The Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) is a postgraduate entrance exam for science students and is conducted by IITs and the IISc. It is for those who want to pursue M.Sc., Joint Ph.D. programs at top institutes like IITs, IISc Bangalore, and NITs.
In this blog you will explore all about JAM Exam 2026, exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility, dates, etc
Also check out ‘How to crack GRE in 3 months’ and ‘How to score 100+in TOEFL’
JAM Exam Overview
| Term | Full Form / Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) |
| Conducting Body | One of the IITs (rotates every year) |
| JAM Full Form | Joint Admission Test for Masters |
| Exam Level | National-level postgraduate entrance test |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
IIT JAM Exam 2026 Schedule
| Event | Tentative Date (2025–26) |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Begins | September 2025 |
| Last Date for Application | October 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | January 2026 |
| IIT JAM 2026 Exam Date | February 15, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | March 2026 |
| Admission Portal Opens | April 2026 |
Keep checking the official website for updates about the dates.
IIT JAM Eligibility Criteria 2026
Following is what the updated IIT JAM requirements are:
A) Education Qualification:
1. Bachelor’s Degree in any field.
2. Students in their final year can also apply provided they complete their degree in the given time.
B) Age Limit:
There is no age limit for applying to JAM 2026
C) Nationality:
Both Indian and Foreign students can apply
D) Admission Requirement:
It depends upon the JAM score, All India Rank (AIR), and eligibility in the chosen program at participating institutes.
IIT JAM Exam 2026 Paper Pattern
| Section | Question Type | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) | 30 | 1 or 2 | 50 |
| Section B | Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Section C | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 20 | 1 or 2 | 30 |
| Total | — | 60 Questions | — | 100 Marks |
The paper is of 3 hours, online mode (CBT) and there will be negative marking for only MCQ’s
JAM Exam Subject Codes
Every subject in the IIT JAM exam has code which is as follows:
1. Biotechnology: BT
2. Chemistry: CY
3. Economics: EN
4. Geology: GG
5. Mathematical Statistics: MS
6. Mathematics: MA
7. Physics: PH
JAM Exam 2026 Syllabus Overview
There are various sub topics in the syllabus of all the seven subjects mentioned above. You can access the detailed syllabus through this link.
JAM Exam 2026 Expected Cut-off
| Subject | General | OBC-NCL/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 21–23 | 18–20 | 10–12 |
| Chemistry | 20–22 | 17–19 | 9–11 |
| Mathematics | 24–26 | 21–23 | 11–13 |
| Biotechnology | 25–28 | 22–25 | 12–14 |
| Economics | 22–24 | 19–21 | 10–12 |
| Geology | 35–40 | 30–34 | 15–20 |
How to prepare for the IIT JAM Exam 2026?
You need to have strategic preparation, practice and strong concepts for clearing the exam.
1. Understand the entire syllabus.
2. Focus on Concept learning, Practice, and Revision.
3. Refer to standard reference books and previous year papers
4. Take mock tests
5. Revise through short notes and formula sheets.
Best books to refer for Preparation
| Subject | Recommended Books | Author / Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Concepts of Physics | H.C. Verma |
| Chemistry | Physical Chemistry | P. Bahadur |
| Mathematics | Mathematical Methods | Thomas & Finney |
| Statistics | Introduction to Probability & Statistics | Mendenhall |
| Biotechnology | Molecular Biology of the Cell | Alberts |
| General | Previous Year Papers | IIT JAM Official / Arihant |
JAM Exam 2026 Admission Process
Follow the below simple process for IIT JAM exam:
1. Appear for the JAM exam 2026 and get your scorecard
2. Check the cut-off and your All India Rank
3. Apply through the JAM Admission Portal
4. Fill program choices and institutes
5. Your seat will be allotted by rank, preference, and eligibility.
6. Accept and confirm the admission
FAQ’s
1. What is the most important chapter for the IIT JAM exam?
Ans: While all the topics are important, Calculus (Maths), Thermodynamics (Chemistry), and Mechanics (Physics) carry the most weight.
2. How to prepare for the IIT JAM exam in 2 months?
Ans: For preparing in 2 months you need to focus on core topics from the syllabus, previous year question papers, 2–3 mock tests per week and quick revision notes and formula lists.
3. How to prepare for the IIT JAM within 3 years?
Ans: If you start early and have 3 years then you can build strong basics using NCERT and graduation subjects, start JAM-focused preparation and problem-solving, and practice mock tests and solve previous year questions
4. What is the JAM GATE difference?
Ans: Both are conducted by IIT’s but the main difference is JAM is for science programs and GATE is for engineering programs
5. When is the JAM Exam 2026?
Ans: The IIT JAM 2025 exam date was February 2, 2025, and in 2026 JAM Exam will be conducted on February 15, 2026.
6. What is the JAM Exam used for?
Ans: The JAM exam is used for admissions into M.Sc., M.Sc.-Ph.D., and Joint Ph.D. programs offered by IITs, IISc, and NITs.
7. Who can apply for the JAM Exam 2026?
Ans: Any candidate with a Bachelor’s degree can apply and there’s no minimum marks or age limit.