IIT JAM 2026: Admit Card, Exam Date, Pattern, Syllabus & Other Updates

Indian Institute of Technology Joint Admission Test for MSc 2026 ( IIT JAM )

DeskCalelnderAdmit Card - 5 Jan '26

Updated on Dec 2, 2025 14:29 IST
IIT JAM 2026 admit card will be released on January 5, 2026, by IIT Bombay. All the registered candidates can now avail their official admit card on the particular date. Here in this article, we'll discuss IIT JAM courses offered, preparation, admit card, syllabus, and complete admission process.

 IIT JAM 2026 admit card will be released on January 5, 2026, by IIT Bombay. All the registered candidates can now avail their official admit card on the particular date. Here in this article, we'll discuss IIT JAM courses offered, preparation, admit card, syllabus, and complete admission process.

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IIT JAM 2026 exam will be held on February 15, 2026, for admissions to the MSc, MSc (Tech), MS and Integrated PhD programmes. For the academic session 2026-2027, IIT Bombay is the examination conducting body for the admission process right from the release of the notification, JAM 2026 Registration, exam, result and counselling process.

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Table of contents
  • What is IIT JAM 2026?
  • What are IIT JAM 2026 Exam Highlights
  • What is IIT JAM 2026 exam date?
  • Admission Programmes Offered by IIT JAM 2026
  • What is JAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria
  • How to Get Admissions through IIT JAM?

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. 

Q:   What type of questions does Section B of IIT JAM exam have?
A:

JAM 2026 Examination will be conducted in SEVEN subjects, also referred to as Test Papers; Biotechnology (BT), Chemistry (CY), Economics (EN), Geology (GG), Mathematics (MA),  Mathematical Statistics (MS), and Physics (PH). The medium for all the Test Papers is English only.

JAM 2026 examination pattern is divoded in such a way that the exam will be conducted in the form of three sections ie., Section A, B and C.

Section - B contains a total of 10 Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) carrying two marks each. Each MSQ is similar to MCQ but with the difference that MSQ may have one or more than one correct choice (s) out of the four given choices. The candidate is awarded full credit only if all the correct answer (s) and no wrong answers are selected. Candidates can mark the answer (s) by clicking the choice (s). There is no negative marking or partial marking for MSQ.

Q:   What are the other miscellaneous information about IIT JAM examination pattern?
A:

In all sections, questions not attempted will result in zero marks. There is no provision for partial marking. The candidates are required to select the answer (s) for MCQ and MSQ type questions using the mouse. The answer for NAT questions must be entered using a mouse on a virtual numeric keypad. The keyboard of the computer will be disabled.
There is a provision for using an online virtual calculator. Candidates are not allowed to bring their own calculators.
A scribble pad will be provided for rough work. Candidates have to write their name and registration number before using it. The scribble pad has to be returned at the end of the examination. The examination will end automatically after the GIVEN time. 

Q:   Will marks be deducted for unanswered questions in IIT JAM 2026?
A:

In IIT JAM 2026 exam pattern there will be no deduction of marks for unanswered questions. Such questions will not be taken into consideration while calculating the total marks.

What are IIT JAM 2026 Exam Highlights

The following table brings the important information and highlights of IIT JAM 2026.

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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

What is IIT JAM 2026 exam date?

Below is the list of JAM 2026 important dates regarding the admission process:

Q:   Do all test papers in IIT JAM follow the same 3-hour, 100-mark format?
A:

Yes, all IIT JAM papers follow the same 3-hour, 100-mark format. This structure applies in all seven disciplines, which include 60 questions divided into three sections. All papers are computer-based and presented in English, and every section is mandatory for all candidates.

Q:   What are the key factors affecting IIT JAM ranks?
A:

There are several factors that can affect the relationship between marks and rank in IIT JAM:

Individual Score

Number of candidates applied

Difficulty Level of the Exam

Seat Availability

Category Reservation

JAM 2026 Examination Schedule

Date

IIT JAM 2026 Notification

July 26, 2025

JAM Online Application Processing System (JOAPS) Website Opens

September 5, 2025

Availability of JAM Admit Cards on the Online Application Portal (for Download and Printing) January 5, 2026
Date of Examination February 15, 2026

IIT JAM 2026 Results

March 20, 2026

IIT JAM 2026 Counselling Start Date

April 2026
IIT JAM 2026 Counselling End Date May 2026

Admission Programmes Offered by IIT JAM 2026

JAM Score 2026 is used for admission to various postgraduate programmes such as (i) M.Sc., (ii) M.Sc. (Tech.), (iii) MS (Research), (iv) M.Sc. - M.Tech. Dual Degree, (v) Joint M.Sc. - Ph.D., and (vi) M.Sc. - Ph.D. Dual Degree, across multiple disciplines by premier institutes across the country. Interested applicants can also check IIT JAM 2026 Seat Matrix here.

Below are 8 MSc programmes offered by IIT JAM 2026 exam:

  • MSc Physics
  • MSc Mathematics
  • MSc Chemistry
  • MSc Economics
  • MSc Geology
  • MSc Biotechnology
  • MSc Mathematical Statistics
  • MSc Biological Sciences (newly introduced)

Below are the MSc Integrated PhD programmes offered by IIT JAM 2026 exam:

  • Joint MSc- PhD Programme (Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Geology, Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences)
  • MSc-Phd Dual Degree Programme (Energy Science and Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering)

What is JAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria

It's important to note that while the core JAM eligibility criteria set a national benchmark, individual universities can define additional program-specific requirements. These might pertain to work experience, specific test scores, or portfolios. It is the responsibility of the candidates to prove that they satisfy IIT JAM 2026 Minimum Educational Qualifications (MEQs) and Eligibility Requirements (ERs) for admission.

Prior to filling out IIT JAM 2026 application form, aspirants must ensure that they fulfil IIT JAM 2026 eligibility criteria.

  • In order to fulfil IIT JAM 2026 eligibility criteria, candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree. 
  • Candidates who had appeared or will appear for their graduation exams in 2025 are also eligible to apply, provided they submit the proof by September 2025.
  • For the admission process, candidates who pass IIT JAM 2026 exam will be eligible to apply for the admission process.

How to Get Admissions through IIT JAM?

JAM 2026 admission process is long and extensive and consists of many events like registration, application fee, application correction window, admit card, exam day, answer key, answer key challenge, result, counselling, and seat allocation process. Candidates can find the detailed JAM 2026 events from here:

IIT JAM Exam Schedule 2026

Candidates must go through the following table to check out IIT JAM 2026 exam schedule:

Date

Test Paper Code

Session

Time

Feb 15, 2026 (Sunday)

CY, GG, MA

Forenoon (FN)

9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Feb 15, 2026 (Sunday)

BT, EN, MS, PH

Afternoon (AN)

2:30 pm to 5:30 pm

IIT JAM 2026 Application Fee 

After the form is submitted, a new window will open that will display the name and enrollment ID of the candidate. The window will also display the amount to be paid by the candidate as the application fee. After checking these details, candidates need to click on the 'Proceed to Payment' button.

Mentioned below in the table is the application fee that candidates need to pay for IIT JAM 2026. 

Category

IIT JAM Application Fee for One Test Paper (in INR)

IIT JAM Application Fee for Two Test Papers (in INR)

Female (All Categories)/ SC/ ST/ PwD

1,000

INR 1,350

All Others

2,000

INR 2,700

Candidates can also review the additional fee they would need to pay if they change any JAM test paper.

Group/Category

Existing

Wishes to Change

Wishes to Add

Case

Additional Fee (in INR)

Case

Additional Fee (in INR)

Female (All Categories)/ SC/ ST/ PwD)

One Test Paper

One Test Paper

750

One Test Paper

300

Two Test Papers

Any One Test Paper

300

Not Applicable

Both Papers

1,050

All Others

One Test Paper

One Test Paper

1,500

One Test Paper

600

Two Test Papers

Any One Test Paper

600

 

What is IIT JAM 2026 Exam Pattern?

IIT JAM 2026 exam pattern states that each test paper is of a three-hour duration. In the exam, candidates need to attempt 60 questions, which were of 100 marks weightage. These 60 questions are divided into three sections – A, B, and C. The medium of instruction for JAM test papers is English. 

The detailed expected IIT JAM exam pattern 2026 is mentioned in the table below:

Section

Type of Questions

No of Question

A

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Each question has four choices with one correct answer.

30

B

Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)

Each question has four choices with one or more correct answers.

10

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

Total

60

IIT JAM 2026 Syllabus

While preparing for IIT JAM 2026, one must look for the syllabus of the concerned subject that one has opted for in IIT JAM 2026. The exam officials have released IIT JAM syllabus 2026 along with the exam notification and information brochure. IIT JAM 2026 exam will be conducted to check the knowledge of candidates based on what they have studied in their undergraduate courses. Candidates can check the expected subject-specific IIT JAM 2026 syllabus from below:

IIT JAM Syllabus 2026 for Biotechnology (BL)

The JAM test paper for Biotechnology consists of four subjects - Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Aspirants can go through IIT JAM Biotechnology syllabus below:

  • Biology: Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Evolution, Micro biology, plant and animal biology, ecology, biotechnology, Biochemical Techniques.
  • Chemistry: Structure and properties of atoms, bonding in molecules, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, physical and chemical properties of compound, chemistry of organic compounds, Instrumental techniques.
  • Mathematics: Statistics, Probability, Differentiation, Calculus, Trignomtery etc.
  • Physics: Units and measurements, Laws of motion, current electricity, work and kinetic energy, magnetism, reflection and rarefaction, what is Ohm's law, waves optics, lenses, etc.

IIT JAM 2026 Subject-wise Syllabus PDF

Candidates must go through the following PDFs to download IIT JAM 2026 Syllabus for all subjects. 

Candidates can check the subject-wise JAM syllabus from the previous year:

IIT JAM Previous Year Question Paper

Going through JAM previous years' question papers will help the test takers in analysing the type of questions they need to prepare from the mentioned JAM Syllabus 2026. The complete JAM 2026 preparation depends on how meticulously a candidate covers IIT JAM 2026 syllabus and understands how these topics are asked in the JAM previous years' question papers.

Candidates can check IIT JAM master question paper and JAM 2025 answer key from below:

IIT JAM 2025 Master Question Paper

IIT JAM 2025 Answer Key

Biotechnology Question Paper

Final Answer Key

Economics Question Paper

Final Answer key

Geology Question Paper

Final Answer Key

Mathematics Question Paper

Final Answer Key

Candidates can check out the last 5 years subject-wise IIT JAM previous years question paper from here: JAM Previous Years Question Paper: Check Year Wise Question Paper PDF Here 

Also Read: IIT JAM 2026 exam centres

IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key

IIT JAM answer key 2026 has not been released yet. The provisional answer key will be released in February 2026. And then the final answer key will be released in March 2026. Students will be able to download the JAM answer key from the website by logging in using their credentials, like username and password.

IIT JAM 2026 Cut off

As the JAM 2026 exam is yet to commence, candidates can go through the previous year JAM cut off for reference:

Subject Paper

GEN

OBC-NCL / EWS

SC / ST / PwD

Biotechnology

24.46

22.01

12.23

Chemistry

25.83

23.24

12.91

Economics

42.55

38.29

21.27

Geology

21.06

18.95

10.53

Mathematics

19.9

17.91

9.95

Mathematical Statistics

8.75

7.87

4.37

Physics

14.66

13.19

7.33

The students who want to pursue MSc degree from top institutes shall participate in IIT JAM 2026 exam. Top institutions such as and NIT provides quality education, builds a strong foundation & boosts creativity in a great working environment.

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