DASA Scheme: Study in India’s Top Engineering Colleges

India has always been a land of knowledge, innovation, and timeless wisdom. In the last few decades, it has also emerged as a global hub for higher education, known for its academic excellence, affordable tuition, and internationally reputed institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).

For thousands of students living outside India, the desire to connect with their roots while receiving a world-class technical education has grown stronger than ever. To make this dream a reality, the Government of India introduced a visionary initiative — the Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme.

The DASA scheme serves as a golden gateway for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Foreign Nationals, Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who wish to study engineering, architecture, or planning in India’s top colleges. It not only simplifies the admission process but also reinforces India’s position as a preferred destination for quality education and global learning.

When and Why Was DASA Introduced?

The DASA scheme was launched in the early 2000s by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Its vision was to attract bright international students and NRI candidates to pursue higher education in India while fostering cultural exchange and academic collaboration.

The initiative also plays a central role in the “Study in India” campaign — a government-backed effort to showcase India as an affordable and credible destination for global education. Through DASA, students get a chance to experience India’s diverse academic environment, cutting-edge research, and multicultural campus life.

Over the years, DASA has helped thousands of students from more than 40 countries secure admission to premier institutions such as NITs, IIITs, SPAs (Schools of Planning and Architecture), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) across India.

Who Is Eligible for DASA?

The DASA admission process is designed to ensure that meritorious international students, NRIs, and children of Indian workers abroad have access to India’s top technical institutions.

1. Nationality Criteria

Eligible applicants include:

• Foreign Nationals, OCIs, PIOs, and Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries (CIWG).
• The CIWG countries include United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
• Indian citizens who completed their Class 11 and 12 (or equivalent) education abroad are also eligible to apply under DASA.

2. Academic Qualification

For B.E./B.Tech:

Applicants must have a valid JEE (Main) rank and should have passed the Senior Secondary (10+2) or equivalent examination recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The qualifying subjects must include Mathematics, Physics, and one of Chemistry, Biotechnology, Computer Science, or Biology.

A minimum of 75% marks (or 7.5 CGPA out of 10) is required in aggregate.

For B.Arch:

Candidates must possess a valid JEE (Main) B.Arch paper rank and should have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, or a 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics as a compulsory subject. A minimum of 75% aggregate marks (or 7.5 CGPA) is necessary.

For B.Plan:

Applicants must have a valid JEE (Main) B.Plan rank and must have studied Mathematics as a compulsory subject in 10+2. They should have obtained at least 75% marks (or 7.5 CGPA) as per their board’s criteria.

3. Age Limit

The DASA 2025 admission guidelines specify a birth-date-based age limit for undergraduate admissions, which must be verified from the official DASA portal before applying.

Who Can Apply Under DASA?

Students who have studied abroad for at least two consecutive years (including NRIs) before applying are eligible. The DASA scheme primarily benefits:

• NRI students seeking admission to India’s top engineering colleges.
• Foreign nationals aiming for globally recognized Indian engineering or architecture degrees.
• Children of Indian workers in Gulf countries (CIWG), who are eligible for special fee concessions.
• hrough DASA, these students can gain admission to NITs, IIITs, SPAs, and other centrally funded institutions that maintain the same rigorous academic standards as IITs.

How to Apply for the DASA Scheme

Students aspiring to apply under the DASA 2025 admission process must follow an online procedure through the official DASA portal:

• Registration: Create an account on the official DASA website.
• Form Submission: Complete the online application form carefully, entering all personal and academic details.
• Upload Documents: Submit scanned copies of the required academic certificates, passport, and JEE (Main) scorecard.
• Fee Payment: Pay the prescribed DASA application fee online within the deadline mentioned in the official schedule.
• Seat Allotment: Admissions are based on JEE (Main) ranks, choice preferences, and availability of seats in participating institutions.

Only candidates who complete the online application and payment process within the stipulated timeframe are considered for DASA seat allocation.

Why Choose DASA?

The Direct Admission of Students Abroad scheme is more than an admission route — it’s a bridge connecting India’s educational excellence with global aspirations.

Some of its key advantages include:

• Transparent and merit-based admission process.
• Access to India’s top-ranked engineering and architecture institutes.
• International exposure through interaction with students from diverse countries.
• Affordable education compared to Western countries.
• Special provisions for CIWG students to make quality education accessible.
• For students seeking engineering admission in India for NRIs, DASA offers the perfect blend of academic rigour, cultural diversity, and career opportunities.

A World of Opportunities Through DASA

The DASA scheme 2025 is not just an admission policy — it’s a vision to make India a true global education destination. By offering equal opportunity, transparent selection, and international recognition, DASA enables talented NRI and foreign students to study engineering in India and become part of its innovation-driven future.

For those who dream of reconnecting with their roots while pursuing a world-class degree, DASA is the golden bridge between aspiration and achievement.

Sources:  DASA and CSAB-Special | CENTRAL SEAT ALLOCATION BOARD (CSAB) | India |  DASA 2025-Direct Admission of Students Abroad | DASA scheme: How admissions for UG, PG courses take place, eligibility conditions and more | Hindustan Times