IIT JAM 2026 exam dates are out and the exam was scheduled for February 15, 2026. Aspiring candidates of IIT JAM 2026 physics course should start their JAM 2026 exam preparation to ace the exam and get desired participating institutes. Go through a step-by-step guide on how to crack IIT JAM Physics paper. Also, refer to IIT JAM 2026 prep tips and important topics to study in Physics subject.
IIT JAM 2026 Physics Preparation
IIT JAM exam is conducted on a rotational basis by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to shortlist aspirants for admission to MSc and integrated PhD programmes offered at colleges accepting IIT JAM 2026 scores for admission. IIT JAM 2026 was concluded on February 15, 2026. IIT JAM 2026 was conducted for seven subjects, one of which is Physics.
Candidates who wish to take IIT JAM 2026 exam, should start their JAM 2026 MSc Physics preparation soon. The exam pattern for the JAM 2026 physics exam is designed with a blend of theoretical and numerical concepts. As IIT JAM 2026 physics syllabus is depth and vast, a pre-defined IIT JAM 2026 physics preparation should be done by the candidates.
Latest: Steps to download JAM 2026 answer key
As per the candidates who participated in the IIT JAM 2026 exam for various subjects, it can be classified as Moderate to Difficult for different subjects. Sections A & B were comparatively easy and NAT questions were difficult.
In recent years, Economics (EN) has been added as a subject. The remaining papers for which IIT Joint Admission Test for MSc (JAM) will be held are mentioned below:
| Mathematical Statistics (MS) |
|
- What is IIT JAM 2026?
- What are IIT JAM 2026 Exam Highlights
- IIT JAM 2026: Physics Course Seat Matrix
- 7 Prep Tips to Crack IIT JAM Physics Paper
- Important Topics for IIT JAM 2026 Prep for Physics
- IIT JAM 2026 Physics Important Topics
What is IIT JAM 2026?
The Joint Admission Test for MSc (JAM) is an all-India level online entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) every year on a rotational basis on behalf of the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India. IIT JAM is conducted to provide admission to candidates in MSc and other postgraduate courses offered at IITs and integrated PhD courses offered by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. Several National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs) also accept JAM scores for MSc admissions.
Also Read: IIT JAM Eligibility Criteria: Know Educational Qualification and Age Limit
Commonly asked questions
IIT JAM 2026 syllabus pdf is available on the website, jam2026.iitb.ac.in. The syllabus pdf is available for all seven papers. Students can check the syllabus of IIT JAM to know the important topics for preparation.
What are IIT JAM 2026 Exam Highlights
The following table brings the important information and highlights of IIT JAM 2026.
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name |
Indian Institute of Technology Joint Admission Test for Masters |
| Conducting Body |
IIT Bombay |
| Exam Level |
Postgraduate Exam at the National level |
| Exam Frequency |
Once a year |
| Mode of Exam |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Number of Applicants |
1-2 lakhs |
| Courses Offered Through Entrance Exam |
(i) MSc (ii) MSc (Tech.), (iii) MS (Research), (iv) MSc– MTech. Dual Degree, (v) Joint MSc – Ph.D, and (vi) MSc – PhD Dual Degree |
| Exam Fees |
INR 900 (Female candidates applying for one paper) INR 1,250 (Female candidates applying for two papers) INR 1,800 (All other category candidates applying for one paper) INR 2,500 (All other category candidates applying for two papers) |
| Exam Duration |
3 hours |
| Number of Papers and Total Marks |
Seven papers in total, with 100 marks each |
| Total Number of Questions |
60 |
| Marking Scheme |
Differential marking scheme carrying 1 mark and 2 marks |
| Language/Medium of Questions |
English |
| Colleges Accepting IIT JAM Scores |
IITs, IISc Bangalore, NITs and CFTIs |
| Total Number of Seats |
2,900 (approx) |
| Number of Exam Cities |
113 |
| Official Website |
jam2026.iitb.ac.in |
IIT JAM 2026: Physics Course Seat Matrix
Candidates can check the table below, mentioning the number of seats available for Physics (PH) subject code
| Institute Name | Course Name | Number of Seats Available | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN | EWS | SC | ST | OBC | Total | ||
| IIT Bhillai | MSc Physics | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1+1* | 20 |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | MSc Physics | 10 | 3 | 7+1* | 4 | 2 | 27 |
| Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences | 9 + 1* | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 24 | |
| IIT Bombay | Applied Geophysics | 8 | 2 | 4+1* | 3 | 2 | 20 |
| MSc Physics | 23 + 1* | 6 | 16 | 8+1* | 4+1* | 60 | |
| Energy Science and Engineering |
4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | |
| IIT Delhi | MSc in Physics | 27 + 1* | 6 + 1* | 17 + 1* | 10 | 5 | 68 |
| IIT Dhanbad | MSc Physics | 21 + 1* | 6 | 15 | 8 | 3+1* | 55 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | MSc Physics | 17 + 1* | 5 | 12 | 6+1* | 3 | 45 |
| IIT Guwahati | MSc Physics | 22 + 2* | 6 | 16 | 9 | 4+1* | 60 |
| IIT Hyderabad | MSc Physics | 15 + 1* | 4 | 11 | 6 | 2+1* | 40 |
| IIT Indore | MSc Physics | 12 | 3 | 8+1* | 4 | 2 | 30 |
| IIT Jammu | MSc Physics | 8 | 2 | 6 | 2+1* | 1 | 20 |
| IIT Jodhpur | MSc Physics | 8 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 20 |
| Physics and Materials Engineering |
6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | |
| IIT Kanpur | MSc Physics | 14 + 1* | 3+1* | 10 | 6 | 3 | 38 |
| IIT Kharagpur | MSc Physics | 23 + 1* | 6 | 15+1* | 9 | 3+1* | 59 |
| IIT Madras | MSc Physics | 21 + 1* | 5 | 15 | 7+1* | 4 | 54 |
| IIT Mandi | MSc Physics | 12 | 2+1* | 8 | 5 | 1+1* | 30 |
| Integrated- Ph.D |
4 + 1* | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 12 | |
| IIT Palakkad | MSc Physics | 7 + 1* | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 21 |
| IIT Patna | MSc Physics | 12 + 1* | 3 | 7+1* | 4 | 2 | 30 |
| IIT Roorkee | MSc Physics | 12 | 3 | 8+1* | 4 | 1+1* | 30 |
| IIT Ropar | MSc Physics | 10 | 1+1* | 6+1* | 4 | 2 | 25 |
| IIT Tirupati | MSc Physics | 8 | 3 | 5 | 2+1* | 1 | 20 |
| IIT Varanasi | MSc Physics | 10 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 1+1* | 25 |
* Indicates seats reserved for PwD Candidates.
Here is the table given below showing the number of seats available in the respective IIT’s for the subject -Physics
Given the limited number of seats in the Physics course through the science entrance exam, it is not difficult to estimate how competitive the exam is. Thus, candidates need to have a strategy in place to crack IIT JAM 2026 to get admission in the Physics course.
Now, coming to IIT JAM preparation, Physics is one of the most sought after courses of choice in IIT JAM exam. Each year, around 10,000 to 15,000 students appear for Physics paper in IIT JAM. Thus, candidates must have a strategy in place to crack IIT JAM 2026 for the Physics subject.
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7 Prep Tips to Crack IIT JAM Physics Paper
Candidates can go through IIT JAM prep 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 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 |
|
Also Read: Is IIT JAM 2026 exam difficult?
Know the marking scheme
The next step for exam prep is to know the marking scheme for IIT JAM 2026. 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 2026. 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 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 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 will 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.
Solve past years’ papers
It is important that candidates go through past years’ IIT JAM question papers. This would give them an idea of the exam paper, how questions are posed and important topics that have the maximum weightage in the exam.
Solve mock tests and sample papers
To crack IIT JAM physics paper, practice is the key. Thus, candidates need to solve as many sample papers & mock tests as they can get their hands on while preparing for IIT JAM 2026 exam. This helps aspirants determine how well they have prepared for the exam. Along with this, candidates can also increase their speed of attempting questions in the exam and also formulate a time management strategy to crack IIT JAM Physics paper.
Important Topics for IIT JAM 2026 Prep for Physics
Knowing what topics to study to score well in IIT JAM Physics exam is key while preparing for the science entrance exam. Candidates can go through the list of some important topics that they should study to get a good rank in IIT JAM result below:
- Kinetic Theory, Thermodynamics
- Mathematical Methods
- Mechanics and General Properties of Matter
- Oscillations, Waves and Wave optics
- Modern Physics
- Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism
- Solid State Physics, Devices and Electronics
- Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT)
- Boolean algebra
Explore more Science exams with upcoming date
1 Aug '26
IIT JAM 2026 Physics Important Topics
Mentioned in the table below is the weightage of questions asked in IIT JAM Physics paper over the past few years.
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Oscillation and wave optics | 9-10 |
| Modern Physics | 6-7 |
| Mathematical Physics | 7-10 |
| Electricity and Magnetism | 10-11 |
| Solid state, Devices and Elements | 10-12 |
| Mechanics and General Properties of Matter | 12-15 |
| Kinematic | 10-12 |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
No, the competition has been fluctuating over the past 3 years for the M.Tech CSE programme in the 3rd round for the General AI category. In 2026, the cutoff for this course was 625. In 2025, it was 635. In 2024, it was 620.
Among the OBC AI quota, the cutoff trend has also been fluctuating. In 2026
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Your Class 12 marks does not matter for admission at IIT Goa for the MSc courses. For admission at this IIT for the MSc programme, you would need to first have a Bachelors degree with at least 55% marks for the General and OBC categories (50% marks for the SC, ST and PWD categories).
Hence, to gain
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, you cannot get admission to IIT Goa with a rank of 2267 in the IIT JAM exam. As per the IIT Goa cutoff 2026, the round three closing ranks ranged from 775 to 792 for the General AI category. Hence, admission to this college with the attained rank is not possible.
But you can get into NIT Srinaga
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT Goa JAM cutoff 2026 was released up to the third round for different AI quota categories. For the General AI category, the round 3 closing ranks ranged from 775 to 792. So, General AI category candidates need to attain a rank of at least 792 to be elgible for admission.
Check the list below to k
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
No, according to the IIT Dharwad MSc cutoff 2026 for the third round, you cannot get into this college. For the General AI category, the round 3 closing rank was 708.
But you can get into IIT Goa in the third round. This college had the 3rd round cutoff of 775 for the General AI category.
Students c
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT Dharwad MSc Physics cutoff 2026 was 767 for the General AI category in the third round. The IIT Dharwad MSc cutoff 2026 has been released up to round 3 for admission to the MSc in Physics and other branches.
See the list below to know the round 3 cutoff for all other categories.
- OBC: 1272
- SC: 240
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The IIT Gandhinagar JAM cutoff 2026 has been released till the 3rd round for admission to the MSc courses. The OBC AI category, the round 3 cutoff ranged from 439 to 459. Therefore, students need to attain a rank of at least 459 or below if they belong to this category.
Check the table below to know
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT Bhubaneswar OBC cutoff 2026 was released for admission to the MSc course for the third round.
For the OBC AI category, the round 3 cutoff ranged from 246 to 1425 for various MSc courses. Among all, M.Sc. + Ph.D. in Geology was the toughest course for admission, with the cutoff being 246.
Studen
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, you can get into IIT Hyderabad with a rank of 400 if you belong to the OBC AI category. For this category, the round 3 cutoff ranged from 454 to 707.
Students can check the table below to know which branches are available.
| Course | IIT Hyderabad MSc cutoff 2026 |
|---|---|
| M.Sc. in Chemistry | 566 |
| M.Sc. in Physics | 707 |
| M.Sc. in Mathematics | 454 |
The IIT Hyderabad JAM cutoff 2026 was released till round 3 for various M
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The IIT Indore MSc cutoff 2026 was released till round 3 for various All India quota categories. For the MSc in Physics course, the cutoff (Round 1 to Round 3) ranged from 420 to 420 for the General AI category.
Students can see the table below to know the IIT Indore MSc cutoff 2026 for different Al
N
Contributor-Level 10
Rakshit Prabhakar is a content writer with 2 years of experience. He is an alumnus of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, where he did Bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication. This gives him a solid bas
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