IIT JAM 2026: Registration (Sep 5), Exam Date, Admit Card, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Latest Updates

The IIT JAM application form 2026 was released on September 5, 2025, at @jam2026.iitb.ac.in. The official notification for the IIT JAM exam 2026 was released by the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. Students will be able to fill out the IIT JAM registration form 2026 till October 12, 2025. Students must register at the JOAPS portal (JAM Online Application Processing System) to complete the registration process.

For 2026, IIT Bombay will be administering the IIT JAM 2026 exam, or the Indian Institute of Technology Joint Admission Test for Master's. Students will be offered admission to courses such as MSc and Integrated PhD at various IITs, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), through this national-level examination. Students can refer to the official IIT JAM 2026 information brochure here to go through the IIT JAM 2026 eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, schedule, etc.

IIT JAM is a national‐level computer‑based test for admission to postgraduate science programmes like MSc, MSc-Ph.D., and other dual‑degree options at IITs and IISc. The exam covers subjects such as Biotechnology, Chemistry, Economics, Geology, Mathematical Statistics, Mathematics, and Physics. 

Continue reading for all the latest updates on IIT JAM exam 2026, including registration process, dates, eligibility, and more.

Check the IIT JAM exam 2026 highlights in the table below:

IIT JAM exam 2026 is a national-level entrance exam administered annually by various IITs. The Joint Admission Test for M.Sc. (JAM) is a rotational examination administered throughout India by the IITs and IISc. Premier institutes across the country use IIT JAM exam score to admit students to various postgraduate programmes such as MSc, MSc (Tech), MS (Research), MSc - M.Tech, Dual Degree, Joint MSc - PhD, and MSc - PhD Dual Degree across multiple disciplines. 

Candidates must check the important dates for the IIT JAM exam 2026 so that they never miss any updates or events for the JAM 2026 exam. IIT JAM 2026 important dates are provided below in the table:

IIT JAM 2026 Application form was released by IIT Bombay on September 5, 2025. To fill out the IIT JAM online application form, the students have to register on the JAM Online Application Processing System (JOAPS). The last date to register for the IIT JAM 2026 exam is October 12, 2025.

How to Apply for IIT JAM 2026

 IIT JAM application form is divided into four sections-  i) Registration on the JOAPS (JAM Online Application Processing System),  ii) Filling Out the IIT Application Form, iii) Documents Upload, and iv) Application Payment. Check the steps to fill out the IIT JAM online application form below:

Step 1: Register on JOAPS @jam2026.iitb.ac.in 

The first step to filling out the IIT JAM application form is registration on the JOAPS (JAM Online Application Processing System). Candidates need to register themselves on the JOAPS website online. The steps to make the registration are given below:

• Go to the official website- jam2026.iitb.ac.in
• Click on the JOAPS link available on the screen or Click on the candidate portal available on  the screen 
• The registration form will appear on the screen 
• Fill out the personal details like name, email address, mobile number
• Create a password for the candidate’s login 
• Confirm the password 
• Answer the arithmetic equation as CAPTCHA code
• Click on the ‘check-in’ box
• Click on the ‘Submit’ button
• Verify the mobile number and email ID and move forward with the IIT JAM application form 

Step 2: Fill out the IIT JAM 2026 Application Form

The second step to filling out the IIT JAM application form is to fill in the details in the application form. Check the details in the IIT JAM application form below:

• Fill out the exam details in the application form like the name of the test paper(s). Candidates who want to appear for the two test papers must ensure that both papers are conducted in two different shifts. 
• Select the test centres as per the order of preference in the second step in the application form
• Fill out the personal details in the next step like the father’s name, mother’s name, gender, category, date of birth, etc. The candidate's name, mobile number, and email ID will be fetched from the registration form
• Fill in the correspondence and permanent address
• In the next step, the candidate has to fill out the educational details like name of the qualifying degree, year of passing, marks obtained, etc

Step 3: Upload Documents to IIT JAM Application Form 2026

The candidates have to upload the photograph, signature, and tenth mark sheet PDF as documents in the IIT JAM form 2026. The steps to upload documents in the IIT JAM application form are given below:

• Go to the official website: jam2026.iitb.ac.in
• Click on the ‘Apply Online’ button 
• Log in to the existing account or create the account for filling out the IIT JAM application form 
• Move forward to the ‘Upload Document’ tab 

• Click on the photograph/signature/tenth mark sheet tab
• Browse the photograph/signature/tenth mark sheet on the computer 
• Select the photograph/signature/mark sheet
• Click on the Open button (if the specifications are correct according to the prescribed format)
• The photograph/signature/mark sheet will be uploaded to the IIT JAM 2026 application form

Step 4: Pay the IIT JAM 2026 Application Fee

In the last stage of the IIT JAM application process, the candidates have to pay the application fees for the IIT JAM exam.

• Pay the IIT JAM 2026 registration fees by using any payment mode like- UPI, internet banking, credit card, debit card, etc.

Candidates can check the category-wise application fee for the IIT JAM 2026 in the table below:

IIT JAM application correction window 2026 will open tentatively in November 2025. Candidates who submit their IIT JAM application form before the deadline will be able to make changes to their information. Gender, category, PWD status, and exam centre are all editable details. IIT JAM 2026 correction window will only open for two to three days, so applicants were advised to make the necessary changes to their application form before the deadline.

Corrections Allowed in IIT JAM Application Form 2026 

The conducting authorities allow correction in the IIT JAM application form to the specific sections. Check the corrections allowed to the IIT JAM application form 2026 below:

• Add/change Test Papers
• Change of data related to Exam City
• Gender
• Category
• PwD/Dyslexic status
• Candidate’s Name
• DOB
• Parent’s/Guardian’s Name
• University/College Name
• Year of Graduation
• Marks/CGPA

Check the minimum eligibility criteria for the IIT JAM 2026 before proceeding to fill out JAM online application form 2026. Students willing too appear for the exam can check eligibility criteria below:

• Must hold a bachelor’s degree. However, the final year appearing students can apply for the IIT JAM 2026 exam though they have to submit their mark sheet by September 2026 
• To be eligible for admission, the student needs to qualify for the exam. Earlier in 2021, the cut-off marks for the General category students were 55 percent marks, whereas other category students had to secure a minimum of 50 percent marks to clear the cut-off. This process has been relaxed, and the students just need to qualify for the IIT JAM 2026 exam to get enrolled in the courses
• The student who will qualify for the IIT JAM 2026 exam will become eligible to apply for the application process

IIT JAM 2026 eligibility criteria are listed below by category:

IIT JAM 2026 admit card will be available for download on January 5, 2026 (tentative), for applicants who have completed the application process and paid the required fee. Those planning to take the IIT JAM exam 2026 should make sure to download their admit card well in advance of the scheduled exam date. On exam day, it is required that you bring your admit card to IIT JAM exam centre. IIT JAM 2026 admit card includes important personal and exam-related information like the name of the student, subjects chosen by the applicant, IIT JAM 2026 exam venue address & code, registration number, candidate’s photograph & signature etc. 

The steps listed below must be taken to download the IIT JAM 2026 admit card:

Step 1: Visit the official website of IIT JAM 2026 exam.

Step 2: Click on the IIT JAM 2026 admit card link mentioned on the homepage.

Step 3: Enter the registered credentials.

Step 4: Click on ‘Login’.

Step 5: Select the admit card, verify the details & download the IIT JAM 2026 exam admit card PDF.

Step 6: Take a few printouts for future reference.

Check the updates JAM 2026 exam centre list below - 

The candidates who are preparing for IIT JAM 2026 exam must know the exam pattern. JAM will be conducted for seven papers including Physics, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Geology, Economics, Mathematics, and Mathematical Statistics. Each of these papers will comprise 100 questions which need to be completed within 3 hours. Check the IIT JAM 2026 exam pattern in the table below:

Check IIT JAM syllabus 2026 before start preparing for the exam. IIT JAM syllabus is divided into 7 subjects. Check the subject-wise syllabus for the IIT JAM 2026 exam in the table below:

Given below is the list of colleges participating in IIT JAM 2026 exam and accepting IIT JAM 2026 exam scores are:

Having the best books while preparing for IIT JAM exam 2026 is the most important thing. Students can find the best books for IIT JAM 2026 by using these tips. 

• Go with the latest IIT JAM 2026 book edition. 
• Get the books that have IIT JAM 2026 exam previous years' papers. 
• Find the best publication books and the best author that contains all the syllabus and chapters. 

IIT JAM 2026 exam previous year’s papers are valuable study materials for students preparing for the Joint Admission Test for MSc (IIT JAM) 2026. IIT JAM question papers includes actual questions from previous years exams, giving aspirants a glimpse of IIT JAM 2026 exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level. By solving IIT JAM previous years papers, students can assess their strengths and weaknesses, and identify topics they need to focus on. It is an effective way to enhance preparation and increase the chances of achieving a good score in IIT JAM 2026 exam.

IIT JAM mock test will be available on IIT Bombay's official website, jam2026.iitb.ac.in. Taking this IIT JAM 2026 mock test allows candidates to familiarise themselves with the exam format and navigation scheme, as well as better prepare for the exam. IIT JAM 2026 mock tests are the best way to prepare for IIT JAM 2026 exam. The JAM mock test is for all 7 subjects and will be made available by the conducting body for aspirants.

We recommend all the aspirants take the IIT JAM exam 2026 mock tests as many times as possible for a better understanding of the questions and exam pattern. The mock tests for IIT JAM 2026 exam are easily available on the website to everyone, as no login credentials are required for attempting mock tests. IIT JAM 2026 mock test helps the applicants to get familiar with the online IIT JAM 2026 exam pattern and prepare for the actual exam.

To take the mock test of IIT JAM, follow these steps:

• Visit the IIT JAM 2026 website.
• Click on the "Mock Test" tab.
• Choose your subject.
• Click "Sign In".
• Read the instructions and then select "Next".
• Tick the box to indicate that you have read and understood the instructions, then click the "I am ready to begin" tab.
• Take the IIT JAM 2026 Mock Test.

IIT JAM 2026 exam is an important exam for students who want to study post-graduation programs from IITs. Every year lakhs of students appear for the IIT JAM exam 2026 every year and it gets difficult to compete with the aspirants. However, if you want to rank among the top students, you will require a lot of dedication, consistency, and IIT JAM 2026 preparation tips. The aspirants can follow the IIT JAM 2026 preparation tips that our experts suggested to follow during the exam preparation. 

• The first IIT JAM preparation tip in order to get ready for the IIT JAM 2026 exam is to know the exam pattern, IIT JAM syllabus, and best books for the exam 
• The second tip for IIT JAM 2026 exam preparation is to understand the marks division for IIT JAM 2026 and make a study strategy accordingly
• Mock tests are a way to excel in any exam, so solve the IIT JAM 2026 mock test as much as you can to get excellent results in exams
• Go through the previous years' papers for IIT JAM 2026 exam
• Make a list of the topics that you excel at and are not good with. This will help you to focus on the topics according to your expertise

IIT JAM 2026 shift 1 and shift 2 exam analysis will be updated on this page. Students can understand types of questions asked, topic-wise weighage, and level of difficulty level from the JAM paper analysis.  Based on the subject-wise analysis, we will provide details in the table below:

IIT JAM 2026 - Shift 1

IIT JAM 2026 - Shift 2

IIT Bombay will release IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key (Provisional) a few days after the exam, along with the response sheet. You can challenge the provisional IIT JAM 2026 answer key if you find any discrepancies. The final IIT JAM 2026 exam answer keys will be released alongside the IIT JAM 2026 results.

IIT JAM 2026 results will be released by the exam's conducting authority tentatively on March 20, 2025. Candidates must check their IIT JAM 2026 results only on the official website, as no scorecards or results will be sent to them. The All India Rank (AIR) is assigned based on IIT JAM 2026 exam scores. Candidates can access their IIT JAM 2026 exam results and scorecards through the website. The IIT JAM 2026 exam scorecard includes the candidates' AIR and subject-wise marks. The IIT JAM 2026 exam conducting body prepares a separate merit list for GEN/OBC/SC/ST/PWD candidates based on their performance in the IIT JAM exam 2026 for each test paper. Further, based on the number of seats available in each subject and the candidate's rank, the IIT JAM exam 2026 merit list is created.

IIT JAM 2026 cutoff will be released after the declaration of the results. The cutoffs for all participating IITs will be available on the JOAPS portal. The opening rank refers to the lowest rank, and the closing rank refers to the highest rank required for admission to a particular program. These ranks also determine the order in which admission offers are extended to students. To determine your chances of admission, you can check the IIT JAM opening and closing ranks for your desired IIT and program for that year. IIT JAM 2026 cut-off will be announced separately for each category and course, and it will also vary depending on the subject.

To prepare for the IIT JAM 2026 exam, candidates must look over previous years' cut-offs to determine the required marks. Candidates can refer to the previous year's cut-offs, which are provided below.

IIT JAM 2026 merit list shows the marks and ranks of students based on their performance in the Joint Admission Test for MSc. This list decides the admission sequence for various MSc programs offered by IITs and IISc. Securing a high rank in the IIT JAM 2026 merit list is important for aspirants as it directly impacts their chances of getting admission to their preferred course and institute. 

IIT JAM 2026 results will be released on March 20, 2026, after the release of final answer keys. Students declared qualified must apply for counselling conducted at the JOAPS portal. Candidates must fill out the admission form to participate within the given timeline. After each round of counselling, IIT JAM 2026 cutoffs will be released. Those locking their choices must pay the required course fee and confirm admission. 

Fig 1: IIT JAM Admission Process 

IIT JAM 2026 counselling will be conducted by IIT Bombay through a Centralised Admission Process (CAP) for all participating Indian Institutes of Technology. Students are required to fill out IIT JAM 2026 exam counselling application form by visiting the official website. They can also check their admission status online on the same portal. Students are selected based on their merit in the IIT JAM 2026 exam. The admission counselling process usually consists of four rounds, but additional rounds may be conducted if seats remain vacant in any course.

IIT JAM 2026 Topper List will be released after the exam results are announced. IIT Bombay will publish the JAM 2026 toppers list on its official website. Meanwhile, candidates can check the previous year's toppers list for each subject in the following table. 

In addition to IIT JAM 2026, there are other national-level competitive exams like NEST, JEST, GSAT, and ICAR AIEEA that candidates can consider. These exams also open doors to M.Sc. or integrated research programmes in various science disciplines. Pursuing an MSc degree through any of these exams can deepen your knowledge in your chosen field and offer opportunities for careers in research, laboratory work, or academia in both public and private sectors.