The JoSAA Counselling 2026 process has officially started, bringing excellent news for lakhs of engineering aspirants across India. The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) has released the latest seat matrix for all participating institutions, revealing a significant increase in seats across IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

This year, JoSAA counselling offers more opportunities than ever before, with a total increase of 4,470 seats compared to the previous year.

In 2025, students competed for 62,853 seats, whereas in 2026, admissions will be conducted for 67,323 seats across the country's premier technical institutions.

Total Seats Available Through JoSAA Counselling 2026

The increase in seats is expected to improve admission chances for students participating through JEE Main 2026 and JEE Advanced 2026.

Admission Through JoSAA 2026

JoSAA conducts admissions to India's top engineering institutes, including:

• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
• National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
• Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
• Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs)

Students can secure admission in programs such as:

• B.Tech
• Integrated B.Tech-M.Tech
• Dual Degree Programs
• B.Tech-MBA
• Bachelor of Science (BS)
• Architecture Programs

IIT Seats Increased by 666 in 2026

One of the biggest highlights of JoSAA Counselling 2026 is the addition of 666 seats across the 23 IITs.

The total IIT seat count has increased from 18,160 in 2025 to 18,826 in 2026.

This expansion is expected to benefit thousands of students who narrowly missed admission to their preferred IITs and branches in previous years.

IITs with Major Seat Increases

• IIT Jodhpur: +140 seats (610 to 750)
• IIT Mandi: +120 seats (520 to 640)
• IIT Indore: +80 seats
• IIT Palakkad: +80 seats
• IIT Hyderabad: +75 seats
• IIT Jammu: +75 seats
• IIT Ropar: Increased seats
• IIT Kanpur: Increased seats
• IIT Kharagpur: Increased seats
• IIT Delhi: Increased seats
• IIT Bhubaneswar: Increased seats
• IIT Bombay: Increased seats

Despite reductions at IIT Dharwad (-30) and IIT Madras (-3), the overall increase remains substantial.

IISc Bangalore Joins JoSAA Counselling for the First Time

A historic development in JoSAA Counselling 2026 is the inclusion of IISc Bangalore.

For the first time, students can secure admission to IISc Bangalore's B.Tech programs through JEE Advanced scores and JoSAA counselling.

IISc Bangalore Seat Distribution

• Aerospace Engineering – 25 Seats
• Materials Science and Engineering – 25 Seats
• Mathematics and Computing – 50 Seats
• Mechanics and Computing – 25 Seats

Total Seats: 125

With IISc included, the total seats available through JEE Advanced-based admissions rise to 18,951.

NIT Seats Increased to 25,162

The 31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs) have also expanded their intake capacity.

• Seats in 2025: 24,525
• Seats in 2026: 25,162
• Additional Seats: 637

This increase is expected to improve admission opportunities for candidates qualifying through JEE Main 2026.

Largest Seat Expansion in IIITs

The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) have witnessed the largest expansion this year.

IIIT Seat Growth

• Previous Seats: 9,940
• Current Seats: 11,518
• Increase: 1,578 Seats

The expansion reflects growing demand for technology-focused disciplines such as:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Data Science
• Computer Science Engineering
• Information Technology

GFTIs Add 1,464 New Seats

Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) have also expanded significantly.

GFTI Seat Statistics

• 2025 Seats: 10,228
• 2026 Seats: 11,692
• New Seats Added: 1,464

Additionally, nine new GFTIs have joined JoSAA Counselling 2026, increasing the total number of participating GFTIs to 56.

Number of Participating Institutions Increased to 136

The total number of institutions participating in JoSAA has increased significantly.

JoSAA 2025

• 23 IITs
• 31 NITs
• 26 IIITs
• 47 GFTIs
• IIEST Shibpur

Total: 128 Institutions

JoSAA 2026

• 23 IITs
• 31 NITs
• 26 IIITs
• 56 GFTIs
• IISc Bangalore

Total: 136 Institutions

This expansion gives students more choices during the counselling process.

What Does This Mean for Students?

The increase of 4,470 seats is excellent news for engineering aspirants because:

• More students will receive seat allotments.
• Cutoffs may slightly relax in certain branches.
• More opportunities will be available in top institutions.
• New programs and institutes provide additional career options.
• IISc Bangalore admissions create a prestigious new pathway for top JEE Advanced candidates.

Conclusion

JoSAA Counselling 2026 has become one of the most student-friendly counselling sessions in recent years. With 4,470 additional seats, the inclusion of IISc Bangalore, and significant seat expansion across IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, candidates now have a better chance of securing admission to their desired institute and branch.

Students should carefully fill their choices, analyze previous year cutoffs, and participate in all counselling rounds to maximize their admission opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How many seats are available in JoSAA Counselling 2026?

A total of 67,323 seats are available through JoSAA Counselling 2026.

Q2. How many new seats have been added in JoSAA 2026?

A total of 4,470 additional seats have been added compared to 2025.

Q3. How many IIT seats are available in 2026?

There are 18,826 seats available across 23 IITs in 2026.

Q4. How many seats were added in IITs for 2026?

A net increase of 666 seats has been recorded across IITs.

Q5. Is IISc Bangalore participating in JoSAA 2026?

Yes, IISc Bangalore is participating in JoSAA counselling for the first time.

Q6. How many seats are available at IISc Bangalore through JoSAA?

A total of 125 B.Tech seats are available.

Q7. Which IISc courses are offered through JoSAA?

Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mathematics & Computing, and Mechanics & Computing.

Q8. How many NIT seats are available in 2026?

There are 25,162 seats available across NITs.

Q9. How many seats have been added in NITs?

A total of 637 seats have been added.

Q10. Which institution category saw the largest increase in seats?

IIITs recorded the highest increase with 1,578 additional seats.

Q11. How many IIIT seats are available in 2026?

A total of 11,518 seats are available.

Q12. How many GFTI seats are available in 2026?

A total of 11,692 seats are available.

Q13. How many new GFTIs have been added?

Nine new GFTIs have joined JoSAA 2026.

Q14. How many institutions are participating in JoSAA 2026?

A total of 136 institutions are participating.

Q15. Will the seat increase reduce cutoffs?

While cutoffs depend on demand and preferences, additional seats may improve admission chances in several branches.

Q16. Can JEE Main candidates participate in JoSAA?

Yes, JEE Main qualified candidates can apply for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

Q17. Can JEE Advanced candidates participate in JoSAA?

Yes, JEE Advanced qualified candidates can apply for IITs and IISc Bangalore through JoSAA.

Q18. Is JoSAA counselling mandatory for IIT admissions?

Yes, admission to IITs is conducted only through JoSAA counselling.

Q19. What is the benefit of increased IIT seats?

More students can secure admission to top IITs and preferred branches.

Q20. What should students do during choice filling?

Students should prioritize branch preference, institute preference, placement records, location, and future career goals while filling choices.