CSAB 2025 FAQs: Special Rounds, Vacant Seats & Refund Policy

CSAB 2025 FAQS: The special rounds of counselling by CSAB are conducted upon the completion of JoSAA counselling to fill vacant college seats in NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, and GFTIs. CSAB 2025 Special Rounds can be your golden chance, in case you have missed the spot in JoSAA or want to improve it.

This article is a guide to all aspects of CSAB 2025, including special round vacant seats, eligibility, counselling process, refund, and frequently asked questions about CSAB.

CSAB Special Round Vacant Seats 2025

CSAB Special Round Vacant Seats 2025 refer to seats that have been left by NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, and GFTIs after they have completed JoSAA counselling. The vacancies are made available because of withdrawal, non-reporting, or because of upgradation of candidates. Before the beginning of the special round counselling process, CSAB unveils an official matrix of the available seats, which provides interested JEE Main 2025 applicants with one last opportunity to enrol in a university.

Q.1 When will the CSAB Special Round Vacant Seats 2025 be announced?   

Ans. The Special Round Vacant Seat Matrix 2025 CSAB will become available in a few days before the commencement of the actual CSAB registration, i.e., most probably during the first week of August 2025, through the available official CSAB site (csab.nic.in).

Q.2 How to access vacant seats of CSAB 2025?                                                               

Ans. On the CSAB portal, the list of vacant seats will be provided institute-wise, branch-wise, and category-wise. It will be released online or can be downloaded as a PDF.

Q.3 Number of institutes are in the CSAB Special Round, Vacant seats 2025?                   

Ans. There are several institutes used for the CSAB Special Round

• 31 NITs
• 25 IIITs
• IIEST Shibpur
• 22 GFTIs

Q.4 How many vacant seats were available in the previous CSAB Special Rounds?       

Ans. Provision of around 6,700+ empty seats was seen in CSAB 2024, which included NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IIEST following JoSAA counselling. In CSAB 2025, a slightly increased or similar number can be expected.

Q.5 Will the CSAB Special Round Vacant Seats list be updated after Round 1?                 

Ans. No, Publication of the vacant seat with each list is made once preceding Round 1. Round 2- Seats are again re-allocated on a Round 2 basis on availability through sliding/upgradation. Between the rounds, no new list of vacancies is issued.

Check out: CSAB Opening and Closing Ranks 2025: Check NIT, IIIT, GFTI Cutoff Trends 

CSAB 2025 Counselling Process

Failure to be selected in JoSAA earns one a place in CSAB 2025 Counseling Process, which has two special rounds to fill seats not taken up in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IIEST Shibpur. Eligible candidates should then log in to the official CSAB website, make the appropriate payment towards the counselling fee, and fill in the options they prefer. The allotment of the seats depends on JEE Main 2025 rank, category, and the availability of the seats. In each round, candidates are allowed a choice to freeze or slide his/her assigned seat.

Q.1 Who is eligible to participate in CSAB 2025 counselling?                                               

Ans. All the eligible candidates with a valid JEE-Main score 2025 and those who have not been admitted to any institution with the help of JoSAA can be involved in the CSAB 2025 counselling. The candidates who had withdrawn or otherwise not reported in JoSAA can also be registered.

Q.2 Is a fresh registration required for CSAB counselling?                                                   

Ans. Yes, you should note that even on the registration of JoSAA, you still have to do the registration of CSAB 2025 under the given dates on the said official site, nic.In.

Q.3 How many rounds will be conducted in CSAB 2025?                                                       

Ans. It will take place in two rounds: Special Round 1 and Special Round 2. After Special Round 2, there will be no additional rounds.

Q.4 How can I make changes to my selections after Round 1?                                             

Ans. No. You are not able to make any changes once you have locked your preferences when you do the registration, and this is before the College alerts you of Round 1 and Round 2.

Q.5 What happens if I don’t get a seat in CSAB Round 1?                                                   

Ans. You will automatically be considered in Round 2. No re-registering.

Q.6 What happens if I get a seat in CSAB and don't report?                                                   

Ans. In case you do not report to the institute provided to you within the given period, and after getting a seat, your seat will be canceled, and you may not even get your money back, depending on the policy.

CSAB 2025 Refund Policy

The CSAB 2025 refund policy enables the candidates to claim a refund if no seat in either of the rounds or before the stipulated deadline is allotted, or if any withdrawal is observed by the candidate. Refunds are mostly automatic on the date when the counselling process is over, depending on the terms and conditions.

Q.1  What is the counselling fee for CSAB 2025?                                                                     

Ans. The counselling fee for CSAB 2025 is:

₹44,000 for GEN/OBC candidates

₹24,000 for SC/ST/PwD candidates

This is inclusive of a security deposit of 39,000 or 19,000, respectively, which is refundable.

Q.2 Is the CSAB counselling fee refundable?                                                                       

Ans. Yes, the fee for counselling is partly refundable. The amount refundable will be recovered in case:

In both rounds, you do not have a seat assigned to you.

You withdraw before a specified time (as mentioned by CSAB).

Q.3 What is the refund part of the money given when there is no seat assigned?               

Ans. In a case where a seat is not assigned, the security deposit (energy of 39,000 or energy of 19,000) will be refunded with such deductions as might be processed charges. The specific amount of deduction will be informed in the official brochure.

Q.4 How do I apply for a refund after CSAB counselling?                                                 

Ans. Refunds will most often be automatically returned to the payment account. No manual, application is required unless otherwise specified.

Q.5  When will the refund be processed?                                                                               

Ans. The refunds are usually made in 4-6 weeks following the end of CSAB Special Round 2. The candidates are requested to check the official page and their bank account.

Read More: JoSAA vs CSAB Counselling 2025

CSAB 2025 Seat Acceptance

Under CSAB 2025, when a seat has been assigned to the candidate then the candidate has to accept the seat by selecting either the Freeze or Slide option and uploading prescribed documents online. Admission or proceeding to the next round is only possible through accepting the seat.

Q.1 What is the deadline to accept a seat in CSAB 2025?                                                       

Ans. You should not delay taking the assigned place within the time frame that is indicated in the formal timetable; otherwise, cancellation would occur.

Q.2 What is the difference between Freeze and Slide options?                                           

Ans. Freeze fixes you to the present seat, and Slide enables you to upgrade in the same institute in the next round.

Q.3 Is seat acceptance mandatory after allotment in CSAB?                                                 

Ans. Indeed, refusing to take the seat will lead to cancellation and risk of losing the opportunity for counselling.

Top CSAB FAQs 2025

Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding the CSAB Counselling 2025:

Q.1 What is CSAB?                                                                                                                 

Ans. The Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) is tasked to do the seat allotment of the vacant seats in top technical institutes of India, which do not get filled during the JoSAA counselling.

There are three major categories of counselling executed by CSAB:

CSAB Special Rounds- After JoSAA rounds, NITs, IIITs, IIEST, and GFTIs, vacant seats are available for the students.

CSAB NEUT - Candidates of the North-Eastern states and the Union Territories.

CSAB Supernumerary- This will apply to foreigners, Non-Resident Indians, and children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries.

Q2. Can I participate in CSAB if I didn’t get a seat in JoSAA?                                               

Ans. Yes. In case you scored valid in JEE Main 2025 and failed to allot your seat in JoSAA counselling, your name is eligible in CSAB special rounds.

Q3. What if I already have a JoSAA seat but want a better option?                                   

Ans. You are free to do a CSAB, but when they allot you a fresh seat and you accept it, then your previous JoSAA seat will be dropped.

Q4. How many rounds are conducted in CSAB Special Counselling?                                 

Ans. CSAB Special Counselling has only 2 rounds. After CSAB Special Round 2, there are no additional rounds.

Q5. Can I change my choices between Round 1 and Round 2?                                       

Ans. No. After locking the choices before Round 1, it is not possible to change those choices during Round 2.

Q6. Can top degrees like CSE or ECE be had in CSAB?                                                   

Ans. Well, that is provided I have drop-outs or no reports. Your JEE Main ranking and category, however, greatly determine chances.

Q7. Will CSAB carry out IITs counselling?                                                                         

Ans. No. IITs do not belong to CSAB. JEE Advanced and JoSAA are the only authorities that deal with them.

Check Out: JoSAA Seat Matrix 2025 Expected total nit , iiit and gfti seats in india

Final Words

You may not have gotten a seat under JoSAA, or you may wish for a shot at a better rank in NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs. CSAB 2025 Special Rounds is your last chance. Do not miss it.

Thousands of vacant seats in the CSAB special round can be considered, and having a dream college has been achieved by many students in this way. 

Note significant dates. Save up on significant dates.

Apply in due time

Fill your choices wisely

Learn the refund and withdrawal rules.