IIT JAM Books 2026: Check best books for exam preparation
Indian Institute of Technology Joint Admission Test for MSc 2026 ( IIT JAM )
Admit Card - 5 Jan '26
IIT JAM preparation books 2026 form an integral part of exam preparation. Given the high difficulty level of the exam, it is critical to select the right books to prepare for IIT JAM, which is a postgraduate-level entrance exam for MSc and Integrated PhD programmes offered at IITs, IISc, NITs and CFTIs. The JAM 2026 preparation must be done with the help of the JAM 2026 book options available for various subjects. A preparation plan will help you ensure that you cover all of the JAM 2026 important topics with the help of JAM Preparation Books 2026.
The IIT JAM 2026 Application process had began on September 5, 2026. The deadline for applicants to complete the application process was October 12, 2026 extended till October 20. The IIT JAM Admit Card will be out on the official website on January 5, 2026. The IIT JAM 2026 Exam will be conducted on February 15, 2026, and the IIT JAM Result will be announced on March 20, 2026.
Although IITs, the exam conducting body does not suggest any specific books for IIT JAM preparation, the experts and previous years’ toppers have shared the must-read books that can help you clear the exam. This page of Shiksha brings the list of subject-wise books for IIT JAM 2026, which aspirants must refer to if they want to appear and crack the exam by securing the cutoff marks. Referring to these books, along with regular practice, will help them prepare well for the IIT JAM. Before checking the list of IIT JAM books, let us take a look at the exam pattern and syllabus or important topics for the test.
Latest Updates:
Candidates seeking admission to select postgraduate programmes for the academic year 2025-26 must appear in JAM 2025 Examination. There is no age restriction. JAM 2025 Examination will be conducted as a Computer Based Test in SEVEN Test Papers
namely, Biotechnology (BT), Chemistry (CY), Economics (EN), Geology (GG), Mathematics (MA), Mathematical Statistics (MS), and Physics (PH).
To apply for admission to a desired programme, a candidate is required to qualify in the relevant Test Paper, satisfy the Eligibility Requirements (ERs) and Minimum Educational Qualifications (MEQs) of the respective Academic Programmes.
- IIT JAM 2026 Exam Pattern and Structure
- IIT JAM 2026 Subject-wise Important Topics
- IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Physics
- IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Chemistry
- IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Biotechnology
- IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Geology
- IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Mathematics
- IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Mathematical Statistics
- IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Economics
- IIT JAM 2026 Preparation Tips
- FAQs Regarding IIT JAM 2026 Preparation Books
IIT JAM 2026 Exam Pattern and Structure
IIT JAM is computer-based test of 3 hours, having 60 questions with total of 100 marks. The exam is conducted for seven subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Geology, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics and Economics. Refer to the table below:
| Section |
Type of Questions |
No of Question |
Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Each question has four choices with one correct answer. |
30 |
1 mark each for the first 10 MCQs 2 marks each for 20 MCQs |
| B |
Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) Each question has four choices with one or more correct answers. |
10 |
2 marks each |
| C |
Numerical Answer Type (NAT) The answer for each question is a signed real number that needs to be entered using the virtual numeric keypad on the monitor. No choices will be shown for these questions. |
20 |
1 mark each for the first 10 questions 2 marks each for the last 10 questions |
| Total |
60 |
100 |
|
Also Read:
IIT JAM 2026 Subject-wise Important Topics
The table below has the important topics of each subject or the paper of the IIT JAM exam:
| IIT JAM Subject |
Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Physics |
|
| Chemistry |
|
| Geology |
|
| Biotechnology |
|
| Mathematics |
|
| Mathematical Statistics |
|
| Economics |
|
IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Physics
The table below brings the list of best books for IIT JAM Physics subject preparation.
| Name of Book |
Author |
|---|---|
| IIT-JAM: MSc (Physics) Previous Papers & Practice Test Papers (Solved) |
R Gupta |
| Solved Papers & Practice Sets IIT JAM (Joint Admission Test for MSc from IITs) – Physics |
Arihant Publications |
| Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications |
Nouredine Zettili |
| Quantum Mechanics (Schaum’s Outline Series) |
Yoav Peleg, Reuven Pnini, Elyahu Zaarur, Eugene Hecht |
| Introduction to Solid State Physics |
Charles Kittel |
| Elementary Solid State Physics |
Omar |
| Statistical Physics |
Reif |
| Mathematical Methods for Physicists |
Arfken |
| Classical Mechanics |
John R. Taylor |
| Introduction to Classical Mechanics: With Problems and Solutions |
David Morin |
| Heat and Thermodynamics |
Mark Zemansky |
| Thermodynamics Kinetic Theory and Statistical Thermodynamics |
FW Sears, G.L. Salinger |
| Optics |
Ghatak |
| A Text-Book of Optics |
Brijlal and Subhramanyam |
| Introduction to Electrodynamics |
Griffith |
| Electronic Devices and Circuit |
Boylestad /Nashelsky |
| Nuclear Fission and Cluster Radioactivity: An Energy-Density Functional Approach |
MA Hooshyar, Irwin Reichstein, F Bary Malik |
| Nuclear Physics |
V Devanathan |
| Atomic and Molecular Physics |
Raj Kumar |
Also Read: Important Topics and Best Books for IIT JAM Physics Paper
Commonly asked questions
Candidates who want to appear for IIT JAM exam for Physics course admission should formulate a strategy to crack this Science entrance exam. Here, it is important that candidates go through important IIT JAM Physics books, identify important topics, and thereafter solve as many IIT JAM question papers as they can. This is a sure-shot way of getting a good rank in IIT JAM result.
Candidates can go through important topics that they should study to score well in IIT JAM exam in the table mentioned below:
Kinetic theory, Thermodynamics | Mathematical Methods |
Simple Oscillators | Mechanics and General Properties of Matter |
Oscillations, Waves andBoolean Physics | |
Electricity and Magnetism | Solid State Physics, Devices and Electronics |
Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) |
IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Chemistry
The table below brings the list of top books for IIT JAM Chemistry preparation.
| Name of the Book |
Author |
|---|---|
| IIT-JAM: MSc (Chemistry) Previous Papers & Practice Test Papers (Solved) |
R Gupta |
| Solved Papers & Practice Sets IIT JAM (Joint Admission Test for MSc From IITs) – Chemistry |
Arihant Publication |
| Quantitative Analysis |
R.A. Day Jr. A.L. Underwood |
| Elementary Organic Spectroscopy: Principles and Chemical Applications |
Sharma Y.R. |
| Instrumental Approach to Chemical Analysis |
AK Srivastava, PC Jain |
| Analytical Chemistry: An Introduction |
D.A. Skoog, D.M. West and F.J. Holler, S.R. Crouch |
| Modern Experimental Organic Chemistry |
R.M. Roberts, J.C. Gilbert, L.B. Rodewald, A.S. Wingrove |
| Physical Chemistry |
Keith J. Laidler, John H. Meiser |
| Textbook Of Physical Chemistry |
Maron |
| Physical Chemistry |
Levine |
| Essentials of Nuclear Chemistry |
H. J Arnikar |
| Physical Chemistry – A Molecular Approach |
D. A. McQuarrie and J. D. Simon |
| Principles of Physical Chemistry |
B. R. Puri, L. R. Sharma, and M. S. Pathania |
| University General Chemistry |
CNR Rao |
| Chemistry of Organic Natural Products |
O. P. Agarwal |
| Concepts and Models of Inorganic Chemistry |
Bodie Douglas, Darl Mcdaniel, John Alexander |
| Concise Inorganic Chemistry |
JD Lee |
| Inorganic Chemistry |
AG Sharpe |
| Inorganic Chemistry |
Duward Shriver, P. W. Atkins, Tina Overton, Jonathan Rourke, Mark Weller |
| Organic Chemistry – Structure and Reactivity |
Seyhan N. Ege |
| Organic Chemistry |
Paula Y. Bruice |
| Organic Chemistry |
R.T. Morrison and R.N. Boyd |
| Applications of Absorption Spectroscopy of Organic Compounds |
Dyer |
| Organic Spectroscopy |
William Kemp |
| Spectroscopy of Organic Compounds |
PS Kalsi |
Also Read: Best Books for IIT JAM Chemistry
IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Biotechnology
Take a look at the list of IIT JAM books for Biotechnology subject preparation.
| Name of book |
Author |
|---|---|
| IIT-JAM: MSc (Biotechnology) Previous Papers (Solved) |
R Gupta |
| Solved Papers & Practice Sets IIT JAM (Joint Admission Test for MSc From IITs) – Biotechnology |
Arihant Publications |
| Biochemical Calculations |
Irwin H Segel |
| Bioinformatics |
Mount David W |
| Essential Cell Biology |
Bruce Alberts, Dennis Bray, Alexander D Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter |
| Molecular Cloning |
Sambrook and Russel |
| Principles of Gene Manipulation |
Sandy B Primrose, Richard Twyman, Bob Old |
| Kuby Immunology |
Thomas J Kindt, Barbara A Osborne, Richard Goldsby |
| Basic Immunology |
Abbas and Litchmann |
| Prescott’s Microbiology |
Joanne Willey, Linda Sherwood, Chris Woolverton |
| Microbiology |
Michael Pelczar Jr |
| Genetics (Benjamin/Cummings Series in the Life Sciences) |
Peter J Russell |
Also Read: Best Books for IIT JAM Biotechnology
Commonly asked questions
Candidates seeking admission in MSc Biotechnology courses offered at IITs should consider taking IIT JAM 2025. One of the most sought after courses, Biotechnology, is an extremely technical field and it requires aspirants to be thorough with all the topics at hand.
IIT JAM exam pattern for Biotechnology course admissions is such that aspirants need to attempt Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions.
The weightage of questions asked in the IIT JAM Biotechnology paper is as mentioned below:
Subject | Weightage (In percent) |
|---|---|
Biology | 44 |
Chemistry | 20 |
Mathematics | 18 |
Physics | 18 |
IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Geology
The table below brings the list of top books for IIT JAM Geology preparation.
| Name of book |
Author |
|---|---|
| IIT JAM Geology Book |
JBC Press |
| The IIT JAM Breaker Series |
Niloy Chakraborty and Rohan Nandy |
| IIT-JAM: M.Sc. (Geology) Previous Years Papers (Solved) |
Ajhar Hussain |
| The Making of India: Geodynamic Evolution |
KS Vaidya |
| Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology |
John D Winter |
| Earth’s Changing Surface |
MJ Selby |
Also Read: Important Topics and Best Books for IIT JAM Geology Preparation
Commonly asked questions
IIT JAM preparation for Geology requires aspirants to be thorough with the syllabus. This is important because there is a negative marking in the Joint Admission Test for MSc (JAM). Once candidates have completed their entire syllabus for IIT JAM 2023 for Geology course admission then they should consider solving past years’ IIT JAM question papers along with solving mock tests and sample papers to develop an idea of how to appear for a CBT.
Candidates can go through important topics that they should study to score well in the IIT JAM exam for Geology in the table mentioned below:
The Planet Earth | Geomorphology |
Structural Geology | |
Stratigraphy | Mineralogy |
Petrology | Economic Geology |
Applied Geology | |
IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Mathematics
Take a look at the list of IIT JAM books for Mathematics subject preparation.
| Name of Book |
Author |
|---|---|
| IIT-JAM: MSc (Mathematics) Previous Papers & Practice Test Papers (Solved) |
R Gupta |
| IIT Jam Mathematics for MSc Entrances Solved Papers |
Anand Kumar |
| Solved Papers & Practice Sets IIT JAM (Joint Admission Test for MSc From IITs) |
Arihant Publication |
| Abstract Algebra |
Bhattacharya, Jain & Nagpal |
| Complex numbers from A to Z |
T.Andreescu, D.Andrica |
| Calculus: One-Variable Calculus with An Introduction to Linear Algebra Vol 1 |
Tom M. Apostol |
| Calculus: Multi-Variable Calculus and Linear Algebra with Applications to Differential Equations and Probability – Vol 2 |
Tom M. Apostol |
| Calculus |
Howard Anton, Irl Bivens, Stephens Davis |
| Group theory |
Sudesh Kumari Shah |
| Contemporary Abstract Algebra |
Gallian |
| Topics in Algebra |
I.N. Herstein |
| Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations |
M.D. Raisinghania |
| University Algebra |
N.S. Gopalakrishan |
| Linear Algebra |
Stephen H. Friedberg, Arnold J. Insel, Lawrence E. Spence |
| Principles of Mathematical Analysis |
Walter Rudin |
| Vector Analysis: Schaum’s Outlines Series |
Murray Spiegel, Seymour Lipschutz, Dennis Spellman |
| Topics in Abstract Algebra |
M. Parthasarathi |
Also Read: Important Topics and Best Books for IIT JAM Mathematics
IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Mathematical Statistics
Commonly asked questions
Topics to Study in IIT JAM Mathematical Statistics:
Aspirants can go through important topics that they should study to secure good marks in the IIT JAM exam for Mathematical Statistics below:
Important Topics in Mathematics | |
|---|---|
Sequences and Series | Differential Calculus |
Integral Calculus | Matrices |
Important Topics in Statistics | |
Probability | Random Variables |
Standard Distributions | Joint Distributions |
Sampling Distributions | Limit Theorems |
Estimation | Testing of Hypotheses |
IIT JAM 2026 Best Books for Economics
IIT JAM 2026 Preparation Tips
Commonly asked questions
Candidates can go through IT JAM preparation tips mentioned below in order to formulate a strategy to crack the JAM exam paper for Physics.
Know the exam pattern
The first and foremost thing that candidates need to be well acquainted with is to know IIT JAM exam pattern. IIT JAM 2026 for Physics will consist of three sections wherein candidates need to attempt – MCQs, MSQs and NAT questions.
Section | Type of Questions | No of Question |
|---|---|---|
A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 30 |
B | Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) | 10 |
C | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 20 |
Total | 60 | |
Know the marking scheme
The next step for exam prep is to know the marking scheme for IIT JAM. This is important as by knowing the marking scheme, aspirants can have a plan of action in place to avoid negative marking wherever possible in the exam.
Section | No of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
A | 10 MCQs | 1 mark each |
20 MCQs | 2 marks each | |
B | 10 MSQs | 2 marks each |
C | 10 NAT Questions | 1 mark each |
10 NAT Questions | 2 marks each |
In IIT JAM for Physics, there is a negative marking in Section A only. There is no negative marking in Section B and Section C of the exam.
Know the syllabus
Next, aspirants need to be thorough with IIT JAM syllabus. Here, candidates need to be well acquainted with the topics that they need to ace to score well in the science entrance exam. The topics that form a part of IIT JAM syllabus include:
Mathematical Methods | Mechanics and General Properties of Matter |
Electricity and Magnetism | |
Kinetic theory, Thermodynamics | Modern Physics |
Solid State Physics, Devices and Electronics | |
Prepare a timetable
Candidates should prepare a timetable for how they want to complete and revise the syllabus for the Physics paper in the IIT JAM exam. Also, while preparing the timetable candidates need to include adequate time to solve practice papers and thereafter revise important topics for IIT JAM preparation.
Know important formulas
While preparing different topics for the IIT JAM Physics paper, candidates should ensure that they keep jotting down the important formulae for each topic. This will prove extremely helpful at the time of revision as students would have a consolidated list of all the important formulae for IIT JAM Physics preparation which they can easily refer to before taking the exam.
Read important books
Aspirants should make a list of important books to read for IIT JAM physics exam preparation. Here, candidates should go through one or two important books and thereafter prepare well for each section of this Science exam.
Physics is one of the most sought course of choice among students who want to take admission in IITs, IISc, etc. It is for this reason alone that IIT JAM Physics paper is extremely competitive. Thus, when preparing for the Physics paper in JAM exam, candidates are suggested to pay less attention to the number of books from which they are studying and more emphasis on finding the topics that will help them score more.
To have an effective prep plan for IIT JAM Physics paper, students should have a timetable in place and make notes of important formulas that will make their last-minute preparation easy.
IIT JAM Physics Study Plan for First Month | ||
|---|---|---|
Week of Study | Topic to Study | Sub-topic to Study |
1 | Mechanics and General Properties of Matter-I | Newton’s Laws of Motion and Applications |
Kepler’s Laws | ||
Polar and Cylindrical Coordinate Systems, | ||
Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces | ||
Centrifugal and Coriolis Forces | ||
Motion Under a Central Force | ||
Uniformly Rotating Frame | ||
Gravitational Law and Field | ||
Velocity and Acceleration in Cartesian | ||
2 | Mechanics and General Properties of Matter-II | System of Particles |
Conservation of Linear and Angular Momentum | ||
Conservation of Energy | ||
Center of Mass | ||
Equation of Motion of the Center of Mass | ||
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions | ||
Fixed Axis Rotations | ||
Rigid Body Motion | ||
Rotation and Translation | ||
Parallel and Perpendicular Axes Theorem | ||
Moments of Inertia and Products of Inertia | ||
Principal Moments and Axes | ||
Equation of Continuity | ||
Kinematics of Moving Fluids | ||
Euler’s Equation | ||
Bernoulli’s Theorem | ||
3 | Mathematical Methods-I | Stokes’ Theorem |
Green’s Theorem | ||
Divergence Theorem | ||
Multiple Integrals | ||
Vector Calculus | ||
Vector Algebra | ||
Fourier Series | ||
Taylor Expansion | ||
Imperfect and Perfect Differentials | ||
Jacobian Matrix | ||
Partial Derivatives | ||
Calculus of Single and Multiple Variables | ||
4 | Mathematical Methods-II | First Order Equations |
Linear Second Order Differential Equations with Constant Coefficients | ||
Algebra of Complex Numbers | ||
Matrices and Determinants | ||
IIT JAM Physics Study Plan for Second Month | ||
Week of Study | Topic to Study | Sub-topic to Study |
5 | Electricity and Magnetism-I | Coulomb’s Law |
Gauss’s Law | ||
Electric Field and Potential | ||
Electrostatic Boundary Conditions | ||
Solution of Laplace’s Equation for Simple Cases | ||
Capacitors | ||
Conductors | ||
Dielectric Polarization | ||
Electrostatic Energy | ||
Volume and Surface Charges | ||
6 | Oscillations, Waves and Optics-I | Differential Equation for Simple Harmonic Oscillator and Its General Solution |
Superposition of Two or More Simple Harmonic Oscillator | ||
Damped and Forced Oscillators | ||
Resonance | ||
7 | Oscillations, Waves and Optics-II | Energy Density and Energy Transmission in Waves |
Wave Equation | ||
Group Velocity and Phase Velocity | ||
Sound Waves in Media | ||
Doppler Effect | ||
Wave Equation | ||
Fermat’s Principle | ||
8 | Oscillations, Waves and Optics-III | General Theory of Image Formation |
Thick Lens, Thin Lens and Lens Combinations | ||
Fraunhofer Diffraction | ||
Rayleigh Criterion and Resolving Power | ||
Diffraction Gratings | ||
Polarization | ||
Double Refraction and Optical Rotation | ||
FAQs Regarding IIT JAM 2026 Preparation Books
Commonly asked questions
The difficulty level of IIT JAM is moderate to tough. The difficulty level for subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics is tougher as compared to the IIT JAM subjects of Economics, Biotechnology and Geology.
If we compare the difficulty level of IIT JAM examination with CUET PG exam, ISI Admission test, NEST exam, IISER Entrance examination, then it will be found that IIT JAM examination is comparetively tougher than the other top colleges/ universities entrance examination.
Candidates can go through IT JAM preparation tips mentioned below in order to formulate a strategy to crack the JAM exam paper for Physics.
Know the exam pattern
The first and foremost thing that candidates need to be well acquainted with is to know IIT JAM exam pattern. IIT JAM 2026 for Physics will consist of three sections wherein candidates need to attempt – MCQs, MSQs and NAT questions.
Section | Type of Questions | No of Question |
|---|---|---|
A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 30 |
B | Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) | 10 |
C | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 20 |
Total | 60 | |
Know the marking scheme
The next step for exam prep is to know the marking scheme for IIT JAM. This is important as by knowing the marking scheme, aspirants can have a plan of action in place to avoid negative marking wherever possible in the exam.
Section | No of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
A | 10 MCQs | 1 mark each |
20 MCQs | 2 marks each | |
B | 10 MSQs | 2 marks each |
C | 10 NAT Questions | 1 mark each |
10 NAT Questions | 2 marks each |
In IIT JAM for Physics, there is a negative marking in Section A only. There is no negative marking in Section B and Section C of the exam.
Know the syllabus
Next, aspirants need to be thorough with IIT JAM syllabus. Here, candidates need to be well acquainted with the topics that they need to ace to score well in the science entrance exam. The topics that form a part of IIT JAM syllabus include:
Mathematical Methods | Mechanics and General Properties of Matter |
Electricity and Magnetism | |
Kinetic theory, Thermodynamics | Modern Physics |
Solid State Physics, Devices and Electronics | |
Prepare a timetable
Candidates should prepare a timetable for how they want to complete and revise the syllabus for the Physics paper in the IIT JAM exam. Also, while preparing the timetable candidates need to include adequate time to solve practice papers and thereafter revise important topics for IIT JAM preparation.
Know important formulas
While preparing different topics for the IIT JAM Physics paper, candidates should ensure that they keep jotting down the important formulae for each topic. This will prove extremely helpful at the time of revision as students would have a consolidated list of all the important formulae for IIT JAM Physics preparation which they can easily refer to before taking the exam.
Read important books
Aspirants should make a list of important books to read for IIT JAM physics exam preparation. Here, candidates should go through one or two important books and thereafter prepare well for each section of this Science exam.
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