Reservation Criteria and CIWG 2026

The Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) 2026 scheme provides reservation of seats for specific categories of overseas candidates. This page outlines the reservation structure, with special emphasis on the CIWG (Children of Indian Workers in Gulf) scheme, including eligibility, country list, fee benefits, and required documentation.

DASA 2026 – Seat Reservation Structure

Under the DASA scheme, 15% supernumerary seats are created in participating institutions exclusively for eligible candidates. Within this 15% supernumerary quota, 5% seats (one-third of the DASA quota) are reserved specifically for candidates applying under the CIWG (Children of Indian Workers in Gulf) category.

Important Note: The CIWG reservation is applicable only within the 15% supernumerary seats created for DASA candidates. These seats are over and above the regular sanctioned intake of the institutes.

CIWG Scheme 2026 – Overview

The CIWG (Children of Indian Workers in Gulf) scheme is a special sub-category under the DASA umbrella, exclusively designed for children of Indian citizens employed in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The scheme offers significant tuition fee concession and reserved seat quota to eligible candidates.

CIWG 2026 – Eligible Countries

Candidates whose parent(s) are employed in the following Gulf countries are eligible to apply under the CIWG quota:

Note: Iran is not included in the CIWG scheme. Candidates with parents employed in Iran should apply under the general DASA NRI category.

CIWG 2026 – Tuition Fee Benefits

The CIWG scheme offers substantial financial benefits to eligible candidates:

For NITs and IIEST Shibpur:

• Candidates admitted under the CIWG category shall pay a tuition fee of ₹1,25,000 per annum (or equivalent in USD).
• This is significantly lower than the general DASA tuition fee (approximately USD 4,000 per annum).

For Institutions other than NITs and IIEST Shibpur:

• Candidates admitted under the CIWG category shall pay tuition fee as per the rules of the admitting institute.
• The fee concession may vary across different institutions (IIITs, SPAs, CFTIs, etc.).
• Candidates are advised to visit the official website of the respective institute or contact their admission office directly for the exact fee structure applicable to CIWG candidates.
• Any balance tuition fee, if applicable over and above the CIWG concession, must be paid as per institute norms.

CIWG 2026 – Eligibility Criteria

The academic and entrance examination eligibility for CIWG candidates is identical to that of NRI candidates under the DASA scheme. Meeting the CIWG reservation criteria does not relax the academic or JEE Main rank requirements.

Key Eligibility Conditions:

• Valid JEE Main 2026 Rank: Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech, Paper 2A for B.Arch, Paper 2B for B.Plan.
• Class XII Qualification: Passed with Physics, Mathematics, and one of Chemistry/Biotechnology/Computer Science/Biology (for B.E./B.Tech).
• Minimum Marks: 75% aggregate (or 7.5 CGPA) in qualifying examination. 5% relaxation for SC/ST candidates.
• Age: Born on or after 1st October 2001.
• Study Abroad Requirement: Must have studied Class XI and Class XII (or equivalent) in a Gulf country and passed the qualifying examination from abroad.
• Parental Employment: At least one parent must be an Indian citizen employed in a CIWG-eligible Gulf country.

CIWG 2026 – Documents Required

Candidates applying under the CIWG quota must upload the following additional documents along with the standard DASA application documents. All documents must be clearly legible and in JPG/JPEG/PDF format (file size < 500 KB each).

Important: All uploaded documents must show the candidate’s name and parent’s name exactly as they appear in the passport, JEE Main 2026 scorecard, and DASA application form. Any discrepancy may lead to disqualification.

CIWG 2026 – Key Rules and Provisions

1. Eligibility Parity: The academic and entrance eligibility criteria for CIWG candidates are identical to those of NRI candidates. Reservation under CIWG does not exempt candidates from meeting the minimum JEE Main rank or qualifying examination marks requirements.
2. Lapsed Seats: Any vacant/unoccupied seats out of the 5% reservation under the CIWG quota shall be reverted to the general DASA category for subsequent allotment rounds.
3. Dual Consideration: Candidates eligible for the CIWG quota may also opt to be considered for general DASA category seats. Such candidates will be considered under both categories during seat allotment, with the more beneficial outcome applied.
4. Fee Refund: If a CIWG-eligible candidate is allotted a seat under the general DASA category due to higher preference or rank, the difference in tuition fee (between general DASA and CIWG fee) is refunded/adjusted as per DASA norms.
5. Validity of Documents: All documents submitted as proof of parental employment in Gulf countries must be valid as of any date in 2026. Documents with expiry dates prior to 2026 will not be accepted.
6. Verification: The DASA Coordinating Institute reserves the right to verify the authenticity of CIWG documents with the issuing authorities. Submission of fraudulent documents will result in immediate disqualification and legal action.

DASA 2026 – CIWG vs General NRI: Fee Comparison

Note: The above fee comparison is indicative. Actual fee for DASA 2026 will be published in the official information brochure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – CIWG Scheme 2026

1. Is CIWG a separate quota or a sub-category of DASA?
CIWG is a sub-category under the DASA scheme, with 5% of supernumerary seats reserved exclusively for eligible candidates.

2. Can OCI/PIO candidates apply under CIWG?
No. CIWG is specifically for children of Indian citizens working in Gulf countries. OCI/PIO candidates without Indian citizenship are not eligible. They may apply under the general DASA category.

3. Does CIWG reservation apply to all DASA-participating institutes?
Yes, CIWG quota is available in all NITs, IIEST Shibpur, IIITs, SPAs, and other CFTIs that participate in DASA. However, the fee concession structure may vary for non-NIT institutions.

4. What if both parents are working in different Gulf countries?
The candidate can submit documents of either parent working in any of the CIWG-eligible Gulf countries.

5. Is there any age relaxation for CIWG candidates?
No. The age criteria for CIWG candidates is the same as DASA NRI candidates: born on or after 1st October 2001.

6. Can a candidate who studied Class XI and XII in India but whose parent works in Gulf apply under CIWG?
No. One of the essential conditions for CIWG eligibility is that the candidate must have studied Class XI and Class XII (or equivalent) in a Gulf country and passed the qualifying examination from abroad.

7. What is the last date to submit CIWG documents?
The deadline for uploading CIWG documents will be specified in the DASA 2026 information brochure. Generally, it is the same as the application deadline.

8. Are CIWG documents required in hard copy?
No. All documents must be uploaded online through the DASA portal. Hard copies are not to be sent to the DASA office.

Important Notes and Disclaimers

• This page is updated for DASA 2026 admissions (Academic Year 2026-27).
• The CIWG country list, fee structure, and reservation percentage are subject to change as per the official DASA 2026 Information Brochure published by the Ministry of Education and the coordinating institute.
• The coordinating institute for DASA 2026 is expected to be NIT Calicut, subject to final confirmation.
• Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official DASA website (https://dasanit.org) for the latest updates, brochures, and corrigenda.
• For specific queries related to CIWG eligibility and documentation, candidates may contact the DASA Coordinating Institute through the official portal after the release of the brochure.

This page is for informational purposes only. ALLEN Overseas does not guarantee the accuracy of reservation criteria and CIWG details not yet officially released by the competent authority. Candidates must refer to official notifications from the Ministry of Education and DASA for final confirmation.