IIT JAM

IIT JAM 2026: Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility, Pattern, Registration & MSc Admission Guide

Engineering

Rishi Kumar Singh

Updated on March 10, 2026

Latest Updates

25 May, 2026: IIT JAM Admission List Expected Today
The admission list for IIT JAM is anticipated to be released today. Candidates who appeared for the exam should keep an eye on official updates for the latest information regarding their admissions.

25 May, 2026: IIT JAM 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment Result Declared
The IIT JAM 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment Result has been officially released. Aspirants can now check their seat allotment status and download the admission list. The direct link to access these results is jam2026.iitb.ac.in.

25 May, 2026: IIT JAM 2026 Round 1 Admission List Expected Today
IIT JAM 2026 Round 1 Admission List is expected to be released today, May 25, 2026. Candidates who applied for admission are currently awaiting their seat allotment results. This update provides crucial information for all applicants.

25 May, 2026: IIT JAM 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment Today
The IIT JAM 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment is being released today, May 25, 2026. Candidates can now check the allotment list and important timings. A detailed guide on the acceptance fee is also available for successful candidates.

24 May, 2026: IIT JAM 2026 Seat Matrix Out for IITs and NITs
The IIT JAM 2026 seat matrix has been released. This update provides a detailed breakdown of course-wise available seats at various IITs and NITs. Candidates can now review this crucial information to plan their admission strategies effectively.

17 May, 2026: IIT JAM Mathematics M.Sc. Seat Matrix 2026 Released
The IIT JAM Mathematics M.Sc. Seat Matrix for 2026 has been released. Candidates can now check the IIT-wise seat distribution for M.Sc. Mathematics programs, providing essential details for admissions.

08 May, 2026: IIT JAM 2026: Scorecard, Result Released; Counselling on March 27
IIT JAM 2026 results and scorecards have been released. Candidates can now access their scorecards. The counselling process is scheduled to begin on March 27, with details on the merit list and cutoff marks also available.

What is IIT JAM?

The Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Admission Test for Master's (IIT JAM) is a national-level entrance examination conducted annually by one of the IITs on behalf of the organising body, for admission to postgraduate programs such as M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree, and other Master's level courses in science disciplines at IITs, IISc Bangalore, NITs, IIST, IIPE, and several other institutes. Organised by IIT Bombay for 2026, IIT JAM assesses candidates' subject-specific knowledge in seven subjects: Biotechnology, Chemistry, Economics, Geology, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, and Physics. With around 1 lakh applicants competing for over 3,000 seats annually, IIT JAM serves as a gateway to premier research-oriented programs, emphasising analytical and conceptual understanding. Unlike general PG entrances, IIT JAM focuses exclusively on science streams, replacing individual institute exams for centralised admissions.

IIT JAM 2026 Highlights

IIT JAM 2026 will be conducted in Computer-Based Test mode, with subject-specific papers testing core domain knowledge.

Particular	Details
Exam Name	Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Admission Test for Masters (IIT JAM)
Conducting Body	IIT Bombay (Organising IIT)
Exam Level	National Level
Exam Frequency	Once a year
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Total Seats (Approx.)	3,000+ across M.Sc./Integrated Ph.D. programs
Duration	3 hours
Total Questions	60 MCQs + MSQs + NATs
Total Marks	100
Marking Scheme	+1 or +2 for correct (Section A), 0 for unattempted; –1/3 or –2/3 for incorrect in MCQs (Section A); no negative in Sections B & C
Language	English only
Official Website	jam2026.iitb.ac.in

IIT JAM 2026 Important Dates

The official notification for IIT JAM 2026 will be released in July 2025. Registration is ongoing with an extended deadline.

Event	Date
Notification Release	July, 2026
Online Registration Starts	September, 2026
Last Date to Submit Application (Extended)	October, 2026
Application Correction Window	October, 2026
Admit Card Download	January, 2027
IIT JAM 2026 Exam Date	February, 2027 (Two shifts: 9:30 AM–12:30 PM & 2:30 PM–5:30 PM)
Provisional Answer Key	Last week of February 2027
Objection Window	One week after answer key release
Final Answer Key	Mid-March 2027
Result Declaration	March, 2027
Counselling Registration	April 2027

IIT JAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill the minimum educational requirements set by IITs and participating institutes. Individual institutes may have additional criteria.

Nationality: Indian citizens and foreign nationals are eligible.
Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree (B.Sc./B.S./B.Tech./B.E.) in relevant discipline from a recognized university.
Minimum Marks: General/OBC-NCL/EWS: 55% aggregate or CGPA 5.5/10; SC/ST/PwD: 50% aggregate or CGPA 5.0/10.
Appearing Candidates: Final-year students are eligible, provided they complete the degree with required marks by the admission deadline.
Age Limit: No upper age limit.
Attempts: No restriction on number of attempts.

IIT JAM 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide

The entire registration process is online only through the JOAPS portal.

Visit jam2026.iitb.ac.in → Click “JOAPS 2026 Registration”
Register using email, mobile → Set password → Log in
Fill personal, academic (10th, 12th, graduation details), category details
Choose up to TWO test papers (e.g., Physics + Mathematics)
Upload scanned photograph, signature, category certificate (if applicable), and mark sheets
Pay application fee online (Net Banking / Card / UPI)
Submit and download filled application PDF

IIT JAM 2026 Application Fees

Non-refundable fee (2026 structure):

Category	One Test Paper	Two Test Papers
Female (All Categories) / SC / ST / PwD	₹ 900	₹ 1,250
All Others (General / OBC-NCL / EWS)	₹ 1,800	₹ 2,500

Document Specifications for Upload

All documents must strictly follow IIT guidelines:

Document	Size	Format	Specific Requirements
Photograph	10 KB – 100 KB	JPG/JPEG	Recent colour, white background
Signature	5 KB – 30 KB	JPG/JPEG	Black ink on white paper
Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD)	50 KB – 300 KB	PDF	Recent, issued by competent authority
Mark Sheets (10th, 12th, Graduation)	50 KB – 300 KB each	PDF	Clear and legible

IIT JAM Application Correction Window & Exam Centres

Limited correction facility is provided.

Correction Window: October 24–26, 2025 (fee applicable for major changes like category, gender, test paper).
Exam Centres: 100+ cities across India. Candidates choose 3 preferred cities during registration.

IIT JAM 2026 Exam Pattern

IIT JAM 2026 consists of three sections with different question types and marking schemes.

Section	Question Type	No. of Questions	Marks per Question	Negative Marking
A	MCQ (Single correct)	30	10 × 1 mark + 20 × 2 marks	–1/3 for 1-mark Qs, –2/3 for 2-mark Qs
B	MSQ (Multiple correct)	10	2 marks each	No negative
C	NAT (Numerical Answer Type)	20	10 × 1 mark + 10 × 2 marks	No negative
Total		60	100

IIT JAM 2026 Detailed Syllabus

Syllabus is strictly UG-level (B.Sc.) as per the test paper:

Biotechnology (BT): Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Recombinant DNA Technology
Chemistry (CY): Physical, Organic, Inorganic Chemistry (full B.Sc. syllabus)
Economics (EN): Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Statistics, Mathematical Economics
Geology (GG): Geomorphology, Structural Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology, Stratigraphy
Mathematics (MA): Calculus, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Differential Equations, Abstract Algebra
Mathematical Statistics (MS): Probability, Statistics, Distribution Theory, Estimation
Physics (PH): Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Optics, Thermodynamics, Modern Physics, Mathematical Physics

Best Books for IIT JAM 2026 Preparation

Subject	Book Title	Author / Publisher
Physics	Concepts of Physics + Quantum Mechanics	H.C. Verma / Resnick-Halliday / Griffith
Chemistry	Organic: Morrison & Boyd Inorganic: J.D. Lee Physical: Atkins	Standard texts
Mathematics	Real Analysis: Bartle Linear Algebra: Hoffman & Kunze Calculus: Thomas & Finney	—
Biotechnology	Lehninger Biochemistry + Molecular Biology of the Cell	Alberts / Lehninger
Geology	Structural Geology: Billings Geomorphology: Savindra Singh	—
Economics	Micro: Varian Macro: Dornbusch & Fischer Statistics: Gupta & Kapoor	—
Mathematical Statistics	Introduction to Probability & Statistics	Hogg & Tanis
All Subjects	IIT JAM Previous 20 Years Solved Papers	Arihant / Disha

How to Download IIT JAM 2026 Admit Card

Admit cards are released in the first week of January 2026.

Visit jam2026.iitb.ac.in → Click “JOAPS Login”
Log in with Enrollment ID / Email & Password
Download and print the admit card in colour
Carry printed admit card + original photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport/Voter ID) to the exam centre

IIT JAM Cutoff Trends (Closing AIR for General Category – Top IITs)

Subject & Institute	2025	2024	2023	Approx. Marks (out of 100)
Physics – IIT Bombay	65	72	68	65–70
Physics – IIT Delhi	85	90	82	62–65
Chemistry – IIT Bombay	55	60	58	68–72
Mathematics – IIT Kanpur	120	135	125	58–62
Biotechnology – IIT Roorkee	95	88	92	60–65
Economics – IIT Delhi	180	195	170	55–60
Geology – IIT Bombay	75	80	78	62–66

Top Institutes Accepting IIT JAM 2026 & Approx. Annual Fee

Institute	Location	Approx. Annual Fee (General)
IIT Bombay	Mumbai	₹ 50,000–₹ 1 lakh
IIT Delhi	New Delhi	₹ 50,000–₹ 1 lakh
IIT Kanpur	Kanpur	₹ 40,000–₹ 80,000
IIT Madras	Chennai	₹ 30,000–₹ 70,000
IIT Kharagpur	Kharagpur	₹ 40,000–₹ 80,000
IIT Roorkee	Roorkee	₹ 30,000–₹ 70,000
IISc Bangalore	Bangalore	₹ 20,000–₹ 50,000
NIT Warangal	Warangal	₹ 70,000–₹ 1 lakh
IIEST Shibpur	Howrah	₹ 70,000–₹ 90,000
IIPE Visakhapatnam	Visakhapatnam	₹ 60,000–₹ 80,000

IIT JAM vs CUET PG vs JNU CEEB vs GATE (Life Sciences): Comparison for M.Sc. Admissions

IIT JAM, CUET PG, and GATE are the major national-level entrances for M.Sc. programs, while JNU CEEB has been merged into CUET PG.

Parameter	IIT JAM	CUET PG (Science)	GATE (Life Sciences/XL)	JNU CEEB (Discontinued)
Conducting Body	IITs (rotational)	NTA	IITs	Merged into CUET PG
Target Institutes	IITs, IISc, NITs, IIEST, IIPE	Central/State/Deemed/Private Universities	IITs, IISc, NITs (M.Tech Biotech)	JNU, BHU, DU, etc. (now via CUET PG)
Subjects	7 (BT, CY, EC, GG, MA, MS, PH)	50+ domain papers	Life Sciences (XL)	Merged into CUET PG Biotech
Difficulty Level	High (conceptual + numerical)	Moderate (objective)	Very High (GATE level)	Moderate–High (pre-2022)
Question Types	MCQ, MSQ, NAT	MCQ only	MCQ, MSQ, NAT	MCQ only
Negative Marking	Yes (Section A only)	Yes (–1)	Yes (–1/3, –2/3)	Yes
Top Colleges	IIT Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Roorkee, IISc Bangalore	JNU, BHU, DU, HCU, Pondicherry, Central Univ. of Punjab	IITs, IISc (M.Tech Biotech)	JNU (now via CUET PG)
Cutoff (Rank for Top IITs)	1–300 (varies by subject)	200–250 marks	AIR < 500	—
Applicants (Approx.)	1 lakh	4–5 lakh	30K–40K (XL)	Merged

IIT JAM 2026 Counselling & Admission Process

Counselling is centralised through the Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP) for IITs and JAM portal for other institutes.

Application for admission opens in April 2026
Fill the choices of programs and institutes
Multiple rounds of seat allotment (usually 4–5)
Pay seat acceptance fee (₹30,000–₹50,000) online
Document verification at the reporting centre
Documents required: JAM scorecard, 10th/12th/graduation marksheets, category certificate, photo ID, migration certificate

IIT JAM 2026 Exam Day Instructions

Strict guidelines enforced by IITs:

Report 90 minutes before exam time
Entry closes 30 minutes before start
Prohibited items: Mobile, calculator, smart watch, notes, bags, and electronic devices
Dress code: Light clothing, no jackets or large buttons
Biometric verification (photo + fingerprint) mandatory
Use only the virtual calculator provided on screen

IIT JAM 2026 Result & Score Card

The result is declared on March, 2027. All India Rank (AIR) list is prepared subject-wise.

Scorecard shows raw marks, AIR, and qualifying status
Valid only for the 2026–27 academic session
Download from the JOAPS portal using login credentials

Is IIT JAM tougher than CUET PG Science?

Yes, significantly. IIT JAM is conceptually deeper, includes NAT and MSQ questions, and cutoffs reach 65–70 marks out of 100 for top IITs. CUET PG Science is purely MCQ-based with moderate difficulty and cutoffs around 200–250 out of 300.

Can I get into IITs for M.Sc. without IIT JAM?

No. IIT JAM is the only entrance exam for regular M.Sc. and Integrated Ph.D. programmes at all IITs and IISc Bangalore. GATE is accepted only for certain M.Tech (Biotechnology) programmes.

Which is better for M.Sc. Physics/Chemistry: IIT JAM or CUET PG?

IIT JAM is far superior. Top IITs like Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Madras, and IISc Bangalore are accessible only through JAM. CUET PG provides access to central universities such as DU, JNU, and BHU but not IITs or IISc.

What is a safe rank in IIT JAM 2026 for IIT Bombay or IIT Delhi?

For General category candidates, AIR under 100–150 is safe for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, while Biotechnology, Economics, and Geology usually require AIR under 200–300. Marks needed are typically 62–70+ out of 100.

Can I apply for two subjects in IIT JAM?

Yes. Candidates can appear for a maximum of two test papers (for example, Physics + Mathematics or Chemistry + Geology) by paying an additional application fee.

Is there negative marking in IIT JAM?

Negative marking applies only to Section A (MCQs): –1/3 for 1-mark questions and –2/3 for 2-mark questions. There is no negative marking in Section B (MSQ) or Section C (NAT).

Which IIT is best for M.Sc. Physics?

IIT Bombay is considered the best, followed by IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Kharagpur. Bombay and Delhi offer the strongest research exposure and placements.

Can final-year B.Sc. students apply for IIT JAM?

Yes. Final-year students are eligible, provided they submit their final marksheet or provisional certificate before the admission deadline, usually around September.

How much stipend do M.Sc. students get in IITs?

JAM-qualified M.Sc. students receive a stipend of ₹12,400 per month plus HRA under the Ministry of Education fellowship for the full two-year duration.

Is IIT JAM accepted by IISc Bangalore?

Yes. IISc Bangalore accepts IIT JAM scores for all its M.Sc. programmes in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biological Sciences, and Integrated Ph.D. courses.

Which subject has the toughest competition in IIT JAM?

Physics and Chemistry have the toughest competition, with 30,000–40,000 applicants each year and only about 250–300 seats across IITs.

Is coaching necessary for IIT JAM?

Coaching is not compulsory but is highly recommended for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics due to the exam’s conceptual depth. Self-study works well for students with a strong undergraduate foundation.

How many seats are available through IIT JAM?

Approximately 3,000+ seats are available across IITs, IISc, NITs, IIEST, and other CFTIs. IIT Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Madras, and Kharagpur offer the highest number of seats.

Can I get direct Ph.D. admission after M.Sc. through IIT JAM?

Yes. Many IITs offer Joint M.Sc.–Ph.D. or Dual Degree programmes. After completing the M.Sc. phase, students can continue for Ph.D. with an enhanced fellowship.

Is there any bond after completing M.Sc. from IIT?

No. There is no service bond or compulsory obligation. Graduates are free to join industry, pursue Ph.D., or take up any career option.

Which is better for M.Sc. Biotechnology: IIT JAM or GATE?

IIT JAM is better for pure M.Sc. Biotechnology programmes offered at IIT Roorkee and IIT Kharagpur. GATE (XL) is required for M.Tech Biotechnology admissions.

How long is IIT JAM score valid?

IIT JAM score is valid for one academic year only. JAM 2026 score will be valid for admission to the 2026–28 batch.

Is calculator allowed in IIT JAM?

Physical calculators are not allowed. A virtual scientific calculator is provided on-screen for Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.

Which IIT is easiest to get through IIT JAM?

Newer IITs such as Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Bhilai, Dharwad, and Jammu, along with NITs, generally have higher closing ranks ranging from 500 to 1,500.

Can I change my test paper after submission?

No. Once submitted, the choice of test paper cannot be changed. Only limited corrections like photo or category details are allowed during the correction window.

Is Economics a new paper in IIT JAM?

Yes. Economics was introduced as a JAM paper in 2022 and is accepted by IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, and IIT Kharagpur for M.Sc. Economics programmes.

How many students qualify IIT JAM every year?

Around 15,000–18,000 candidates qualify IIT JAM each year by scoring above the cutoff. Approximately 3,000–4,000 candidates secure seats in IITs and IISc.

Which books are best for IIT JAM Physics?

Recommended books include H.C. Verma, Resnick–Halliday, I.E. Irodov (for problems), Griffiths (Electrodynamics and Quantum Mechanics), along with previous 20 years’ IIT JAM question papers.