IIT JAM Eligibility Criteria 2026: Check Age Limit, Marks Required, Course-Wise Minimum Qualifications

Updated By Himani Daryani on 01 Sep, 2025 11:30

Registration Starts On September 05, 2025

Get IIT JAM eligibility criteria 2026, which include the minimum qualifications and a certain age that applicants must fulfil before applying for the JAM 2026 Exam. One can know about the IIT JAM Eligibility 2026, including the age limit, subject requirements, and more, from here!

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IIT JAM Eligibility Criteria 2026

IIT JAM Eligibility Criteria 2026: If you're aiming to sit for IIT JAM 2026 exam, it is important to understand the eligibility criteria before starting the application process. For the academic year 2026-27, IIT Bombay is the organizing institute, and JAM 2026 application form will be released on September 05, 2025. The last date to apply online is October 12, 2025.

The exact eligiblity criteria for IIT JAM 2026 has been released through the information brochure. To be eligible for IIT JAM 2026, you should have a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. If you are currently in the final year of undergraduate education, you can still apply, provided you submit all proofs of qualification by September 2025. Also, there will be no age limit to take the exam.

Direct Link: IIT JAM 2026 Information Brochure(activated)

IIT Bombay has also set some marks requirements to be eligible for IIT JAM 2026 exam. You will need to have at least 55% overall marks or a CGPA of 5.5 out of 10 if you belong to the General, OBC-NCL, or EWS categories. For SC, ST, and PwD students, the minimum requirement will be 50% marks or a CGPA of 5.0 out of 10. Keep reading if you want to know more about IIT JAM eligiblity 2026, age limit, marks required, and course wise minimum educational qualifications set by authorities. 

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IIT JAM Eligibility Criteria 2026 Overview

You can check the highlights of IIT JAM eligibility criteria 2026 below:

  • You must hold a bachelor’s degree to appear for IIT JAM 2026.
  • If you are in the final year of your bachelor’s degree, you can also appear for JAM 2026 exam. However, you need to submit your final bachelor’s degree results by September 2025.
  • You have to qualify in IIT JAM 2026 exam to be eligible for the admission process.
  • You will need to submit a physical fitness certificate from a registered practitioner to the authority. You must go through a physical fitness test conducted by a medical board set up by the admitting institute. If you are not eligible to pursue a science degree, you will not be enrolled.

Also Read: IIT JAM Syllabus 2026

Colleges Accepting Exam IIT JAM :

IIT JAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit

There is no age limit to appear for  IIT JAM 2026 exam. However, you have to fulfill the education qualification and subject requirements to be eligible for IIT JAM 2026 exam.

IIT JAM Eligibility 2026: Medical Criteria

  • Students with Uni-ocularity and/or color blindness are not eligible to apply.

  • For doing fieldwork, students in the PwD category should be able to walk without any assistance.

Note: If a candidate is found to have furnished wrong details, the admitting institute has the authority to cancel the admission at any time.

IIT JAM Eligibility Criteria 2026: Nationality

According to the general IIT JAM eligibility criteria 2026, Indian and foreign national candidates can apply for the exam. However, the foreign nationals will need to satisfy the rules and regulations of the Admitting Institute(s) related to foreign students

IIT JAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Minimum Educational Qualification (MEQ)

You are required to fulfill IIT JAM eligibility criteria 2026 (MEQ) to fill out the application form. If you are unable to fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria, you might not be considered for the admission process or your candidature can be cancelled at any stage. Check the IIT JAM minimum educational qualifications for IIT JAM 2026 in the table below:

Test Paper (Code)

Course

Minimum Educational Qualifications for Admission

IIT JAM Eligibility 2026 Biotechnology

Biotechnology (BT)

MSc Biotechnology/Bioscience and Bioengineering/Molecular Medicine/Biological Sciences

Any branch/ subject

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering

Any one of Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics for two years/ four semesters, and any one of the other four subjects for at least one year/ two semesters

IIT JAM Eligibility 2026 Chemistry

Chemistry (CY)

MSc Chemistry

Chemistry for three years/six semesters

Joint MSc- PhD in Chemistry

Joint MSc- PhD in Nuclear Medicine

BSc/ BS degree (three years/ six semesters) with Chemistry as Honours/ Major/ Main Subject, Mathematics as compulsory one subsidiary subject and Physics/ Biology as another subsidiary subject for at least two years/ four semesters

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering

Any one of Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics for two years/four semesters, and any one of the other four subjects for at least one year/two semesters

Joint MSc- PhD in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

Mathematics and Physics with any one of these subjects among Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Application, Geology and Statistics

IIT JAM Eligibility 2026 Geology

Geology (GG)

MSc Applied Geology

Geology for three years/six semesters and any two subjects among Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biological Science

Joint MSc- PhD in Geophysics

Geology as a subject for three years/six semesters and any two subjects among Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry

Joint MSc- PhD in Geology

Joint MSc- PhD in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

Mathematics and Physics and any one of these subjects among Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Application, Geology and Statistics

MSc (Tech) in Applied Geology*

BSc degree (3 year) with Geology as Honours/ Major/ Main/ Equivalent subject and any two subsidiary subjects from Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry

IIT JAM Eligibility 2026 Economics

Economics (EN)

MSc in Economics

Any Bachelor’s degree (BA/ BSc/ BCom/ BStat/ BMath/ BTech/ BE or equivalent). The bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification obtained by the candidate must entail a minimum of three years of education after completing higher secondary schooling 

IIT JAM Eligibility 2026 Mathematics

Mathematics (MA)

MSc Mathematics

Mathematics for at least two years/ four semesters

MSc Mathematics / Applied Mathematics and Computing

MSc Mathematics/ Mathematics and Computing

MSc Mathematics and Computing

Joint MSc- PhD in Mathematics

Mathematics/Statistics as a subject for at least two years/four semesters

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Operations Research

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering

Any one of Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics for two years/four semesters, and any one of the other four subjects for at least one year/two semesters.

Joint MSc- PhD in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

Mathematics and Physics and any one of these subjects among Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Application, Geology and Statistics

Mathematical Statistics (MS)

MSc Applied Statistics and Informatics

Mathematics or Statistics for at least two years/ four semesters

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Operations Research

MSc Statistics

Statistics for at least two years/ four semesters

Joint MSc- PhD in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

Mathematics and Physics and any one of these subjects among Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Application, Geology and Statistics

Physics (PH)

MSc Physics

Physics for at least two years/four semesters and Mathematics for at least one year/two semesters

Joint MSc- PhD in Physics

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Physics

MSc Applied Geophysics

Physics and Mathematics/Mathematical Physics for two years/four semesters and at least one of them as subject for three years/six semesters

Joint MSc- PhD in Medical Physics

BSc/ BS degree (3 years/ 6 semesters) with Physics as Honours/ Major/ Main Subject, Mathematics as compulsory one subsidiary subject and Chemistry/Biology as another subsidiary subject for at least two years/ four semesters

MSc Astronomy

Physics/ Mathematics / Computer Science Engineering, Electrical Engineering / Mechanical Engineering

Joint MSc- PhD in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

Mathematics and Physics and any one of these subjects among Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Application, Geology and Statistics

Joint MSc- PhD in Geophysics

Geology/Physics as a subject for three years/six semesters and any two subjects among Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering

Any one of Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics for two years/four semesters, and any one of the other four subjects for at least one year/two semesters

MSc (Tech) in Applied Geophysics

BSc Degree (3 yr) with Physics as Honours/ Major/ Main/ Equivalent subject, Mathematics as a subsidiary subject for 2 years/4 semesters and another subsidiary subject from Chemistry, Geology, Electronics, and Statistics for 1 year/ 2 semesters.

Check IIT JAM Exam Pattern 2026

IIT JAM Eligibility 2026: Subject Specification

You have to fulfill the subject requirement to appear for the IIT JAM 2026. Check the IIT JAM subject requirement 2026 in the table below:

Test Paper (Code)

Course

Subjects Required at Class 12th level

Biotechnology (BT)

MSc Biotechnology

No Restrictions

Joint MSc- PhD in Molecular Medical Microbiology

No Restrictions

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering

Mathematics

Chemistry (CY)

MSc Chemistry

No Restrictions/ Mathematics required in some colleges

Joint MSc- PhD in Chemistry

Mathematics

Joint MSc- PhD in Nuclear Medicine

No Restrictions

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering

Mathematics

Joint MSc- PhD in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

No Restrictions

Economics (EN)

MSc in Economics

No Restrictions

Geology (GG)

MSc Applied Geology

Mathematics

Joint MSc- PhD in Geophysics

Joint MSc- PhD in Geology

Joint MSc- PhD in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

No Restrictions

MSc(Tech) in Applied Geology*

Mathematics

Mathematics (MA)

MSc in Economics

No Restrictions

MSc Mathematics

MSc Mathematics / Applied Mathematics and Computing

MSc-MTech Dual Degree in Mathematics-Data and Computational Sciences

MSc Mathematics/ Mathematics and Computing

MSc Mathematics and Computing

Joint MSc- PhD in Mathematics

MSc Applied Mathematics

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Operations Research

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering

Mathematics

MSc Applied Mathematics

Mathematics

Joint MSc- PhD in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

No Restrictions

Mathematical Statistics (MS)

MSc Applied Statistics and Informatics

No Restrictions

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Operations Research

MSc Statistics

Joint MSc- PhD in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

Physics (PH)

MSc Physics

No Restrictions

Joint MSc- PhD in Physics

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Physics

MSc Applied Geophysics

MSc Astronomy

Joint MSc- PhD in Medical Physics

Joint MSc- PhD in Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

Joint MSc- PhD in Geophysics

Mathematics

MSc- PhD Dual Degree in Environmental Science and Engineering

MSc (Tech) in Applied Geophysics

No Restrictions

IIT JAM Reservation Criteria 2026

For the General/OBC category, the IIT JAM reservation criteria are to secure at least 55% of the marks, or 5.5 CGPA out of 10, in each year and 50% of the altogether, or 5 out of 10 CGPA, for the SC/ST category. Check IIT JAM reservation eligibility below:

IIT JAM Reservation Criteria 2026
General55% or 5.5 out of 10 CGPA
SC & ST 50% or 5.0 out of 10 CGPA

Now that you know IIT JAM eligibility criteria 2026, you can plan your next steps with confidence. Making sure you meet all the requirements early on will save you stress later and let you focus fully on preparing for the exam.

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FAQs about IIT JAM Eligibility

What is the aggregate score in qualifying exams is required for the SC/ST candidates to be eligible for the IIT JAM exam?

SC/ST candidates should have secured a minimum overall aggregate of 50% in their respective qualifying exams to be considered eligible for the IIT JAM exam.

Does the IIT JAM eligibility criteria change every year?

No major changes are made in the eligibility criteria for IIT JAM exam every year. Still, it is recommended that the candidates should go through the detailed IIT JAM eligibility criteria thoroughly to be on the safer side.

Are physically challenged candidates eligible to apply for the IIT JAM exam?

Yes, physically challenged candidates who can walk without any help can apply for the IIT JAM exam. However, colour blind candidates are not eligible to apply for IIT JAM.

Who conducts IIT JAM every year?

IIT JAM is conducted by one of the IITs and IISc Bangalore on a rotational basis every year.

Is final year graduation appearing candidate eligible for IIT JAM?

Yes, candidates pursuing their final year graduation studies are also eligible to apply for the IIT JAM exam.

What is the maximum age limit to be eligible for the IIT JAM exam?

There is no minimum and maximum age limit criteria stated by the officials to be eligible for the IIT JAM exam.

What is the difficulty level of the IIT JAM exam?

If the selection ratio is considered, then the IIT JAM is quite a difficult exam to crack.

How many times can I appear for IIT JAM?

Candidates can appear in the IIT JAM exam for as many times they want but they have to make sure they check all the boxes of the IIT JAM eligibility criteria before applying.

Are there any relaxations for the OBC category candidates applying for IIT JAM?

No, there are no relaxations in IIT JAM eligibility criteria for candidates belonging to the OBC and OBC (NCL) category candidates.

Who is eligible for the IIT JAM exam?

Bachelor’s degree holders from a recognised University/Institution with a minimum aggregate of 55% are eligible to apply for the IIT JAM exam.

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