The Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme is a unique admission process started by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to help foreign nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) secure admissions into top engineering colleges in India. The scheme mainly covers premier technical institutions like the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other centrally funded technical institutions (CFTIs).
Launched to encourage international diversity and global outreach, the DASA scheme allows eligible students to apply for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, architecture, and management. Students are admitted based on their SAT scores (for UG courses) instead of the highly competitive JEE exams required for Indian residents. This pathway makes it easier for NRIs and foreign students to join top government engineering colleges in India without the need for separate entrance tests.
Some of the top engineering colleges participate in the DASA scheme. These include prestigious NITs like NIT Trichy, NIT Surathkal, and NIT Warangal, which consistently rank among the top government engineering colleges in India. Along with NITs, many IIITs and other reputed institutions also take part, offering a wide range of engineering programs. Although IITs do not participate in DASA admissions, many leading CFTIs are part of the scheme, providing a quality education similar to the top engineering college in India standards.
To be eligible under the DASA scheme, a student must have completed 11th and 12th grades or equivalent outside India or must have studied for at least two years in a foreign country. SAT Subject Tests (Mathematics Level 2, Physics, and Chemistry) scores are considered for undergraduate admissions. A minimum of 1800 total score is usually required, though it can vary depending on the competition and institution.
The DASA fee structure is different from the regular Indian admissions. Students applying through DASA generally pay higher tuition fees compared to domestic students. On average, the tuition fee is around USD 4000 to 8000 per year, depending on the institution and program. However, considering the opportunity to study in some of the top engineering colleges, many students find it worthwhile. Several institutions also offer scholarships or fee waivers to deserving students under special categories.
The admissions under DASA are conducted online. Students need to register on the official DASA website, fill in their choices of colleges and branches, upload required documents, and submit their SAT scores. Seat allotments are based on merit and availability. This process ensures that students can secure admissions in top private engineering colleges in India and government institutes without the need to travel for entrance examinations.
The DASA scheme is an excellent gateway for NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals to access top engineering colleges in India. It maintains a fair and merit-based admission system while promoting international participation. Whether aiming for top government engineering colleges in India like NITs or top private engineering colleges in India, the DASA admissions process opens up valuable opportunities for students across the globe.