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Among the top engineering colleges in India, some of them are in Kerala that enroll candidates such as NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreigners via entrance tests such as JEE Main, JoSAA, CSAB, DASA, and CIWG. Some of the popular institutions are National Institute of Technology Calicut and IIIT Kottayam, which enroll students all around the globe because of their good academic atmosphere and placements.
Engineering Colleges Fees In Kerala For NRI
The two most favored government institutes of Kerala for NRI/OCI/PIO and foreign candidates are National Institute of Technology Calicut and IIIT Kottayam. These institutes provide quality education, excellent placement, and admission through various processes such as JEE Main, JoSAA, CSAB, DASA, and CIWG.
Every institute is different in terms of subjects offered, fees, and academics. Hence, it is important for the NRIs to evaluate both the institutes thoroughly before attending the counseling.
| State | Institute | Programs Offered | Admission Pathways for NRI Students | Fee Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala | NIT Calicut | B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, MCA, M.Sc., Ph.D. | JEE Main, JoSAA, CSAB, DASA, CIWG | View NIT Calicut NRI/DASA/CIWG Fee Structure |
| Kerala | IIIT Kottayam | B.Tech, M.Tech, Ph.D. | JEE Main, JoSAA, CSAB, DASA (where applicable) | View IIIT Kottayam NRI/DASA/CIWG Fee Structure |
DASA-2027 will be coordinated by one of the NITs (as officially stated on the DASA portal). The conducting NIT for 2027 is yet to be confirmed, and the official DASA Brochure 2027 will be released shortly after the announcement. Admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate programs under the DASA scheme for 2027 will be based on JEE Main Score 2027, including for NRI students living in the USA and Middle East applying under CIWG/DASA quota.
Engineering Colleges Fees in Kerala for NRIs, OCIs and Pios Students 2026-27: DASA, CIWG, NIT, and IIIT Fees
The engineering college fees that are to be paid by an NRI student in Kerala will vary according to the admission scheme of the candidate. In case of DASA (Non-SAARC) candidates, the fees are to be paid in US Dollars. However, the fees charged from DASA SAARC candidates will be less and in dollars.
| College | Regular / Institute Fee | DASA Non-SAARC Fee | DASA SAARC Fee | CIWG Fee |
| National Institute of Technology Calicut | Usually ₹62,500 tuition per semester for Gen/OBC/EWS B.Tech students + institute charges | US$300 registration fee + US$4,000 first-semester tuition fee | US$300 registration fee + US$2,000 first-semester tuition fee | US$300 registration fee + ₹62,500 first-semester tuition fee |
| IIIT Kottayam | Institute-specific fee structure (varies yearly for B.Tech programs) | As per DASA category fee and institute rules | As per DASA category fee and institute rules | CIWG benefit depends on eligibility, seat availability and institute policies |
Tuition fee typically doesn’t include charges for hostel accommodation, mess charges, caution deposit, insurance fees, or any other personal expenditure of the students.
NRI, OCI, and PIO Student Fees at Engineering Colleges in Kerala 2026-27: DASA, CIWG, NIT, and IIIT Fees
NIT Calicut is considered to be one of the best NIT institutions in India that provides B.Tech courses for NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and international students through JEE Main. International students can enroll in the university through DASA scheme, whereas the applicants of Indian origin residing in the Gulf countries can join the institute as per CIWG category.
| Category | Admission Route | Fee Planning |
| Regular Indian Category | JEE Main, JoSAA, CSAB | Semester fees: Tuition fees ₹62,500 per semester for Gen/OBC/EWS students, along with other institute fees |
| DASA Non-SAARC | DASA | US$300 registration fee and US$4,000 tuition fee per semester |
| DASA SAARC | DASA | US$300 registration fee and US$2,000 tuition fee per semester |
| CIWG | DASA-CIWG | US$300 registration |
The Non-SAARC category of DASA is appropriate for students from abroad, who are not belonging to SAARC member nations like USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and Singapore. Similarly, CIWG is eligible for those students whose parents are residing in Gulf countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
Read Detailed Guide:NIT Calicut Fees for NRI Quota (DASA and CIWG): 2026–27
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IIIT Kottayam is a very good option for NRIs who are passionate about studying Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Data Science, and software engineering. IIIT Kottayam is well known for its industry-oriented courses, coding culture, research and innovation atmosphere, and good placement prospects in the IT sector.
Read Full Guide: IIIT Kottayam Fees for NRI Quota (DASA and CIWG): 2026–27
| Fee Component | Details for NRI Students |
| Admission Fee | One Time Entry Fee based on institute guidelines |
| Caution Deposit | Security deposit refundable on the day of admission |
| Tuition Fee | Fee payable based on the latest fee structure of IIIT Kottayam |
| Hostel Fee | Fee payable separately based on hostel accommodation |
| Mess Fee | Fee payable separately based on mess guidelines of the institute |
| DASA / CIWG | Candidates need to check the latest fee structure of DASA/CIWG and seat matrix before counseling |
There would be an advantage for NRI students and parents in not choosing their destination on the sole basis of the fees of IIIT Kottayam alone. They need to think about many other things like the specialization available in B.Tech programs, coding facility, research opportunities, internship placements, cost of education over four years, and other considerations.
Get a complete JEE admission guide for USA, UAE and Gulf-based NRI students. Understand eligibility, JEE Main, JEE Advanced, DASA, CIWG, JoSAA counselling, documents, fees and college selection strategy.
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DASA and CIWG are the two main modes through which NRIs, OCIs, Pios, and overseas students may gain admission to engineering colleges in Kerala. DASA stands for Non-SAARC. This mode is intended for NRI and foreign students belonging to nations such as USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore, and non-SAARC nations. The CIWG (Children of Indian workers in Gulf Countries) mode is open to eligible students who have their parents working in Gulf countries and charges much lesser fees than DASA Non-SAARC mode.
| Point | DASA Non-SAARC | CIWG |
| Best For | NRI, OCI, PIO and foreign students from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore and other non-SAARC countries | Children of Indian workers employed in Gulf countries |
| Registration Fee | US$300 | US$300 |
| First-Semester Tuition Fee | US$4,000 | ₹62,500* |
| Total First Payment | US$4,300 | US$300 + ₹62,500* |
| Parent Work Proof | Usually not required | Mandatory for CIWG eligibility |
| Admission Basis | JEE Main rank and DASA guidelines | JEE Main rank + CIWG eligibility criteria |
NOTE : The fee for the CIWG program mentioned above has been calculated considering the conventional fee structure of DASA/CIWG at the participating NITs. Students are advised to check the fee notification of their concerned NIT before counseling.
Category CIWG (Children of Indian Workers in Gulf) is very helpful for Indian families residing and working in Gulf nations if they are planning to join any engineering college in Kerala under DASA admissions. If any one of the parents is working or has worked in a qualifying Gulf nation as per the latest DASA guidelines, then the candidate can be eligible for the CIWG quota after the counseling process.
| CIWG Country | Relevance for NRI Students |
| United Arab Emirates (UAE) | The students from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other cities of UAE need to confirm their eligibility for CIWG counseling. |
| Saudi Arabia | Those Indian families who are working in Saudi Arabia can take advantage of the discounted fee that is available under the CIWG scheme. |
| Qatar | For Indian employees in Qatar, it would be a good idea to go through the CIWG requirements for documents and eligibility criteria. |
| Oman | The Indian students who have their parents employed in Oman may be eligible for CIWG counseling. |
| Kuwait | The Indian families who are living and working in Kuwait can apply in CIWG counseling if they are eligible. |
| Bahrain | Students from Indian families working in Bahrain need to confirm the CIWG seats and fee benefits before counseling. |
Some of the best engineering colleges for NRIs, OCIs, PIs, and international students who wish to pursue their engineering education through JEE Main, DASA, CIWG, JoSAA, and CSAB are NIT Calicut and IIIT Kottayam. Find out all about eligibility criteria, fee structure, branches available, and admission procedure to select the suitable college.
Most NRI parents consider only the tuition fees while comparing the engineering colleges, but there are other expenses that also come along with the tuition fees. Accommodation in the hostel, mess fees, transport charges, books, and personal living expenses are not included in the tuition fees. It is always advisable to make an annual budget plan in advance for such expenses.
| Expense Head | Why It Matters for NRI Students |
| Tuition Fee | Main Academic Fee for the category of DASA/CIWG or Normal Admission |
| Institute Charges | Academic fee, development fee, library fee, examination fee, insurance fee, and many more institute fees |
| Hostel Fee | Accommodation fees for residing in institute accommodation |
| Mess Fee | Fees to be paid separately from tuition fees for food |
| Travel Cost | International travel and airport transfer, holiday travels |
| Laptop & Books | Needed for coding, assignments, projects, and study purposes |
| Personal Expenses | Daily expenses such as mobile recharge, laundry, toiletries, etc. |
| Document & Verification Cost | Expenses for passport copies, visa papers, certificate, transcripts, and admission confirmation. |
The best engineering college in Kerala will depend on what the student wants to do in life, their JEE Mains rank, budget, desired branch, and future plans. For NRI, OCI, PIO, and international students, the NIT Calicut and IIIT Kottayam can be some of the best institutions that give quality education, great placements, and admission under DASA and CIWG.
Those who want to pursue engineering and are looking at the reputation of NITs can go for NIT Calicut. Students who are looking for jobs in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Data Science, and software development might find IIIT Kottayam as a better choice because of its tech-centric curriculum.
| Student Goal | Recommended Institute |
| Core engineering with strong NIT brand value | NIT Calicut |
| Computer Science, AI, Cyber Security, Data Science & software careers | IIIT Kottayam |
| Research, innovation and higher studies | NIT Calicut |
| Lower tuition under Gulf worker benefit | Check CIWG eligibility under DASA |
| USA-based NRI student | Usually DASA Non-SAARC route |
Selecting the right university should not be determined by merely judging the cost or name of the university alone. NRIs should make decisions after considering branch options, placements, internships, facilities, coding environment, research environment, and future career prospects.
Engineers College Fees for NRIs/OCIs/PIOs in Kerala 2026-2027: DASA, CIWG, NIT and IIIT Fees
All the candidates who have applied to NIT Calicut/IIIT Kottayam must ensure that all their necessary documents are in place before they undergo the counselling process. Incorrect or missing documents can cause delays or rejection of the application.
| Document | Who Needs It |
| JEE Main Scorecard | For Admission of B.Tech through DASA, JOSSA, and CSAB |
| Class 10 Certificate | Proving Date of Birth and Identity Proof |
| Class 11 & 12 Mark Sheets / Transcripts | Required for Verifying Academic Eligibility |
| Student Passport | Needed for Verification of NRI/OCI/PIO and Foreign Candidates |
| OCI / PIO Card | Required for Verification of OCI/PIO Candidates if any |
| Proof of Education Abroad | Required for Verification of NRI Eligibility through DASA |
| Parent Passport, Visa & Work Permit | Required for CIWG Category Verification |
| Parent Employment Certificate | Required for Candidates Applying Under CIWG Category |
| Fee Payment Receipt | Required at the time of Reporting and Admissions Verification |
Prior to joining the NIT Calicut and IIIT Kottayam, it is mandatory for the aspirants to confirm that all the documents are valid and readable. Also, it is important to review the latest document requirements of the institute before going for counseling and admission.
NRI families from USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain or any other country planning for Engineering admission in India can be confused. Parents need clarity on JEE Main, DASA, CIWG, JoSAA, CSAB, documents, fee payment, branch preference and college choice filling.
TestprepKart helps NRI students to prepare for JEE Main and understand the DASA/CIWG admission process for NITs, IIITs, SPAs and other top engineering colleges in India.
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Explore these important DASA and CIWG resources to understand seat matrix, participating colleges, cut-off scores, application process, quota eligibility and required documents for NRI engineering admission in India.
| S.No. | Resource | Open Link |
| 1 | DASA CIWG Seat Matrix 2026 | View Seat Matrix |
| 2 | CIWG Quota Colleges | View Colleges |
| 3 | DASA / CIWG Cut-Off Score For NRIs | Check Cut-Off |
| 4 | CIWG Quota | Understand CIWG |
| 5 | CIWG 2026 Cut-Off Score | View Cut-Off Guide |
| 6 | CIWG Application 2026 | Check Application Process |
| 7 | CIWG Quota Documents Required | View Documents |
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