On seat allocation problem with multiple merit lists

Abstract

In this note, we present a simpler algorithm for joint seat allocation problem in case there are two or more merit lists. In case of two lists (the current situation for Engineering seats in India), the running time of the algorithm is proportional to sum of running time for two separate (delinked) allocations. The algorithm is straight forward and natural and is not (at least directly) based on deferred acceptance algorithm of Gale and Shapley. Each person can only move higher in his or her preference list. Thus, all steps of the algorithm can be made public. This will improve transparency and trust in the system.