DASA: Admission Guide for Foreign Nationals, PIOs, NRIs, and OCIs to Top Technical Institutes in India

Are you a foreign national, Person of Indian Origin (PIO), Non-Resident Indian (NRI), or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) aiming to study at India’s top technical institutes? The Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme, under the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, provides a pathway for eligible students to pursue undergraduate programs in premier institutions across the country. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the DASA admissions process and secure your place in India's leading technical institutes.

1. What is DASA?

The DASA scheme was established in the 2001-02 academic session to offer direct admission to foreign nationals, PIOs, NRIs, and OCIs in India’s top technical institutions. Managed by the Ministry of Education, the DASA program has become a vital gateway for international students seeking a world-class technical education in India.

2. Institutes Under DASA

The DASA scheme covers 66 premier technical institutions, including:

• 31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs)

• 1 Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST)

• 11 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)

• 3 Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs)

• 19 other premier technical institutions

This broad selection gives students access to some of the best engineering, architecture, and planning programs in the country.

3. Eligibility Criteria

a. Age Limit

Applicants must be born on or after October 1, 1999. The date of birth must be consistent with the official Secondary Education Board or equivalent certificate.

b. Academic Eligibility

To qualify for admission under the DASA scheme, students must have completed their 12th grade (or equivalent) with the following subjects:

• Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics, Physics, and one subject from Chemistry, Biotechnology, Computer Science, or Biology.

• Minimum Marks: A minimum of 75% marks or a CGPA of 7.5 out of 10 is required.

• JEE Main Rank: A valid JEE Main rank is mandatory for the admission process.

For Architecture courses, students must complete 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or a 10+3 diploma with Mathematics as a compulsory subject. For Planning courses, applicants must pass 10+2 with Mathematics and secure at least 75% marks or a 7.5 CGPA.

c. Residential Requirement

Indian nationals applying under the DASA scheme must have completed at least two years of education abroad (including 11th and 12th grades) within the last 8 years and must have passed the qualifying examination from a foreign country.

4. CIWG Quota

For Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries (CIWG), 5% of the DASA seats are reserved. This ensures that students whose parents work in Gulf countries have enhanced opportunities for admission under the DASA scheme. The countries covered under CIWG include:

• UAE

• Bahrain

• Iraq

• Iran

• Kuwait

• Oman

• Qatar

• Saudi Arabia

5. Registration Process

To apply for the DASA scheme, candidates need to create an account and register on the official website: www.dasanit.org. After registration, applicants can complete the form and upload the required documents for consideration.

6. Documents Required for Application

When filling out the application for DASA, students must upload the following documents:

• Passport (or an authenticated Citizenship Card for Nepalese nationals).

• Proof of date of birth (Secondary Education Board certificate or government-issued certificate).

• Mark sheets from 10th, 11th, and 12th (or equivalent) examinations.

• Certificate from the school confirming the completion of 11th and 12th grades (in the format provided in Appendix-II).

• Percentage or CGPA equivalence certificate (if applicable).

• Proof of two years of education abroad (for NRIs).

• JEE Main scorecard.

Additional Documents for CIWG Applicants:

• Parent’s passport.

• Parent’s valid visa and work permit.

• Employment certificate from the Gulf-based company or organization.

7. Nepalese Applicants: Authentication of Citizenship Card

Applicants from Nepal applying under the DASA scheme must submit a copy of their authenticated residential proof (passport or citizenship card) along with the application. This authentication can be obtained from the Embassy of India in Kathmandu or the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi. It is recommended to begin this process early to ensure timely submission of documents during admission.

8. Seat Allotment Process

Seat allotment is primarily based on the JEE Main rank and the choices filled by the applicants, arranged in order of merit. The process typically involves four rounds of admissions, followed by an internal sliding round and a special round to ensure that all seats are allotted based on merit and preferences.

Conclusion

The DASA scheme provides a valuable opportunity for foreign nationals, NRIs, and PIOs to study at India’s top engineering, architecture, and planning institutes. With reserved seats for CIWG candidates and a merit-based admission process, this scheme offers a transparent and accessible pathway for international students to secure a world-class technical education in India.

For further details and to begin your application process, visit www.dasanit.org.