Once the candidates have completed their JoSAA registration for the counselling, the next step is to fill out the choices for seat allotment process. The JoSAA choice filling is a crucial step in the JoSAA seat allotment process because once the choices have been filled they cannot be changed throughout the JoSAA counselling process. However, until locked, the aspirants can enter and arrange as many choices as possible and as many times.
The JoSAA registration is expected to begin on June 3, as per the official notice. The ultimate JoSAA seat allotment is based on the choices filled by the candidates, their JEE advanced score or JEE Main rank whichever is applicable. Read in this article all about the JoSAA choice filling process including why it is important, how to select colleges and how to move forward with the selected options.
Read more about JoSAA counselling here
What is JoSAA Choice Filling?
In simple terms JoSAA choice filling means that candidates select the institutes and the programs they wish to pursue via the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA). The registered candidates should provide their choices for the various IITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and NITs along with the courses and programs. The choices should be provided in the preferred ordered and should be made strategically. Once locked in, the aspirants have no option whatsoever to change their preferences throughout the counselling process. In addition, the candidates must only consider and fill those options that they are genuinely willing to opt for.
JoSAA Registration - full process explained in detail
What factors should you consider for JoSAA choice filling?
While filling out the choices the following factors must be taken into consideration -
- JEE Advanced rank and score
- JEE Main rank and score
- Gender
- Category
- Quota
- Cutoff criteria for colleges (to improve chances of selection)
- Choice of place (if important to a candidate)
- Institute infrastructure (if it matters)
How to do JoSAA Choice Filling - A complete step-by-step tutorial and guide
To accurately fill out the JoSAA seat choices, the candidates must follow the below step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Login to JoSAA Portal
Using JEE Main 2025 application number and password, candidates have to login to the JoSAA 2025 portal.
Step 2: Access JoSAA Choice Filling Link
Once logged in, candidates can check the link for choice filling. Click the link and verify using the OTP sent to the registered mobile number.
View the list of top NITs as per latest NIRF rankings here
Step 3: Adding and Arranging the Choices
Once the OTP is verified candidates can check the following details on their screen:
- Total number of choices available for the candidate
- List of choices available
- Search bar to search and filter the institutes and courses
From the available list of choices, candidates can use the “add” button to add the choices to their choice list. When the candidate clicks on the “add” button against the choice, it gets added to the list of choices candidates have to submit and can be checked on the right-hand side of the screen.
Candidates can add the choices in order of their preference or they can add the choices in random order and arrange the choices after adding them to their list. The candidates can check the Institute name, course name and the choice number (order number of the choice) in the list. Other than that, against each choice, candidates can check the option for “remove”, “up” and “down”.
- Remove: This command will remove a choice from the list.
- Up: This command will move a choice one step above.
- Down: This command will move a choice one step down.
Using the above commands candidates can rearrange their choices as many times as they want before the JoSAA choice locking deadline.
Know more about JEE Advanced exam here
Step 4: Saving the Choices
Candidates must keep saving the choices. If they don't have the choices saved, then any changes made to the list of choices will disappear.
Step 5: Locking the Choice
Once the candidates are one hundred per cent sure of the choices they have filled and their order, they can proceed to lock their choices as per the JoSAA schedule.
Step 6: Printing the Choice List
Candidates can print the list of their JoSAA choice filling list for future reference.
JoSAA Choice Filling 2025 - Managing & Locking the Filled Choices
Once the candidates have filled the choices, they are allowed to manage them. This means candidates will be allowed to remove and rearrange their choices as many times as they want before the JoSAA choice locking date.
Candidates can rearrange their choices by changing the choice number against the choices. The choices can be also interchanged from one option to the other easily or candidates can select multiple choices at once for bulk deletion.
The choices can be managed until the last date as per the JoSAA schedule. Once the choices are locked and submitted as per the schedule, the choices cannot be changed throughout the counselling process. Seat allotment in each JoSAA counselling round will be based on the choices filled by the candidates.
What to do After JoSAA 2025 Choice Filling Process is completed?
Once the candidates have made their selections and finalized them, the next step is seat allotment. JoSAA will release the seat allotment results on the candidates' respective JoSAA login portals. Candidates can access their allotment results by logging in with their JEE Main 2025 application number and JoSAA 2025 password. Seat allotment is based on the candidates' JEE Main/Advanced ranks, category, and filled choices.
Understanding the seat allocation and locking options
Upon receiving a seat allocation, the candidate must accept the allocated seat and choose one of the options – 'Freeze', 'Slide', or 'Float' – for the academic program choice for any subsequent round(s), if applicable, of joint seat allocation.
Option | Meaning | Allowed Upgradation | Participation in Future Rounds | When to Use |
Freeze | Accept the allotted seat and exit counselling | ❌ No upgradation | ❌ No participation | You are fully satisfied with the allotted seat (college + branch) |
Slide | Accept the seat, but want a better branch in the same institute | ✅ Better branch in the same institute only | ✅ Yes | You are happy with the college, but want a better course/branch there |
Float | Accept the seat, but want a better option in any institute | ✅ Better branch in any institute (as per your choices) | ✅ Yes | You are okay with the current seat but hoping for a better one elsewhere |
Example Scenario
Suppose you get Mechanical Engineering at IIT Delhi, but you prefer Computer Science at IIT Bombay.
Option | Outcome |
Freeze | You keep Mechanical at IIT Delhi and exit the process. |
Slide | You are considered for a better branch (e.g., CS or EE) within IIT Delhi only. |
Float | You are considered for better options across all institutes, like CS at IIT Bombay. |
Also check the list of Top IITs in India here
JoSAA Choice Filling - Expected Dates 2025
JoSAA Events | Dates |
JoSAA Counselling Registration Process 2025 | June 3, 2025 |
JoSAA Counselling Online Reporting for Round 1 | June 2025 |
Display of Mock Seat Allocation-2 | June 2025 |
Display of Mock Seat Allocation-1 | June 2025 |
JoSAA Counselling Seat Allocation (Round 1) | June 2025 |
JoSAA Registration Fees Last Date (Round 1) | June 2025 |
JoSAA Counselling Seat Allocation (Round 2) | June 2025 |
JoSAA Registration Fees Last Date (Round 1) | June 2025 |
JoSAA Counselling Seat Allocation (Round 3) | July 2025 |
JoSAA Registration Fees Last Date (Round 3) | July 2025 |
JoSAA Counselling Seat Allocation (Round 4) | July 2025 |
JoSAA Registration Fees Last Date (Round 4) | July 2025 |
JoSAA Counselling Seat Allocation (Round 5) | July 2025 |
JoSAA Registration Fees Last Date (Round 5) | July 2025 |
