IIT JAM 2026 Eligibility Check Before Applying: Educational Qualification, Subjects & Reservation

One of the most highly competitive entrance exams for applicants hoping to enroll in postgraduate programs like M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., M.Sc.-Ph.D., and other post-bachelor's degrees at the esteemed Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is the IIT Joint Admission Test for Masters (IIT JAM) 2025. Candidates must carefully review the IIT JAM 2025 eligibility requirements before completing the application form in order to prevent disqualification later on.

To assist you in making an informed choice prior to applying, this article offers a comprehensive guide on IIT JAM 2025 eligibility requirements, including educational requirements, subject-wise criteria, nationality, minimum marks, and reservation policies.

Key Highlights of IIT JAM 2026 Eligibility

You are advised to check and ensure that you meet IIT JAM 2025 eligibility criteria before filling up the application. These include regulations about age, minimum grades, nationality, and educational background. You can quickly determine if you are qualified to take the test by quickly understanding these highlights.

• Nationality: Foreign and Indian nationals are both qualified.
• Educational Requirement: It is essential to have a Bachelor's degree in the relevant field from an accredited university.
• Age Restrictions: IIT JAM 2025 has no age restrictions.
• Minimum Requirements: Candidates must have a minimum of 50% aggregate (or 5.0 CGPA) for SC/ST/PwD and 55% aggregate (or 5.5 CGPA on a 10-point scale) for General/OBC-NCL/EWS.
• Subjects: Applicants should confirm their eligibility for the paper they want to appear in.
• Reservation: In accordance with Government of India regulations, there is a relaxation in eligibility and seat distribution.

IIT JAM Educational Qualifications Criteria

IIT JAM 2025's educational qualification requirements guarantee that you have the appropriate background in education to pursue postgraduate studies. You must hold a valid and relevant bachelor's degree from a recognized university. This rule guarantees that students are academically prepared for the advanced curriculum at IITs and IISc.

• Fundamental Requirements

• • A three-year bachelor's degree is necessary.
  • A university or other organization approved by UGC, AIU, or AICTE must award the degree.
  • As long as they provide proof of graduation by the deadline, candidates in their final year (2025) may also apply.

• Minimum Score Needed

• General/OBC-NCL/EWS: 5.5 CGPA or 55% of total points. 
• SC/ST/PwD: 5.0 CGPA or 50% of total points.

Note: You are advised to check the admission brochure of the relevant institution as some IITs and IISc may have more stringent or program-specific requirements.

IIT JAM 2026 Subject-Wise Eligibility

You must appear in the IIT JAM paper that matches your academic background. Below is an overview of the subject-specific eligibility requirements:

• Biological Sciences (BL)

• • Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Botany, Zoology, Physiology, or related subjects.
  • Candidates with a Chemistry or Physics background must have studied Biology as an elective.

• Biotechnology (BT)

• • Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or allied fields.
  • Students with Biology + Chemistry/Physics combinations are also eligible.

• Chemistry (CY)

• • Bachelor’s degree with Chemistry for at least 2 years/4 semesters.
  • Candidates must also have studied Mathematics at 10+2 level.

• Economics (EN)

• • Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or related disciplines.
  • A minimum of 4 semesters of Economics is required.

• Geology (GG)

• • Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Earth Sciences, or Geological Technology.
  • Candidates with Physics, Chemistry, or Biology background must have studied Geology.

• Mathematics (MA)

• Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics as a core subject for at least 2 years/4 semesters.

• Mathematical Statistics (MS)

• Bachelor’s degree with Mathematics or Statistics as a core subject for at least 2 years/4 semesters.

• Physics (PH)

• Bachelor’s degree with Physics for at least 2 years/4 semesters.
• Mathematics must be studied at the 10+2 level.

IIT JAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Students

A few basic eligibility criteria for the foreign students to appear for the IIT JAM 2026 exam is listed below.

• IIT JAM 2025 is also available for foreign nationals.
• They must fulfill the same minimum score requirements and educational requirements as Indian students
• The regulations established by the individual institute, including extra requirements like a valid visa, medical fitness, and cost structure, govern admission to IITs and IISc.

IIT JAM 2026 Reservation Policy

IT JAM strictly practices the reservation guidelines established by the Indian government. The breakdown by category is as follows:

• SC - 15% of seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC).
• ST - 7.5% of seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• OBC- NCL - 27% of seats are reserved for Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) Other Backward Classes.
• EWS - 10% of seats are reserved for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).

Please Note: All categories have a 5% horizontal reservation for people with disabilities (PwD).

Benefits of Reservations

Some of the benefits of the reservation policy in IIT JAM 2026 are mentioned below.

• Lowering of the minimum qualifying score.
• Reservations are made for seat assignments during counseling.
• Extra time for exams is one of the special provisions for PwD candidates.

Documents Required for IIT JAM Eligibility Verification

At the time of counselling and admission, there are a few important documents and valid identity and eligibility proof that you must produce which include:

• Bachelor’s degree/provisional certificate.
• Mark sheets of all semesters.
• Category certificate (if applicable).
• PwD certificate (if applicable).
• Nationality proof (for foreign candidates).

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Eligibility Check

• Ignoring subject-specific criteria: Many candidates choose a JAM paper without matching their graduation subjects.
• Incorrect category certificate: Submitting outdated or invalid certificates leads to rejection.
• Not meeting deadline: Final-year candidates must submit proof of degree completion by the institute’s specified date.
• Assuming age relaxation: While there is no age limit, reservation applies only to Indian categories.

Conclusion

Admission to esteemed IITs and IISc is based on the IIT JAM 2025 eligibility requirements. Before applying, candidates should carefully review their educational background, subject eligibility, and reservation benefits. It is advisable to review the official JAM brochure and institute-specific eligibility requirements as they differ among subjects and institutes. Fulfilling the eligibility requirements guarantees a seamless application process and raises the likelihood of getting accepted into the program of choice.