Embarking on the exciting journey of higher education is a dream shared by
many. For NRI JEE aspirants, the Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA)
serves as a pathway, unlocking opportunities for prestigious engineering
programs in India.
Instituted by the Indian government, the DASA program offers a unique
opportunity for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Foreign Nationals, and Persons of
Indian Origin (PIOs). This initiative is designed to facilitate direct admissions to
coveted undergraduate and post graduate programs
Under the DASA scheme, eligible candidates gain access to top-tier institutions.
These include National Institutes of Technology, other centrally funded
institutes (excluding IITs), and Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh.

What is DASA?

DASA, or the Direct Admission of Students Abroad, initiated by the Ministry of
Education in May 2001, is a seat reservation scheme designed to facilitate
Technical Education in India. This innovative program caters to a diverse group,
including Foreign Nationals (FNs), wards of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). The scheme extends opportunities for admission to renowned institutions such as National
Institutes of Technology (NITs) and other Centrally Funded Technical
Institutions, excluding the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
One distinctive feature of DASA is the implementation of a seat reservation
scheme by the Ministry of Education, known as the DASA Quota. This exclusive
quota serves as a vital channel for NRI students globally, providing them access
to admissions in a group of colleges collectively referred to as Centrally Funded
Universities in India (CFTIs). This strategic initiative not only broadens the
horizons for international and overseas Indian students but also contributes to
fostering a globally inclusive academic environment.

Eligibility Criteria for admissions under DASA scheme:

In the pursuit of academic excellence through the Direct Admission of Students
Abroad (DASA), understanding the eligibility criteria is fundamental. The DASA
scheme, curated by the Ministry of Education, extends its unique pathway to a
diverse group of students worldwide. The eligibility requirements are as follows:

Nationality Inclusion:

To be eligible for DASA, candidates must be either Foreign Nationals (FNs),
wards of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), or
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). This expansive approach ensures a global pool of
aspirants can benefit from this initiative.

Educational Background:

Candidates must have completed both 11th and 12th grades or their equivalent,
in a foreign country within the last eight years. This prerequisite ensures a
foundational international educational experience for applicants.

Qualifying Exam Rank/Score:

One of the pivotal requirements for DASA eligibility is a valid rank or score in
the qualifying examination. For undergraduate programs, this often involves the
JEE-Main exam. Unlike the previous year SAT scores wont be valid. Aspiring
candidates must meet the specified criteria to ensure a competitive edge in the
admission process.

Age Restriction:

While there isn’t a strict age limit, candidates born on or after October 1, 1999,
are considered eligible for DASA Admissions in the relevant academic year.

Academic Qualification:

As a fundamental criterion, applicants are required to secure a minimum of
60% aggregate marks or a CGPA of 6.0 on a 10-point scale in their qualifying
examination. This benchmark ensures a baseline level of academic excellence
among aspiring candidates.

Grading System Equivalence:

Recognizing the diversity in grading systems worldwide, DASA accommodates
variations by accepting equivalence for other grading systems. In instances
where CGPA is awarded on a different scale or if only grades are provided, the
equivalence determined by the principal examination authorities will be
considered.

Subject Proficiency:

Successful candidates should have completed Mathematics, Physics, and one
additional subject from Chemistry, Biotechnology, Computer Science, or Biology
during their 11th and/or 12th grades, as applicable in their respective educational
boards.

Upcoming graduates:

Prospective applicants anticipating their final results from the academic year
2023-24, with the outcome expected by December 31, 2024, are eligible to apply.
This provision opens doors for those who are in the process of completing their
qualifying examinations, providing a pathway to seamlessly transition into
DASA admissions.
Understanding and fulfilling these eligibility criteria is the first step towards
unlocking the doors to premier institutions under the DASA scheme.
Prospective candidates are advised to thoroughly evaluate their qualifications
against these requirements to ensure a seamless and successful application
process.

DASA UG 2024 Application Process

The DASA UG 2024 application process is a pivotal step towards securing
admission to prestigious institutions. The important milestones and procedures
that participants need to be aware of are as follows:-

Online Registration Timeline:

The online registration for DASA UG 2024 is set to tentatively commence in the
third week of March 2024, marking the initiation of the application cycle.
Aspirants can access the official website to kickstart their application journey.

Rank Declaration Basis:

The DASA UG rank, crucial for admissions, is expected to be tentatively
declared in July 2024. This ranking is determined based on the participants’
performance in the JEE Main examination.

Accessible Application Form:

The DASA 2024 application form will be available in online mode during the
counseling period. Candidates are urged to visit dasanit.org to access and
complete the application form.

Eligibility Criteria Check:

Before initiating the application process, it is imperative for candidates to
thoroughly review the DASA UG 2024 eligibility criteria. Ensuring eligibility
aligns applicants with the prerequisites for a successful application.

Application Submission and Rank Declaration:

Upon filling out the application form on the DASA website, the DASA office will
declare the rank. This step is exclusively for students who have completed the
online registration process for DASA-2024.

Application Procedure Overview:

The application procedure encompasses various stages, including registration,
details submission, photo and signature uploads, and fee payment. The
application fee can be paid through debit card, credit card, net banking, or
SWIFT transfer, providing flexibility for participants.

Fee Structure under DASA Scheme

Application Fee
A non-refundable registration fee of around US $ 300 is necessary when
submitting the application form.
Tuition Fee
The annual tuition fee is US $ 4000 (excluding hostel accommodation and other
miscellaneous fees; additional expenses for these are estimated to be around
$400 per annum).

DASA Scheme Documentation: Essential Requirements

In the DASA application process, certain documents play a pivotal role. Here’s an
overview of the necessary documents and their specifications:

Photograph:

  • Recent passport-sized photo of the candidate
  • Maximum file size: 100kb.
  • Photo dimensions: 3.5 cm by 3.5 cm
  • Format: JPG

Signature:

  • Signature should be done on white paper
  • Maximum file size: 100kb
  • Format: JPG

Other Required Documents:

  1. Passport of the candidate
  2. Letter of Allotment
  3. JEE Scorecard
  4. Migration Certificate
  5. Transfer Certificate
  6. Proof of Date of Birth
  7. Mark sheets for Class X, XI, or XII
  8. School certificate verifying completion of XI and XII
  9. Comprehensive details of payment, if done via SWIFT transfer

General Guidelines

  • All documents can be in color, black and white, or grayscale
  • Maximum file size allowed: 500kb
  • Format: JPG

Ensuring the meticulous submission of these documents is crucial for a seamless
application process under the DASA scheme. Applicants are advised to adhere to
these specifications to facilitate efficient processing of their applications.

List of colleges under DASA

As indicated by the DASA 2024 Seat Matrix, there are a total of 3459 seats available.
Within this, 1147 seats are designated for CIWG candidates, and the remaining 2312 are
allocated for other DASA applicants. The list of colleges coming under DASA scheme is
as follows.

NITs – National Institute of
Technology
Number of seats in DASA
+CIWG
31 NITsNational Institute of
Technology, Agartala, Tripura
121
Motilal Nehru National
Institute of Technology,
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
123
National Institute of
Technology, Arunachal
Pradesh
35
National Institute of
Technology, Bhopal, Madhya
Pradesh
94
National Institute of
Technology, Calicut, Kerela
94
National Institute of
Technology, Delhi
27
National Institute of
Technology, Durgapur, West
Bengal
32
National Institute of
Technology, Goa
14
National Institute of
Technology, Hamirpur,
Himachal Pradesh
34
National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan55
National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab77
National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand25
National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, Haryana35
National Institute of Technology, Manipur27
National Institute of Technology, Mizoram23
National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra62
National Institute of Technology, Patna, Bihar89
National Institute of Technology, Puducherry, Karaikkal72
National Institute of Technology, Raipur, Chattisgarh28
National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha27
National Institute of Technology, Sikkim111
National Institute of Technology, Silchar, Assam12
National Institute of Technology, Srinagar53
Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat104
National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Suratkal, Karnataka111
National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu116
National Institute of Technology, Warangal, Telangana111
National Institute of Technology, Meghalaya5
National Institute of Technology, Uttarakhand25
National Institute of Technology, Nagaland15
IIITs – Indian Institute of Information Technology
11 IIITsIndian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh10
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur12
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kancheepuram9
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Vadodara, Gandhinagar, Gujarat14
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management, Gwalior39
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Pune22
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Sonepat16
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Chittor, Andhra Pradesh20
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Una, Himachal Pradesh26
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Vadodara (DIU)30
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kottayam21
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology
1 IISERIndian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur31
SPAs – School of Planning & Architectures
3 SPAsSchool of Planning & Architectures, Bhopal15
School of Planning & Architectures, Delhi12
School of Planning & Architectures, Vijayawada17
Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTI)
16 CFTIsPEC University of Technology, Chandigarh75
Delhi Technological University, Delhi88
Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi21
Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology, Longowal, Punjab72
National Institute of Foundry & Forge Technology, Ranchi, Jharkhand39
Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar108
National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, Aurangabad9
Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, Delhi29
Indian Maritime University (IMU)80
Tezpur University, Assam12
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu & Kashmir
20
The University Institute of Engineering of Technology (UIET), Punjab University, Chandigarh58
Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW)26
Manipal Institute Of Technology, Manipal273
Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT)149
UIET Punjab University Swami Sarvanand Giri Regional Centre (UIET PUSSRC), Hoshiarpur, Punjab20
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad or JNTUH21

Conclusion

Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) is a gateway for aspiring engineers around the world to access top-notch education in India. By understanding the eligibility criteria, application process, and key dates, prospective students can navigate this opportunity with confidence. As you embark on this educational journey, remember to check the latest updates on the official DASA website .