Step-by-Step Process of OJEE Counselling for BTech Seats in Odisha

 OJEE counselling determines which engineering college you get after clearing the exam. The process runs entirely online through the official portal, and missing even one step can cost you your seat. Students aiming for Best engineering colleges in Bhubaneswar need to understand exactly how counselling works and what documents they need.​

The counselling happens in multiple rounds starting June 2026, right after OJEE results come out. Each round involves registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and fee payment. Students who miss deadlines lose their chance for that round.

Before Counselling Starts

Download your OJEE scorecard from ojee.nic.in once results are declared in early June. This scorecard shows your rank, which determines your priority during seat allotment. Keep digital and printed copies ready.​

Collect all required documents: Class 10 certificate, Class 12 marksheet, OJEE admit card, OJEE scorecard, domicile certificate (for Odisha students), category certificate (SC/ST/OBC if applicable), passport-size photographs, and Aadhaar card. Get self-attested photocopies of everything.

Research college cutoffs from previous years. Check which colleges accepted your rank range last year. This helps you fill realistic choices during counselling and avoid wasting slots on colleges where you have no chance.

Step 1: Register for Counselling

Visit the official OJEE counselling portal when registration opens (announced on ojee.nic.in). Click on "New Registration" and create your login credentials using your OJEE roll number and date of birth.​

Fill in personal details exactly as they appear on your certificates. Any mismatch between your counselling form and certificates will create problems during document verification. Upload scanned copies of required documents in the specified format (usually JPG or PDF under 200KB).

Pay the counselling registration fee through net banking, debit card, or credit card. The fee is non-refundable, so complete the payment carefully. Save the payment receipt and registration confirmation page.

Step 2: Choice Filling

Log in to the counselling portal using your credentials. Navigate to the "Choice Filling" section. This is where you select which colleges and branches you want.​

You'll see a list of all participating colleges with available branches. Select your preferred combination of college and branch. You can choose up to 100-150 options (the exact number varies each year). Arrange them in order of preference with your top choice as number 1.

Don't leave gaps in your preference list. Fill as many choices as possible. The seat allotment algorithm works sequentially. If your rank doesn't get you choice 1, it tries choice 2, then 3, and so on. More choices mean better chances of getting some seat.

Save your choices after each selection. The portal has an auto-save feature, but manual saving prevents data loss. You can modify your choices until the choice filling window closes. Lock your final preference list only when you're completely satisfied.

Step 3: Choice Locking

After filling all choices, you must "lock" them before the deadline. Locking confirms your final preference order. Once locked, you cannot make changes.​

The system allows you to unlock and re-lock choices multiple times before the deadline. Use this feature if you want to change your strategy after researching more colleges. But once the deadline passes, whatever choices are locked become final.

Download and save the locked choice list PDF. This serves as proof if any technical issues arise later.

Step 4: Seat Allotment

The counselling authority processes all registrations and runs the seat allotment algorithm. Your rank determines which choice you get. If your rank qualifies for multiple choices, you receive the highest-preference choice only.

Seat allotment results are published on the portal (usually 3-5 days after choice locking ends). Log in to check your allotment status. Three outcomes are possible: seat allotted, seat not allotted, or waitlisted.​

If you get "seat allotted," the portal shows which college and branch you received. Download the allotment letter immediately. This letter contains your allotment details, reporting date, and fee payment instructions.

Step 5: Fee Payment and Admission Confirmation

Students who receive seat allotments must pay the admission fee within the specified deadline (typically 3-5 days). Payment happens online through the counselling portal or directly at the allotted college (check your allotment letter for instructions).​

The admission fee usually includes first-semester tuition, development fee, and security deposit. Amounts vary by college. Government colleges charge lower fees than private institutions. Keep your payment receipt safe as you'll need it during document verification.

Paying the fee confirms your admission. If you don't pay within the deadline, your seat is cancelled and offered to waitlisted candidates. No extensions are given, even for technical issues, so pay well before the deadline.

Step 6: Document Verification

After fee payment, report to your allotted college on the specified date for document verification. Carry all original certificates plus one set of self-attested photocopies.

College officials verify that your documents match the details you submitted during counselling. They check educational certificates, domicile proof, category certificates, and identity proof. Any discrepancy can lead to admission cancellation.

Successfully completing verification finalizes your admission. You receive a college ID, admission confirmation letter, and information about classes starting dates.

Understanding Rounds and Upgrades

OJEE counselling typically has 2-3 rounds. If seats remain vacant after round 1, round 2 begins with the same process. Students who didn't get seats in round 1 can participate. Students who got seats can also participate if they want upgrades.​

Participating in round 2 for upgrades is risky. If you get a better college in round 2, your round 1 seat is automatically cancelled. But if you don't get any seat in round 2, you lose your round 1 seat as well. Only participate in later rounds if you're genuinely unhappy with your current allotment.

Domicile and Reservation Benefits

Odisha domicile students get 85% seat reservation during OJEE counselling. SC, ST, and OBC categories have further reservations within this quota. Submit valid domicile and caste certificates to claim these benefits.​

Non-domicile students compete for the remaining 15% seats where competition is much higher. Cutoff ranks for non-domicile students are significantly lower than domicile cutoffs for the same college and branch.​

What If You Don't Get a Seat

If you don't receive any seat after all counselling rounds, you have limited options. Some Best engineering colleges in Bhubaneswar conduct spot counselling to fill remaining vacancies. Keep checking college websites for spot round announcements.

Management quota seats are another option in private colleges. These seats have higher fees and don't require entrance exam ranks. Contact colleges directly to ask about management quota availability and fees.

Alternatively, appear for other state-level or national-level entrance exams if their counselling is still ongoing. Or consider preparing again for next year's exams with better strategy.

Colleges Participating in OJEE Counselling

Most government and private engineering colleges in Odisha participate in OJEE Phase 2 counselling. Research each college's placement record, faculty, infrastructure, and accreditation before filling choices.​

NM Institute of Engineering and Technology (NMIET) in Bhubaneswar participates in counselling and ranks #248 for B.Tech in India according to Collegedunia 2025. The college has placement partnerships with Cognizant, Capgemini, IBM, and BYJU's and holds AICTE and BPUT accreditation. Students looking for strong industry connections and quality education should include NMIET in their choice list.

OJEE counselling is straightforward if you follow each step carefully and meet all deadlines. Prepare your documents early, research colleges thoroughly, and fill choices strategically to maximize your chances of getting into a good engineering college in Bhubaneswar.