IIT JAM 2026 Exam Details: Date, Pattern, Merit List, Old Question Pages, and Answer Keys

Latest Updates

• The IIT JAM counselling process is in its final stage.
• The last date for seat booking is 3 July 2025.
• Opening and closing ranks for each round are published on the official website for candidates to access admission.
• Admissions apply to M.Sc. and Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D. programs at IITs and IISc Bangalore.
• Category-wise cut-offs, required scores, and important dates for withdrawal and admission are also available online.
• The final counselling round is scheduled for early July 2025.

Overview

The Joint Admission Test for Master's (IIT JAM) is a national-level entrance exam which is conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) specially for the admission into MSc and other such postgraduate science programs, which are Joint MSc-PhD, Integrated PhD programs, and MSc-PhD Dual Degree.

JAM is organised annually by one of the IITs in a rotating manner. The participating institutions are IITs and IISc Bangalore. For 2026, the organising IIT shall be announced shortly on the official website. The application window is expected to open in September 2025, and the examination is likely to be held in February 2026.

Candidates must satisfy eligibility criteria and appear for the examination in one or two of the seven subjects in IIT JAM: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, Geology, Biotechnology, and Economics.

IIT JAM 2026: Quick Highlights

Below is the table containing everything about the exam in brief.

What is IIT JAM?

The Indian Institute of Technology Joint Admission Test for M.Sc. (IIT JAM) is a yearly examination that provides admission for the M.Sc. degree, Joint M.Sc. Ph.D., M.Sc. Ph.D. Dual Degree and other master-level science courses in IITs and IISc, Bangalore. The test is designed to evaluate the understanding of core subjects in undergraduate-level sciences by a student. The IIT JAM is conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format and has 60 questions in total. These questions are divided into three sections: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT).

IIT JAM 2026 Registration/Application Process

Candidates who are applying for the IIT JAM need to apply through the official JOAPS portal. The application process involves the registration and filling of the form, uploading the valid and original documents, and paying the fee at the time of application. Failing to do any of these would lead to rejection of the application form.

1. Registration - Via the JOAPS portal with email and contact number

2. Filling application- Personal, academic, and communication details

3. Uploading Documents - Photograph, signature, category/PwD certificate

4. Application Fee Payment - Online through net banking/card/UPI

5. Submission - Final review and form submission

Application Fee for IIT JAM 2026

The application fee for IIT JAM 2026 is different for the candidates based on the number of subjects they choose and the category of the applicants. The table below is for each category.

Admit Card for IIT JAM 2026

IIT JAM 2026 admit card will be released on the official portal in January 2026, after the final submission of the application form in October 2025. Candidates must carry a hard copy of the admit card on the date of the examination for successful entry into the exam hall.

There are seven subjects offered for the examination of the candidate in IIT JAM 2026. The IIT JAM 2026 syllabus includes core topics from the undergraduate science courses. Each subject has its own details syllabus, some of the common topics are:

IIT JAM Eligibility Criteria 2026

Those who are appearing for IIT JAM  2026 should fulfil the eligibility criteria of IIT JAM specified by the organising IIT. These criteria primarily include the academic qualification for IIT JAM, which is that an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree in science or related stream with aggregate marks required for each of the streams, nationality and minimum marks obtained. Candidates must ensure that they fulfil the eligibility criteria for IIT JAM at the time of the counselling process and get verified for admission.

IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026

IIT JAM exam pattern 2026 consists of a total of 60 questions with a duration of 3 hours to solve them. There are three sections and an examination. Section A is MCQ-based, Section B is MSQ-based, and Section C is NATs.

IIT JAM Previous Years' Question Papers

To take any examination or to start practising, every candidate must go through the previous year's question papers, which help the candidate to understand the exam pattern and questions. The IIT JAM previous year question papers are given below. Click to download the subject-wise PDF.

IIT JAM Preparation Tips 2026

Any sort of preparation requires strategic planning, a strong conceptual base and regular revisions of your learning. These tips may help you in your IIT JAM Preparation:

• Begin by understanding the syllabus thoroughly and solving the PYQs, which will help you understand the pattern of the IIT JAM exam.
• Stick to limited resources and focus on NCERTs and UG-level standard books.
• Join a test series to analyse your weak areas.
• Regularly revise in small intervals to have a command of your learning.

Exam Day Guidelines & Dress Code

• Print and carry the hard copy of the admit card with you while going for the exam.
• Reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the given time.
• Wear simple clothes and avoid wearing any hoodies or jackets.
• Avoid carrying any digital watches or devices.

Things to Avoid During the Exam

• Do not talk to other candidates or peek into anyone's answer sheet.
• Do not bring calculators unless instructed.
• Don't use gel pens in the OMR sheet.
• Do not use questions blindly in Section A to avoid negative marking.

IIT JAM Answer Key 2026

The original answer key of IIT JAM 2026 will be released a few days after the examination. Candidates will be allowed to raise any objections with valid proof and evidence regarding their answers.

IIT JAM Result 2026

The IIT JAM 2026 results will be declared in March 2026. After the successful examination in February 2026, candidates will be able to download the scorecard using their login credentials on the official portal.

IIT JAM Counselling 2026

IIT JAM 2026 counselling will be conducted in an online mode. The JAM college admission offers for the candidates are made on the basis of their rank secured and preferences for the offered courses; those who have successfully qualified for the examination will only be allowed to attend the counselling. Given below are the steps to do the time of counselling:

1. Submit the Admission Form on JOAPS
2. Check Allotment (Round 1)
3. Accept/Reject/Upgrade Option
4. Pay Seat Booking Fee
5. Physical Document Verification

Colleges Accepting IIT JAM Score 2026

IIT jam score will be accepted by all the IITs, IISc, NITs, and several centrally funded technical institutions; they cannot deny or reject it.

The IIT JAM 2026 is expected to follow the same timeline as the previous years. The notification for which is tentatively to be released in September and close by mid-October. Candidates should follow the official website of JAM (jam.iitm.ac.in) for updated announcements about the exam and avoid missing any deadlines.

This table contains the schedule of important tentative dates from the exam perspective:

Every year, the IIT JAM cut off varies according to the level of paper difficulty, the number of candidates applying for the course, and seats available in the institution. They also vary with the category of candidates. 

IIT JAM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is there any age limit for IIT JAM 2026?

No, there is no age restriction.

Q2. Can I apply for two papers in the IIT JAM?

Yes, if the exam schedules do not clash.

Q3. Are calculators allowed in IIT JAM?

Only virtual calculators are permitted.

Q4. What is the validity of the JAM score?

One academic year.

Q5. What is the mode of IIT JAM 2026?

Computer-Based Test (CBT).