How to prepare for IIT JAM Physics 2026: Check Important Topics and Books here
Indian Institute of Technology Joint Admission Test for MSc 2027 ( IIT JAM )
IIT JAM 2027 Application Process
5 Sep '26 - 12 Oct '26
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
14 Dec '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 Yesterday
The rank needed to get into IIT Kanpur would depend on the category and branch chosen. For the General AI category, the highest rank admissible was 900 for the Integrated PhD in Sustainable Energy Engineering programme.
To know the maximum rank required by other categories, check the table below.
| Category | Highest Acceptable Rank 2026 |
|---|---|
| General | 900 |
| OBC | 1322 |
| SC | 3192 |
| ST | 3515 |
| EWS | 1459 |
| PWD | 3002 |
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
IIT Guwahati cutoff 2026 for the SC AI category ranged from 676 in the first round to 2187 in the last round. As per this range, MSc in Mathematics and Computing was the most competitive course for admission, with the highest acceptable cutoff of 676. Students can check the table below for the Round
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
A good IIT JAM rank would differ depending on the category, branch and round. For the General AI category, the overall cutoff ranged from 328 to 507. Hence, a good rank could be somewhere around 300 for the General AI category. To know the estimated good enough rank for other categories, see the tab
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
IIT Roorkee MSc cutoff 2026 ranged from 126 to 904 in the first round for the OBC AI category. By the last round, the closing rank ranged from 158 to 1118. Hence, OBC AI category students need a rank of at least 1118 to be qualified for admission. Candidates can check the table below to know the fir
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Students in the General AI category need a rank of at least 924 to be considered eligible for admission. If students want to get admission to other, more competitive courses, like MSc in Physics, MSc in Chemistry, etc., then a rank of at least 250 or 212 is required. Look at the table below to know
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IIT Bombay JAM cutoff 2026 has been released for admission to the MSc and MSc+ PhD courses. The cutoff was announced for different categories under the All India quota.
For the General AI category, the overall cutoff ranged from 15 (MSc in Biotechnology) to 839 (MSc+ PhD in Environmental Science a
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
SC category students under the All India quota need a rank of at least 2336 to be considered eligible for a seat. Candidates can check the table below to know the Round 1 and Last Round closing ranks for the SC AI category.
| Course | Round 1 Cutoff 2026 | Last Round Cutoff 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. + Ph.D. in Chemistry | 2330 | 2336 |
| M.Sc. + Ph.D. in Mathematics | 1485 | 1485 |
| M.Sc. + Ph.D. in Physics | 2098 | 2229 |
| M.Sc. + Ph.D. in Geology | 444 | 463 |
| M.Sc. + Ph.D. in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences | 1921 | 1921 |
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IIT Hyderabad JAM cutoff 2026 ranged from 260 in the first round to 429 in the last round for the General AI category. As per this range, MSc in Mathematics turned out to be the most competitive. This course had the overall cutoff ranging between 260 and 284.
Students can see the table below to know
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
IIT Indore cutoff 2026 for the OBC AI category ranged from 211 to 1353 in the last round. As per this range, MSc in Biotechnology and MSc in Astronomy were the most and least competitive MSc branches for admission. Students can check the table below to know the round 1 and last round cutoff for vari
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Missing the qualifying cutoff rank by even a small margin can make admission at IIT Dhanbad for its MSc and MSc Tech courses unlikely. Students who want admission to this institute need to attain course- and category-specific ranks. The admission process is strict because the seat counts are low and
N
Contributor-Level 10
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