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Table of Contents
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 | Recent, issued by competent authority | |
| Mark Sheets (10th, 12th, Graduation) | 50 KB – 300 KB each | 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
Frequently Asked Questions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Yes. Candidates can appear for a maximum of two test papers (for example, Physics + Mathematics or Chemistry + Geology) by paying an additional application fee.
- 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).
- 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.
- Yes. Final-year students are eligible, provided they submit their final marksheet or provisional certificate before the admission deadline, usually around September.
- 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.
- Yes. IISc Bangalore accepts IIT JAM scores for all its M.Sc. programmes in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biological Sciences, and Integrated Ph.D. courses.
- Physics and Chemistry have the toughest competition, with 30,000–40,000 applicants each year and only about 250–300 seats across IITs.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- No. There is no service bond or compulsory obligation. Graduates are free to join industry, pursue Ph.D., or take up any career option.
- 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.
- IIT JAM score is valid for one academic year only. JAM 2026 score will be valid for admission to the 2026–28 batch.
- Physical calculators are not allowed. A virtual scientific calculator is provided on-screen for Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
- Newer IITs such as Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Bhilai, Dharwad, and Jammu, along with NITs, generally have higher closing ranks ranging from 500 to 1,500.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
