CSAB Counselling 2026: Hurry Up! Last opportunity to Restore Cancelled Category for JoSAA Aspirants

23^rd July is the Last Date to Restore Cancelled Category

Students participating in CSAB Counselling 2026 have received a major relief. Candidates whose reserved category status was cancelled during JoSAA Counselling 2026 due to missing or invalid category documents now have another chance to restore their original category.

This decision can help eligible candidates reclaim the benefits of reservation during the CSAB Special Rounds.

Big Relief for Students Whose Category Was Cancelled in JoSAA

During the JoSAA counselling process, several candidates were shifted to the Open (General) category because they failed to submit valid category certificates during online reporting.

The issue affected students belonging to OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, and ST categories.

Many OBC-NCL and EWS candidates did not have certificates issued after April 1, 2026, while some SC and ST candidates were unable to submit their category certificates on time.

As a result, their reserved category status was cancelled, reducing their chances of securing seats under reservation quotas.

CSAB 2026 Allows Category Restoration

To support affected students, CSAB 2026 has introduced a special facility that allows candidates to restore their cancelled category before participating in the CSAB Special Counselling rounds.

If your category was cancelled in JoSAA due to document-related issues but you now possess a valid and updated certificate, you can apply for category restoration through the CSAB portal.

This is a one-time opportunity for eligible candidates to regain the reservation benefits that were unavailable during JoSAA counselling.

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Who Can Apply for Category Restoration?

The category restoration facility is available for candidates who:

Belong to OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, or ST categories.
Had their reserved category cancelled during JoSAA counselling.
Were considered under the Open (General) category because of missing or invalid documents.
Now possess a valid category certificate that meets the prescribed requirements.

Candidates who satisfy these conditions should complete the restoration process before participating in CSAB counselling.

Last Date to Restore Category

Students can submit their category restoration request on the CSAB portal from July 2 to July 23, 2026.

CSAB has released a public notice along with a dedicated link where eligible candidates can upload their updated category certificate.

Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day, as any delay may prevent them from receiving the reservation benefits during seat allotment.\

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How to Restore Your Category in CSAB Counselling 2026

Eligible candidates can complete the process by following these simple steps:

Visit the official CSAB counselling portal.
Open the category restoration link mentioned in the public notice.
Upload a scanned copy of your valid category certificate.
Submit the application and save the confirmation receipt.
Wait for verification by the counselling authorities.

Once the documents are successfully verified, the candidate’s original reserved category will be restored for the CSAB counselling process.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Restoring your reserved category can significantly improve your chances of securing admission under the applicable reservation quota.

Candidates who were earlier treated as Open category students can now compete within their rightful category, which may lead to better seat allotment opportunities in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs through the CSAB Special Rounds.

Students who have recently obtained valid OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, or ST certificates should not miss this opportunity.

The category restoration window announced by CSAB is excellent news for thousands of students who lost their reservation benefits during JoSAA counselling due to documentation issues.

If your category was cancelled and you now have the required certificate, complete the restoration process before July 23, 2026 and participate in CSAB Counselling 2026 with your eligible reservation status.

This one-time facility could improve your admission prospects and help you secure a seat in your preferred NIT, IIIT, or GFTI under the appropriate reservation category.

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