Can we look at the range of ranks -Opening Va Closing of R1 and R2 JoSAA to know when are we likely to get our preferred college or seat in R4. Also is it a trend that, most students hold their seats in earlier rounds compared to R4

You can't predict exactly when you'll get your preferred college or seat in JoSAA Round 4 by just looking at the opening and closing ranks of Rounds 1 and 2.

JoSAA seat allotment is an iterative process. In each round, students with higher preferences get allotted seats based on their rank, choices, and available seats. This dynamically changes the scenario for subsequent rounds.

Several factors influence seat allotment in each round besides rank, including:

• The number of students who slide (accept a lower preference seat) or withdraw from previous rounds.
• The choices made by other students with ranks similar to yours.
  
  Typically, the closing ranks for some colleges/branches tend to be lower in later rounds (R3 and R4) compared to R1 and R2. This is because some students might have secured their preferred seats in earlier rounds, opening up seats for others.
  
  Look for resources online that provide JoSAA cutoffs (OR/CR) for previous years, especially for colleges and branches you're interested in. This can give you a general idea of how ranks move across rounds. However, remember, it's not a guaranteed prediction for the upcoming session.
  
  JoSAA might release a mock seat allotment tool closer to counselling. This tool allows you to input your rank and see a simulated seat allotment based on previous years' data (again, not a confirmed prediction).
  
  Generally, there is a trend of more seats being available in later rounds (R3 & R4) as some students secure their preferred options earlier. However, it's not guaranteed that the seat you want will be available in R4. Focus on creating a strategic list of choices, participate in the mock allotment tool (if available), and be prepared to make informed decisions during counselling to maximize your chances of getting a desirable seat.
  
  https://engineering.careers360.com/download/ebooks/josaa-what-you-need-to-know
  
  I hope it helps!