new vacancy created during seat allocation. Thus, it is advised that the candidates fill up all of their desired choices in order of preference, irrespective of its vacancy being shown or not. However, candidates are required to ensure themselves that they are eligible for the program before filling their choices of institutes and programs. The details of restrictions in various Institutes or Programs are available in CSAB website.

22. What is “Choice Locking”?

Answer: Choice Locking is the process of final submission of choices. Once the choices are locked, it cannot further be changed.

23. If a candidate does not lock her/his choices, will their saved choice be processed for seat allotment?

Answer: It is in the interest of the candidates that they lock their choices themselves before the deadline. However, in the exceptional cases where candidates fail to lock their choices, the last saved choices will be locked automatically at the end of the last date of choice filling. If a candidate does not fill any choice till the last date of choice filling, she/he will not be allocated any seat.

24. Can the candidate modify the choices after locking?

Answer: NO. After locking the choices, candidate cannot modify her/his choices.

25. What preparation is needed to fill the choices?

Answer: It is very important to study about the courses available in all the participating institutes. One may visit their official websites, talk to the concerned persons who know about the courses or even may visit the institutes personally and see where and how are the institutes. Check whether the fee is affordable. Some institutes and programs have specific restrictions or special eligibility. Please ensure that you fulfil those special eligibility / restrictions.

26. What is the best strategy of choice filling?

Answer: Each choice of institute or branch must be such that you know completely what you are asking for. Include only those choices in your list where you are really prepared to go if you get an allotment. One must refrain from gambling or take-a-chance approach. No choice should be included in half-hearted manner. It should not happen that after getting an allotment you say Oh! I did not want it. If that is so, it should not have been in the list of choices.

Maintaining strict order of preference is also very important. Assume that what you really want is at no. 17 in your list but you get choice no. 13. In the subsequent rounds, choice no. 1 to 12 only will be considered.

27. Where can I find the academic programs and category-wise vacancy for CSAB-Special Round.

Answer: The same is available on https://csab.nic.in/csab-special/.

28. Can I change or reshuffle my choice-list in the 2nd Round of the CSAB-Special Round.

Answer: No. The choice-filling is allowed only in the 1st Round after the Registration to the CSAB-Special Round. The choices cannot be changed or reshuffled in the 2nd Round of seat allocation.

FAQs Related to Payment

29. What are the types of fees to participate in CSAB-Special Round?

Answer: Following fee types are applicable in CSAB-Special Round:

• SRPF: CSAB-Special Round Processing Fee of Rs. 3,000/- (Non-refundable fee towards participation in CSAB-Special Round).
• IAF-I: Institute Admission Fee-I of Rs. 35,000/- for GEN/GEN-EWS/OBC-NCL or Rs. 15,000/- for SC/ST/PwD (first instalment of admission fee in the allotted institute).
• IAF-II: Institute Admission Fee-II of Rs. 37,000/- for GEN/GEN-EWS/OBC-NCL or Rs. 17,000/- for SC/ST/PwD (second instalment of admission fee in the allotted institute).
• SREF: CSAB-Special Round Enrolment Fee, which is the total amount of SRPF + IAF-I.

Candidates, who have participated in JoSSA Rounds are also eligible to participate in CSAB-Special Round. For such candidates, if they have paid SAF and/or PAF, the same will be adjusted after deduction of JoSAA Processing Fee (Rs. 3,000/-) and/or Withdrawal Fee (Rs. 6,000/-), as applicable. Refer to table in the CSAB website (https://tinyurl.com/3cyxnx9v) for an illustration.

30. How can I pay the registration fee? Can I pay by cash or cheque?

Answer: There are only two modes of payment: (i) ONLINE payment through Internet banking (all major banks), Credit cards, Debit cards, RuPay Card, UPI (e.g., BHIM, BharatPe, PayTM etc.); (ii) e-challan (SBI Only). CSAB accepts the fees only through the two aforesaid modes of payment during the specified period given in the Schedule of the CSAB information brochure. For payment through e-challan, candidates can generate e-challan from their login portal and submit to their nearest SBI branch and pay by cash (may require PAN card of the payee).

31. I made an online payment, but the payment failed. I did not receive an acknowledgement copy of the payment but the amount got deducted from my account. What shall I do?

Answer: In such cases, it is recommended that you don’t attempt any more online transactions. Instead, visit your nearest SBI branch with the e-challan copy and make the payment. The payment should be made within the stipulated time, as given in the schedule of CSAB-Special Round (available in the CSAB website). Please also contact your concerned Bank/Branch immediately for failed status of your payment. The deducted amount is normally reversed to the debited account as per the banking procedures (Normally within 24 to 48 hrs)/or two working days. In general, payment through internet banking has higher success of transaction than Debit/Credit card payment or UPI payment.

32. Am I required to pay IAF-I fee again, if my seat is upgraded based on my willingness of FLOAT / SLIDE in next round?

Answer: No. There is no need to pay IAF-I fee again. The amount deposited in the earlier round of allotment will be adjusted with the subsequent allotment.

33. Will the IAF-I Fee be refunded if I SURRENDER or EXIT myself from CSAB Special Round-1?

Answer: Yes. In case the IAF-I Fee is paid and candidates SURRENDER/EXIT within specified period, they are eligible for refund. However, refund will be made after deducting applicable processing fee (Details available in the CSAB website). This refund will be made only after the entire admission process is completed.

FAQs Related to Seat Allocation, Online Reporting and Document Verification

34. How will the seats be allotted in CSAB-Special Round?

Answer: Seat allotment is based on the JEE (Main) rank and availability of seat as per filled Choices according to the Government of India (GoI) Reservation norms. The Business Rules for seat allocation in CSAB-Special Round is same as those of JoSAA Business Rules. Please refer to JoSAA Business Rules available in the JoSAA website for details on seat allocation.

35. I am a beneficiary category (GEN-EWS/ OBC-NCL/ SC/ ST category) candidate but how come I have been allotted an OPEN category seat?

Answer: Candidates having a valid Category certificate (GEN-EWS/ OBC-NCL/ SC/ ST Category) are also eligible to OPEN category seats. Please refer to Clause VII: SEQUENCE IN WHICH SEAT CATEGORIES ARE CONSIDERED FOR SEAT ALLOCATION in JoSAA brochure available in the JoSAA website.

36. My state of eligibility is West Bengal. My rank is higher than the closing rank of Home State quota in GKCIET, Malda. Still, why am I not allotted a seat under Home State quota?

Answer: Candidates from West Bengal are not eligible for Home State quota seats of GKCIET, Malda for JoSAA/CSAB.

37. How many rounds will be there in CSAB-Special Round?

Answer: There will be two CSAB-Special Rounds.

38. Will the fees that I paid during JoSAA rounds be adjusted in CSAB-Special Rounds?

Answer: Yes, fees paid towards Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF) and/or Partial Admission Fee (PAF) will be adjusted after deductions, as applicable.

39. What’s the difference between SURRENDER and WITHDRAW in CSAB-Special Round?

Answer: SURRENDER: You can participate in next round while rejecting the allocated seat.
WITHDRAW: You will be out of CSAB-Special Round. The allocated seat (if any) will be cancelled.

Refer Section 4.4.2 of Information Brochure of CSAB-Special Round for details.

40. Can I exercise WITHDRAW or SURRENDER option in the CSAB Special Round-1 after paying IAF-2?

Answer: No. You can exercise these options only before paying IAF-2. Refer Section 4.4.2 of Information Brochure of CSAB-Special Round for details.

41. Can I exercise Willingness option in CSAB Special Round-2?

Answer: No. As it is the last round, the default and the only option is FREEZE.

42. I am not interested in the seat offered in CSAB-Special Round 1. Can I participate in seat allotment in further rounds without accepting the seat now?

Answer: No. First of all, do not fill-in the choices for the courses that you are not interested. If you do not accept the seat allocated in the CSAB-Special Round-1 and do not complete the steps of document verification and IAF-II payment, you will be out from the seat allotment process and the allocated seat will be CANCELLED. However, you may opt for SURRENDER option wherein you can surrender the currently allocated seat and participate in the 2nd Round of CSAB-Special Round. In case you opt for SURRENDER, you will not be required to pay IAF-II unless and until allocated a new seat in the 2nd (final) round of the CSAB-Special Round.

43. I have been offered a seat in CSAB-Special Round 1. I opted for FLOAT/SLIDE to participate in the next round. Do I have to pay IAF-II now or after the Round 2 (final round) of CSAB-Special Round?

Answer: Yes. You MUST pay the IAF-II even if you chose FLOAT/SLIDE option. If you do not accept the seat allocated in the CSAB-Special Round-1 by completing all the steps of document verification and IAF-II payment, the allocated seat will be CANCELLED and you will be out from the further seat allotment process.

44. I have been offered a new upgraded seat in the 2nd Round of CSAB-Special Round of allotment. I do not like the newly allocated seat and want the seat of the 1st Round. Can I get back my seat of the 1st Round of CSAB-Special Round?

Answer: No. In such cases, the seat allocated in the 1st Round is already lost and cannot be allocated back.

45. I have been offered a seat in the 1st Round of CSAB-Special Round of allotment. I want my lower choices in the choice list to be considered in the 2nd Round. Can I get the lower choices in the 2nd Round of CSAB-Special Round?

Answer: No. The seat allocation will be in the order of preference. If a seat is allocated in the 1st Round, the subsequent seat allocation will be from the higher choices only.

46. I missed my document uploading deadline. What should I do?

Answer: Please refer to the specific schedules given in the CSAB website. Events are not repeated when the corresponding deadlines are over.

47. What are the documents I need to upload after allotment of a seat?

Answer: The list of documents to be uploaded are mentioned in the Annexure-3 of CSAB Special Rounds Information Brochure.

48. Why is a cancelled check/bank pass book needed?

Answer: The cancelled check/passbook is required for the refund purpose only, if any.

49. I have been raised a query for missing category certificate at the time of Document Verification. I do not have a category certificate. What do I need to upload at the time of document uploading?

Answer: You may upload a hand-written undertaking document for unavailability of the category certificate. The verification officer will take appropriate action based on non-availability of category certificate. Please note that failure to produce a valid category certificate at the time of document verification will lead to cancellation of allocated seat of respective category. Thus, candidates not having a valid category certificate are strongly advised to change their category to GEN/ Non-PwD status during online registration to CSAB-Special Round.

50. My original certificate is not in English. Will it be accepted?

Answer: If the original certificates are not in English/Hindi, an English/Hindi version translation of such certificates, duly certified by the Principal/Director or other competent authority of the graduating Institute can be submitted during the Document Verification step.

51. Whether the documents need to be attested?

Answer: No. The original document and self-attested copies are to be submitted at time of physical reporting at the Admitting Institute only.

52. I was allotted a seat in CSAB-Special Round 1 but I did not complete the steps of seat acceptance/IAF-II payment within the deadline. Can I participate in the seat allocation again in the next round?

Answer: No, you cannot. If candidates do not complete the steps of seat acceptance/IAF-II payment within the stipulated time, their allotment shall stand cancelled. The resulting vacancy will be filled-up in the subsequent round. Such candidates would be considered as “not-reported” and would not be eligible for subsequent round.

53. I have been offered a seat in the CSAB-Special Round. If I do not report to the allotted institute for admission, then will the fee paid be refunded?

Answer: No. If a candidate has been allocated a seat in CSAB-Special Round and does not report to the finally allotted institute for admission, she/he will forfeit the fee paid to CSAB. The CSAB-Headquarters will transfer the collected fee to the allotted/admitting institute. Thereafter, the cancellation and refund/forfeiture will be handled by the allotted institute as per their rules/norms.

54. Who can sign/authorize the candidate’s medical certificate?

Answer: Any registered medical practitioner can issue the Medical Certificate in the format available in the CSAB website. The registration number of the doctor is required to be mentioned in the form.

55. What is the next step after paying IAF-II and freezing the seat?

Answer: After the CSAB-Special Rounds of allotment, all allotted candidates have to physically report to the allotted institute with documents listed in the information brochure of CSAB-Special Round. Candidates are advised to visit the website of the finally allotted institute for details of reporting dates, documents to be carried, fee details etc. for physical verification and admission.

FAQs Related to Category / Caste

56. What are the category codes used on the CSAB?

Answer: There are totally 10 broad categories. The abbreviations are shown in the below table:

57. I have a category certificate. How can I check whether the same is valid / correct?

Answer: Please refer the following link of NCBC Central list for state-wise OBC castes:
http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/CentralListStateView.aspx
(OBC certificates issued on or after 01 April 2022 are only valid.)

Please refer the following link for SC caste list:
http://socialjustice.nic.in/UserView/index?mid=76750

Please refer the following link for ST caste list:
https://tribal.nic.in/ST/LatestListofScheduledtribes.pdf

58. Can the category be changed from GEN to SC/ST/OBC-NCL/GEN-EWS during or after registration?

Answer: No, it cannot be changed.

59. Can the category be changed from SC/ST/OBC-NCL/GEN-EWS to GEN during or after registration?

Answer: Change of category is possible from SC/ST/OBC-NCL/GEN-EWS to GEN category during registration in CSAB-Special Round. But change of category from GEN to reserved category is not allowed.

If the candidate fails to submit category certificate, or category given by the candidate during registration is found to be wrong/incorrect (not in the central list declared by the Central Government) at the time of verification of certificates or at the time of reporting, her/his provisional allotment of the seat shall automatically stand cancelled.

However, the candidate will be allowed for the next rounds of seat allotment for the available vacant seats only and after updating her/his category to GEN.

60. I have my category certificate case pending. Can I apply and produce the certificate as and when I get it, till that point can I submit my brother/sister/mother/father’s certificate to convince you that I belong to particular category?

Answer: No. The candidate has the responsibility to fill correct details, upload relevant certificates at the time of document verification, and produce them in ORIGINAL when she/he reports to the admitting institute. She/he will lose her/his seat, if she/he fails to produce the required document at the time of online document verification.

61. Whether an old non-creamy layer certificate (OBC-NCL) is acceptable? I shall produce new one as and when I get it.

Answer: No. The OBC-NCL certificates issued on or after 01 April 2022 are only valid. The candidate has the responsibility to fill correct details, upload relevant certificates at the time of document verification and produce them in ORIGINAL when she/he reports to the admitting institute. She/he will lose her/his seat, if she/he fails to produce the required document at the time of online document verification.

62. I have given JEE (Main) examination in GEN category. I actually belong to SC or ST or OBC-NCL or GEN-EWS category. Will it be possible now to avail the facilities of my category reservation during application filling/counselling?

Answer: No. You cannot do so. Candidates must have category rank in their JEE (Main) score card to register and avail the benefits of reservation under respective category.

63. Is there any standard OBC-NCL certificate format? Will OBC-NCL certificate issued by various State authorities be accepted?

Answer: Yes. There is a recommended OBC-NCL certificate format, which is available in the CSAB website. However, OBC-NCL certificate issued on or after 01 April 2022 by the competent authority in another format may also be acceptable, provided the caste is mentioned in the central list published by the NCBC.

Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL) issued by Maharashtra State must be validated by Social Welfare department (in case of SC and OB category) and Tribal Welfare department (in case of ST category) of Maharashtra Government. The SC/ST/OB candidates of Maharashtra State have to produce their caste validity certificate in the exact format available on JoSAA/CSAB website. ST certificates from Tamil Nadu state must be issued by the concerned Revenue Divisional Officer.

64. Is there any standard GEN-EWS certificate format or GEN-EWS certificate issued by various State authorities will also work?

Answer: For the GEN-EWS certificate issued on or after 01 April 2022, the certificate in any format as issued by the competent authority will be accepted, provided it mentions the required details as given by the Central Government.

65. My reservation category documents have already been verified during JoSAA rounds. Can I change my category during CSAB-Special Round registration?

Answer: No. Verified reservation category cannot be changed during registration in CSAB-Special Rounds.

FAQs Related to Physical Reporting and Admission at the Admitting Institute

66. I have been allocated a seat in CSAB-Special Rounds and I have completed the online document verification. When can I report for physical verification? Will my physical verification be done at the allotted institute or the institute where online document verification was done?

Answer: Physical reporting will be done at the time of admission at the allotted Institute. Please refer to the website of the finally allotted institute for admission dates and other details.

67. What documents are required during physical reporting at the finally admitting institute?

Answer: Refer to Information Brochure of JoSAA/CSAB for a tentative list of documents required during PI reporting. For complete list of required certificates, refer to the admitting institute website.

68. Can I get transferred to a PI near my home place after getting admitted to a particular PI?

Answer: No. Inter-Institute transfer is not permitted.

69. If the candidate has physically reported at the allotted institute (after the end of CSAB-Special Round) then will she/he be permitted for withdrawal?

Answer: No. If the candidate has physically reported at the allotted institute, then withdrawal is not permitted from CSAB account. The CSAB-Headquarters will transfer the collected fee to the allotted/admitted institute. Thereafter, the cancellation and refund/forfeiture will be handled by the allotted institute as per their rules/norms.