How to prepare for IIT JAM Physics 2026: Check Important Topics and Books here
Indian Institute of Technology Joint Admission Test for MSc 2026 ( IIT JAM )
Counselling - 27 Mar '26 - 15 Apr '26
IIT JAM 2026 exam dates are out and the exam is 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
After JEE session 2 is completed, only those candidates who are aiming for IITs need to start preparing for JEE Advanced after clearing JEE Main. Those who are above the 98th percentile should start preparing for JEE Advanced as soon as possible. Those below this, between the 95th and 98th percentile, should focus on attempting more mock tests and previous year question papers so that they have a better chance of clearing JEE Advanced
Admissions to PhD at IIT Gandhinagar generally opens up toward the beginning and end of each academic year. In addition to the announced admission cycles with a prescribed deadline of application, the institute also considers applications for any time of the year for exceptional candidates. Based on the qualifications of the candidates and the need of the specialisation, applications received are processed via duly constituted selection committees at regular intervals. Currently, PhD admissions are open for Start Early courses and via a Special Drive for OBC (NCL)/ SC/ ST/ PWD catgeory students.
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
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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 2 weeks ago
Yes, BSc students are eligible for IIT JAM 2026. They have to complete their graduation or must be in the final year of graduation while applying for JAM. Admisison is offered to M.Sc., M.Sc. (Tech.), MS (Research), M.Sc. - M.Tech. Dual Degree, Joint M.Sc. - Ph.D., M.Sc. - Ph.D. Dual Degree, and Int
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Students who have a score above the JAM qualifying cutoff and are mentioned in the merit list can apply for the counselling process. The counselling will be held online. JAM counselling schedules are available online.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT JAM 2026 counselling will be held in four rounds, followed by an additional round. Students need to fill the form at the JOAPS portal to participate in the JAM counselling process.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
The authority has released the JAM qualifying marks online. Candidates can check cutoff to know the minimum passing marks in each paper. IIT JAM qualifying marks for Economics are mentioned below.
- GEN -40.63
- OBC-NCl / EWs -36.56
- SC/ST/PwD - 20.31
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT JAM 2026 cutoff was released on March 21, 2026. Candidates can check the cutoff at official website. This is the qualifying cutoff. Candidates who score above the IIT JAM qualifying cutoff can participate in the counselling process.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT JAM 2026 qualifying cutoff for GEN category vary category wise. Check the table for the JAM qualifying cutoff subject-wise.
Subject Name | GEN Cutoff |
Biotechnology | 42.3 |
Chemistry | 18.65 |
Economics | 40.63 |
Geology | 25.98 |
Mathematics | 12.65 |
Mathematics Statistics | 13.33 |
Physics | 12.04 |
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Below is the qualifying cutoff for IIT JAM OBC category.
Subject Name | OBC (NCL) / EWS |
Biotechnology | 38.07 |
Chemistry | 16.78 |
Economics | 36.56 |
Geology | 23.38 |
Mathematics | 11.38 |
Mathematics Statistics | 11.99 |
Physics | 10.83 |
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Based on past years exam analysis, IIT JAM is moderately difficult. The questions in the JAM exam are conceptually based. Candidates need to keep their concepts clear and practice JAM question papers regularly for better performance in the exam.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT JAM counselling process is mentioned below.
- Go to IIT JAM 20266 website
- Click on the JOAPS portal
- Click on counselling link
- Fill the form, choose the preference order
- Pay the fees
- Submit the form
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIT JAM merit list is based on AIR. The authority will consider the total number of seats available in each category, to include the number of candidates in the All India Merit List. Candidates who are included in the merit list will be eligible to apply for admisison.
V
Contributor-Level 10
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