IIT JAM 2026

IIT JAM 2026 (Joint Admission Test for Masters) is a national-level Computer-Based Test conducted by IIT Bombay for admission to M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree, and other postgraduate science programs at 22 IITs, IISc Bengaluru, 20 NITs, and other centrally funded institutes. The exam was held on February 15, 2026, the result was declared in March, and the counselling process is now underway through JOAPS — with the 2nd Admission List released today, June 8, 2026.

• 3rd Admission List: The 3rd JOAPS admission round is scheduled for June 16, 2026. Candidates who selected Float in Round 2 remain eligible for a higher-preference seat. In previous years, round 3 saw significant movement in Mathematics and Physics programs at newer IITs.

• 4th Admission List: The 4th and final regular admission round is scheduled for June 27, 2026. After this round, candidates must either Freeze their allotment or exit the process.

• Additional Round: An additional counselling round is planned for July 3, 2026, if seats remain unfilled after all four main rounds. This round applies only to programs with vacancies.

• Offer Letter Download: Candidates who complete the admission process will be able to download their offer letter from July 9, 2026 on the JOAPS portal. This letter is required for joining formalities at the allotted institute.

What is IIT JAM 2026?

IIT JAM stands for Joint Admission Test for Masters. It is a national-level entrance test conducted jointly by the IITs and IISc Bengaluru on rotation. IIT Bombay is the organizing institute for JAM 2026. The exam gives science graduates access to M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree, and other postgraduate science programs at 22 IITs, IISc, 20 NITs, IISERs, and several other centrally funded technical institutes (CFTIs).

IIT JAM 2026 was held on February 15, 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. More than 75,000 candidates registered across seven test papers — Biotechnology, Chemistry, Economics, Geology, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics, and Physics. Each paper is 3 hours long, carries 100 marks, and has 60 questions across three sections.

One important thing to understand about JAM: qualifying the exam only makes you eligible for admissions. It does not automatically give you a seat. After the result, qualified candidates must apply separately through the JOAPS portal, fill their program preferences, and go through a multi-round seat allotment process. For NITs, a separate application through CCMN is required.

IIT JAM 2026 Latest Updates: 2nd Admission Round Live Today

The IIT JAM 2026 2nd Admission List was released today, June 8, 2026, on the JOAPS portal. This is the second of four regular rounds in the centralized counselling process managed by IIT Bombay for admissions at IITs and IISc.

If you were not allotted a seat in the 1st Admission Round (May 25, 2026), or if you had chosen Float after Round 1, you should log in to JOAPS immediately and check your allotment status for Round 2.

Candidates allotted a seat in the 2nd Admission List must pay the acceptance fee by the specified deadline. Failing to pay on time will cancel your allotment, and you will not be able to reclaim it.

After seeing your Round 2 allotment, you have three options:

• Freeze: Accept the allotted seat and exit all further rounds. Your seat is locked once you pay the fee.

• Float / Upgrade: Accept the current seat but remain in the running for a higher-preference program in Round 3. You will not lose this seat if the upgrade does not come through.

• Reject / Quit: Reject the allotment and permanently exit the JOAPS counselling process. This action cannot be reversed.

Round 3 is scheduled for June 16, 2026. Round 4 follows on June 27, 2026. An additional round, if needed, is planned for July 3, 2026. The final offer letter download opens July 9, 2026.

IIT JAM 2026 Important Dates

Here is the complete IIT JAM 2026 event schedule. Upcoming events appear first. Past events are marked (Over).

Source: jam2026.iitb.ac.in — IIT JAM 2026 Important Dates

IIT JAM 2026 Syllabus: All 7 Test Papers

IIT JAM 2026 has 7 test papers, each with its own syllabus. You should pick the paper that matches your Bachelor’s degree subject. Here is a high-level overview of the syllabus for each paper.

Physics (PH)

• Mathematical Methods: Vector analysis, Linear algebra, Differential equations, Fourier series

• Mechanics and General Properties of Matter: Newton’s laws, Gravitational law, Rigid body dynamics

• Oscillations, Waves, and Optics: Simple harmonic motion, Superposition, Interference, Diffraction, Polarization

• Electricity and Magnetism: Coulomb’s law, Gauss’s law, Electromagnetic induction, Maxwell’s equations

• Kinetic Theory and Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, Boltzmann distribution, Carnot cycle

• Modern Physics: Photoelectric effect, Bohr’s model, de Broglie hypothesis, Nuclear physics basics

• Solid State Physics, Devices, and Electronics: Crystal structure, Band theory, Semiconductors, Logic gates

Chemistry (CY)

• Physical Chemistry: Atomic and Molecular Structure, Gaseous and Liquid States, Solid State, Chemical Thermodynamics, Chemical Equilibrium, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Adsorption, Spectroscopy

• Organic Chemistry: Basic Concepts and Stereochemistry, Reaction Mechanisms, Synthetic Applications, Aromatic and Heterocyclic Chemistry, Natural Products Chemistry, Qualitative Analysis

• Inorganic Chemistry: Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, s-Block and p-Block Elements, d-Block and f-Block Elements, Coordination Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Instrumental Methods of Analysis

Mathematics (MA)

• Real Analysis: Sequences and series of real numbers, Functions of one variable (continuity, differentiability, integration), Functions of two or three real variables

• Integral Calculus: Line and surface integrals, Green’s, Stokes’, and Gauss’s theorems

• Differential Equations: Ordinary and partial differential equations

• Linear Algebra: Matrices, determinants, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues

• Abstract Algebra: Groups, rings, fields, and their basic properties

Biotechnology (BT)

• Biology: Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Evolution, Ecology and Environment

• Applied Biotechnology: Microbiology, Plant Biology, Animal Biology, Reproductive Biology

• Biotechniques: Biochemical methods, Microscopy techniques, Molecular biology methods, Computational biology, Instrumental techniques (PCR, gel electrophoresis, chromatography)

• Selected topics from Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics at the Bachelor’s level

Economics (EN)

• Microeconomics: Consumer theory, Production and costs, General equilibrium, Market structures, Game theory, Public goods and externalities

• Macroeconomics: National income accounting, Business cycles, Open and closed economy models, IS-LM model, Inflation and unemployment, Economic growth theories

• Statistics: Probability theory, Statistical distributions, Hypothesis testing, Correlation and regression analysis

• Indian Economy: Economic planning, Post-1991 reforms, Public finance, Labour market, Inequality

• Mathematics: Calculus, Differential equations, Linear algebra, Optimization techniques

Geology (GG)

• The Planet Earth: Origin, age, internal structure, continental drift, plate tectonics

• Geomorphology: Weathering, mass wasting, river systems, glacial and coastal landforms

• Structural Geology: Stress, strain, folds, faults, joints, unconformities

• Palaeontology: Fossils, evolutionary trends, biostratigraphy

• Stratigraphy: Stratigraphic principles, major geological formations of India

• Mineralogy and Petrology: Crystal systems, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic petrology

• Economic and Applied Geology: Mineral deposits, groundwater, engineering geology

Mathematical Statistics (MS)

• Mathematics component: Sequences and series, Differential and integral calculus (one and two variables), Matrices and determinants

• Statistics component: Descriptive statistics, Probability theory (axioms, conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem), Univariate and multivariate distributions, Central Limit Theorem, Sampling distributions, Point and interval estimation, Hypothesis testing (t, chi-square, F tests), Nonparametric tests, Stochastic processes

IIT JAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria

IIT JAM has straightforward eligibility requirements. You should check your eligibility against the specific test paper and the program you want to apply to before registering.

Important: IIT Bombay does NOT verify eligibility at the application stage. Eligibility is checked by the admitting institute at the time of joining. If you are found ineligible, your admission will be cancelled — even after seat acceptance. Always verify your eligibility carefully before applying.

Subject-wise Qualification Requirement for Each Test Paper

Each JAM test paper requires a specific Bachelor’s degree background. A few examples:

• Physics (PH): B.Sc. (Physics) with Mathematics as a main subject up to at least 2 years

• Chemistry (CY): B.Sc. (Chemistry) with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level

• Mathematics (MA): B.Sc. with Mathematics as a main subject for at least 2 years

• Biotechnology (BT): B.Sc. in any life science or B.E./B.Tech. in Biotechnology or allied streams

• Economics (EN): Bachelor’s degree with Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics as subjects

• Geology (GG): B.Sc. (Geology / Earth Sciences) or related degree with relevant content

• Mathematical Statistics (MS): Bachelor’s degree with both Mathematics and Statistics as main subjects

Always check the detailed subject-wise eligibility in the official brochure at jam2026.iitb.ac.in — the brochure specifies the exact percentage of marks required in different subjects of the qualifying degree.

IIT JAM 2026 Application Process and Fees

IIT JAM 2026 registrations opened on September 5, 2025 and closed on October 20, 2025 (after an extension). All applications were submitted online through JOAPS at jam2026.iitb.ac.in. There is no offline application process for IIT JAM.

Steps to Apply for IIT JAM

• Step 1 — Registration: Create an account on JOAPS with your name, email, and mobile number. You receive an Enrolment ID on registration.

• Step 2 — Fill Application Form: Log in and fill personal details, qualifying degree information, and category details.

• Step 3 — Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph (colour, passport size), signature, date of birth proof, and category certificate (OBC-NCL / EWS / SC / ST / PwD if applicable).

• Step 4 — Choose Exam City and Test Paper: Select up to 3 exam city preferences. Choose 1 or 2 test papers (maximum 2, both must be in different shifts).

• Step 5 — Pay Fee and Submit: Pay the application fee online through net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. Submit the form and note your Enrolment ID.

• Step 6 — Track Application Status: Log in to JOAPS to track your status — it moves from Received to Under Scrutiny to Accepted (or Defect/Rejected if documents are missing).

IIT JAM 2026 Application Fee

Note: Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances. Only one application per candidate is allowed even if you appear in two papers. Any duplicate application will be rejected.

IIT JAM 2026 Admit Card

IIT JAM 2026 admit card was released on January 5, 2026. Candidates downloaded it from the JOAPS portal by logging in with their Enrolment ID and password. No physical admit card was sent by post or courier — only online download was available.

Details Printed on the IIT JAM 2026 Admit Card

• Candidate’s name and photograph

• Enrolment ID

• Exam centre name and full address

• Test paper code and name

• Exam date (February 15, 2026) and shift (morning or afternoon)

• Reporting time and gate closing time

• Important instructions for exam day

Documents Required at the Exam Centre

• Printed copy of the admit card (colour or black and white)

• One original, valid government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar card, PAN card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence

• Additional passport-size photographs as specified in the admit card instructions

Candidates without a valid admit card and matching photo ID were not permitted inside the exam hall. No duplicate admit card was issued at the centre. Electronic devices including mobile phones were not allowed inside the exam venue.

Institutes Accepting IIT JAM 2026 Score

IIT JAM 2026 score opens doors to 22 IITs, IISc Bengaluru, 20 NITs (through CCMN), IISERs, and several other centrally funded technical institutes. In all, more than 100 programs across these institutions consider JAM scores for PG science admissions in 2026–27.

22 IITs Offering Admission Through JAM 2026

Other Institutes Accepting IIT JAM 2026 Score

• IISc Bengaluru: M.Sc. (Research) programs in various science disciplines; admission through JOAPS

• 20 NITs: Admission through CCMN — includes NIT Calicut, NIT Warangal, NIT Rourkela, NIT Surathkal, Motilal Nehru NIT Allahabad, Malaviya NIT Jaipur, NIT Durgapur, NIT Jamshedpur, and more

• IISERs: Selected Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research accept JAM scores

• IIEST Shibpur: Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur

• IIPE Visakhapatnam: Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy

• JNCASR Bengaluru: Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research

• SLIET Longowal: Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology

For IITs and IISc, apply through JOAPS at jam2026.iitb.ac.in. For NITs and CFTIs, visit the CCMN portal separately. Each institute has its own intake capacity, program-wise. IITs alone offer 89 postgraduate programs for the 2026–27 batch across these 22 institutes.

IIT JAM Preparation Tips

IIT JAM 2026 is over, but if you are planning to appear for JAM 2027, here are proven strategies to prepare effectively for this exam.

Start with the Official Syllabus and Exam Pattern

Download the official syllabus PDF for your chosen test paper from the IIT JAM website before opening any study material. The syllabus tells you exactly what topics are in scope. The exam pattern tells you how marks are distributed — this is critical because Section A carries negative marking, while Sections B and C do not. Your strategy for each section must be different.

Master Section A — Negative Marking Strategy

Section A has 30 MCQ questions worth 50 marks and carries negative marking. A wrong 2-mark answer costs 2/3 of a mark. If you attempt 30 questions and get 10 wrong, you lose the equivalent of nearly 7 marks from your raw score. You should only attempt MCQs where you are at least 70% confident. Skip questions you are guessing.

Maximize Section B and C — Attempt All Questions

Section B (MSQ) and Section C (NAT) have no negative marking. You should attempt every question in these sections. In Section B, remember that partial credit is not available — you must select all correct options to get the 2 marks. Do not leave MSQs blank — even a partially correct guess costs you nothing.

Use Standard University-Level Textbooks

• Physics: Irodov (Problems), Griffiths (Electrodynamics), Krane (Modern Physics), H.C. Verma for basics

• Mathematics: Rudin (Real Analysis), Artin or Herstein (Abstract Algebra), Gilbert Strang (Linear Algebra)

• Chemistry: Atkins (Physical), Morrison Boyd (Organic), Shriver & Atkins (Inorganic)

• Biotechnology: Lehninger (Biochemistry), Alberts (Cell Biology), Lewin (Genes) for the Biology component

Solve Previous Year Papers — Non-Negotiable

Solve at least the last 5 years of previous year papers for your chosen subject. IIT JAM has a consistent question style — certain types of questions appear repeatedly. Previous year papers also help you understand the difficulty level and the kind of numerical calculations expected in Section C.

Take Full-Length Mock Tests Under Exam Conditions

IIT Bombay releases an official practice test (demo test) on the JOAPS portal before the exam each year. Use this to get comfortable with the CBT interface. Also take full 3-hour mock tests regularly — at least twice a week in the final two months. Time management is a real challenge in JAM, especially in papers like Physics and Mathematics where NAT questions can be calculation-heavy.

Know the Realistic Score Target

The qualifying cutoff is between 12 and 43 marks depending on the subject. But to get into top programs at IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, or IIT Madras, you typically need to be in the top 100–200 ranks — which in most papers means scoring above 60–70 marks. Check the JOAPS closing rank data for previous years to set program-specific targets. Your preparation target should be your program cutoff, not the qualifying cutoff.