Assam CEE 2026 Round 1 choice filling opens on July 17, 2026 — filling the maximum number of valid choices in the correct priority order is the single most important step to securing your preferred college and branch seat.

The Assam Combined Entrance Examination (CEE) 2026 counselling, conducted by Assam Science and Technology University (ASTU), assigns seats through an online choice filling and locking system. Your final seat allotment depends not just on your rank but on how strategically you order your preferences. Students who fill choices wisely often land better seats than others with similar ranks who submitted only a handful of options.

  • Choice filling for Round 1 opens on July 17, 2026 at the ASTU official portal (astu.ac.in).
  • Fill the maximum number of choices allowed — more choices raise your probability of getting a seat in Round 1 without waiting for Round 2.
  • Order from most preferred to least preferred — the allotment algorithm assigns the highest-ranked choice for which you are eligible.
  • Lock your choices before the deadline — saved but unlocked choices are not counted for allotment.
  • Study 2024–2025 closing rank data to identify realistic, aspirational, and safe choices at your rank.
Direct Link to Assam CEE 2026 Round 1 Choice Filling (ACTIVE)astu.ac.in

What Is Choice Filling in Assam CEE 2026?

Choice filling is the process where you select and rank the college–branch combinations you want — in your preferred order — through the ASTU counselling portal. The seat allotment algorithm then assigns you the best available seat from your ordered list based on your merit rank and available seats. If you qualify for multiple choices, you will be allotted only the top-ranked choice from your list that has a vacant seat — not all of them.

Round 1 is the most critical round — the largest share of total seats is filled here. Students who miss the window or fill too few choices often end up with less preferred allotments or must wait for Round 2, when available seats are significantly fewer.


How to Fill Choices for Round 1: Step-by-Step

  1. Log in to the ASTU counselling portal at astu.ac.in using your application number and password or OTP.
  2. Go to the Choice Filling section in your dashboard — it activates from July 17, 2026.
  3. Browse the available college–branch list using the filters (by college name, branch, category, or location).
  4. Add each preferred college–branch combination to your choice list by selecting it from the available options.
  5. Arrange choices in priority order using the move or drag-and-drop buttons — most preferred at the top.
  6. Save your list periodically — do not wait until the last hour to begin filling.
  7. Lock your choices before the deadline. After locking, the list is frozen and submitted for allotment processing.
  8. Download or screenshot the lock confirmation for your records before closing the browser.

How to Order Your College and Branch Preferences

The order you assign to your choices determines your allotment outcome. Use this five-step framework:

Step 1 — Map your rank to realistic options. Check 2024–2025 closing ranks for each college–branch pair. Your realistic zone is roughly 10–15% above and below your rank. Choices above that range are aspirational picks; choices well below form your safety net.

Step 2 — Decide branch first or college first. If you have a clear career target — for example, software jobs — prioritise CSE or IT even at a mid-tier college over a less-demanded branch at a top institution. If you are flexible about branch, lead with college reputation and placement records.

Step 3 — Build a funnel list. Start with your most ambitious realistic choice (best college, preferred branch). Work progressively toward safer combinations. End with at least 2–3 choices where you are near-certain to be allotted given your rank.

Step 4 — Fill the maximum choices available. There is no penalty for a long list — the system gives you one seat (the best it can from your ordered list). A short list is a risk with no benefit.

Step 5 — Remove choices you will reject. If you know you will not accept a seat regardless of circumstances, do not add that college–branch pair. An unwanted allotment blocks a seat while you wait for upgrade rounds.


Top Colleges and Branches Under Assam CEE 2026

Below are the major engineering colleges participating in Assam CEE 2026 counselling. Verify the complete seat matrix on the ASTU portal before finalising your choices, as intake numbers can change each year.

College Type Key Branches Location
Assam Engineering College (AEC) Government CSE, ECE, EE, ME, CE, IT Guwahati
Jorhat Engineering College (JEC) Government CSE, ECE, EE, ME, CE Jorhat
Bineswar Brahma Engineering College (BBEC) Government CSE, ECE, ME, CE Kokrajhar
Lakhimpur Engineering College Government CSE, ECE, ME, CE North Lakhimpur
Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Management and Technology (GIMT) Private CSE, ECE, ME, CE, IT Guwahati
Royal Global University — School of Engineering Private CSE, ECE, ME, CE Guwahati

Branch demand order (based on historical Assam CEE trends): CSE and IT attract the highest demand and close at the lowest rank numbers — meaning only top-ranked students secure them. ECE follows, then EE, ME, and CE. CSE at AEC has consistently been the most competitive college–branch combination in recent Assam CEE cycles.


The figures below are expected closing rank ranges for Round 1 based on 2024–2025 Assam CEE trends. These are estimates only — actual 2026 cutoffs will be published by ASTU after each allotment round and may shift based on total applicants, seat matrix changes, and this year’s exam difficulty.

College Branch Expected Closing Rank — General (Round 1) Trend Note
Assam Engineering College CSE Up to ~500 Highly competitive; demand stable year on year
Assam Engineering College ECE Up to ~900 Competitive; moderate year-on-year variation
Assam Engineering College EE / ME Up to ~1,500 Moderate demand; realistic for rank 1,000–1,500
Assam Engineering College CE Up to ~2,000 Lower demand; good fallback for AEC aspirants
Jorhat Engineering College CSE Up to ~1,200 Strong option for rank range 800–1,200
Jorhat Engineering College ECE / EE Up to ~2,000 Consistent demand year on year
BBEC / Lakhimpur Engineering College CSE Up to ~2,500–3,000 Safe choice for mid-range rank holders
Private Colleges (GIMT, Royal Global, etc.) CSE / ECE Up to ~4,000+ Higher intake; reliable fallback options

Key Dos and Don’ts for Round 1 Choice Filling

Do Don’t
Fill the maximum number of choices the portal allows Don’t submit only 3–4 choices and assume you are covered
Order from most preferred to least preferred Don’t fill choices randomly or in alphabetical order
Include at least 2–3 safe choices well within your rank range Don’t fill only aspirational options above your realistic zone
Lock your choices before the Round 1 deadline on the ASTU portal Don’t leave choices saved but unlocked — they will not be processed
Study 2024–2025 closing ranks before finalising your list Don’t add colleges or branches you know you will not accept
Check category-specific closing ranks if you are OBC, SC, or ST Don’t use only General category data if you belong to a reserved category
Save a screenshot or PDF of your locked choices as confirmation Don’t close the browser before the lock confirmation screen appears

Assam CEE 2026 Choice Filling FAQs

Ques. When does Assam CEE 2026 Round 1 choice filling open?

Ans. Assam CEE 2026 Round 1 choice filling is scheduled to open on July 17, 2026 on the official ASTU portal at astu.ac.in. Log in with your application number and password to access the choice filling section and begin adding preferences.

Ques. How many choices should I fill in Assam CEE Round 1?

Ans. Fill the maximum number of choices the portal allows. There is no penalty for adding more choices — the system allots you only one seat (the best available from your ordered list). More choices significantly lower your risk of going without an allotment in Round 1.

Ques. Can I edit my choices after locking them in Assam CEE 2026?

Ans. No. Once you lock your choices before the Round 1 deadline, they cannot be changed or unlocked. Review your order carefully before clicking the lock button and wait for the on-screen confirmation before closing the browser.

Ques. What happens if I save but do not lock my Assam CEE choices?

Ans. Saved but unlocked choices are not submitted for allotment processing. The ASTU system considers only locked choices. Always click the Lock or Freeze Choices button after saving, and wait for the confirmation message before exiting the portal.

Ques. Should I prioritise branch or college when ordering Assam CEE choices?

Ans. It depends on your career goal. If you are targeting software or IT roles, prioritise CSE or IT even at a mid-tier college over a less-competitive branch at the top college. If branch is flexible, lead with college reputation and placement records. Most students targeting core engineering fields prioritise college; those aiming for IT careers prioritise branch first.

Ques. Do reserved category students fill choices differently in Assam CEE 2026?

Ans. The choice filling interface is the same for all categories — you add and order college–branch pairs from the same screen. The allotment system automatically applies your category to match you against the correct seat pool. When evaluating which choices are realistic, use category-specific closing ranks (OBC, SC, ST) from 2024–2025 rather than General category data, as these differ significantly.