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The IIT JAM unofficial 2026 notification has been released by IIT Bombay containing the tentative examination schedule. As per the unofficial notification the registration will take place at JOAPS portal from Sep 5, 2025. The last date to register for the exam has been scheduled for Oct 12, 2025. Further, the IIT JAM exam date has been scheduled for Feb 15, 2026. The official notification and dates will be shared soon.
The IIT JAM (Joint Admission Test for Masters) is a highly competitive national-level test in India that provides access to students seeking to pursue postgraduate studies in science streams. It is a gateway to different programs like M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., Dual Degree M.Sc.-Ph.D., and other postgraduate courses at top institutions like the IITs, IISc Bangalore, NITs, and other participating institutes.
With the issuance of the IIT JAM 2026 notification, it is important that aspirants should become familiar with all the imperative details. This article provides an exhaustive summary of the official notification, such as IIT JAM important dates, IIT JAM 2026 eligibility criteria, syllabus pattern, exam pattern, application procedure, and effective preparation strategies.
Highlights of IIT JAM 2026 Notification
The details related to the IIT JAM examination has been provided in the table below for your reference.
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | IIT JAM 2026 |
| Organizing Institute | IIT Bombay |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | jam2026.iitb.ac.in |
| Number of Papers | 7 (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Biotechnology, Economics, Mathematical Statistics) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Number of Questions | 60 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Admission Through | Centralized Counseling for M.Sc./M.Sc.-Ph.D. (CCMN and JAM Admission Portal) |
IIT JAM 2026 Important Dates
You can check the tentative date list of the IIT JAM exam provided in the table below. The notification for the IIT JAM exam will probably be released by August 2025. However, the IIT JAM exam date 2026 has been scheduled for Feb 15, 2026.
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
| Upcoming Events | |
| Release of Notification | August 2025 |
| Application Form Availability | Sep 5, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | Oct 12, 2025 |
| To upload a valid OBC-NCL/EWS certificate | October 2025 |
| IIT JAM Form Correction Window | October 2025 |
| IIT JAM Admit Card Release | Jan 5, 2026 |
| IIT JAM 2026 Examination Date | Feb 15, 2026 |
| IIT JAM Response Sheet Release Date | February 2026 |
| IIT JAM Provisional Answer Key Release Date | February 2026 |
| IIT JAM Provisional Answer Key Objection Window | February 2026 |
| IIT JAM Result Release Date | Mar 20, 2026 |
| IIT JAM Merit List Release Date | March 2026 |
| IIT JAM Final Answer Key | March 2026 |
| IIT JAM Cutoff | March 2026 |
| IIT JAM Toppers List Release Date | March 2026 |
| Uploading Scorecards on to the Candidate Portal | March 2026 |
| Submission of Application Form for Admission on JOAPS portal | March 2026 |
IIT JAM 2026 Exam Timing
You can check the IIT JAM 2026 exam dates schedule consisting of IIT JAM dates, timing, and test papers mentioned below. IIT JAM exam date 2026 for sessions I and II scheduled for Feb 15, 2026 is provided here.
| Session | Exam Timing | Test Paper & Code |
| I | 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
Biotechnology (BT) Mathematical Statistics (MT) Physics(PH) |
| II | 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM |
Chemistry (CY) Geology(GG) Economics(EM) Mathematics(MA) |
IIT JAM 2026 Counselling Schedule
The IIT JAM counselling 2026 registration will probably begin in March 2026. It will take place in different rounds. Based on the total counselling rounds the seat allotment list will be released and the admission will take place. You can check the expected schedule from the table below.
| Events | Dates (Tentative) |
| Submission of Application Form for Admission on JOAPS portal | March 2026 |
| Last Date of Submission of Application Form for Admission on JOAPS portal | TBA |
| Display of Invalid Category Candidates list on JAM 2026 Website | TBA |
| Declaration of First Admission List | TBA |
| Last Date for Online Payment of Seat Booking Fee for First Admission List | TBA |
| Declaration of Second Admission List | TBA |
| Opening and Closing of Withdrawal Option | TBA |
| Last Date for Online Payment of Seat Booking Fee for Second Admission List | TBA |
| Declaration of Third Admission List | TBA |
| Last Date for Online Payment of Seat Booking Fee for Third Admission List | TBA |
| Declaration of Fourth Admission List | TBA |
| Last Date for Online Payment of Seat Booking Fee for Fourth Admission List | TBA |
| Declaration of Additional Round List (if any) | TBA |
| Last Date for Online Payment of Seat Booking Fee for Additional Round Admission List | TBA |
| Downloading of Offer Letters from the Candidate Portal | TBA |
Exam Pattern of IIT JAM 2026
The exam for IIT JAM 2026 consists of 60 questions for 100 marks. There are a total of three sections, each having different sets of questions. Check the detailed IIT JAM exam pattern 2026 through the table provided here.
| Section | Question Type | Number of Questions | Marks |
| A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) | 30 | 50 |
| B | Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) | 10 | 20 |
| C | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 20 | 30 |
| Total | 60 | 100 | |
You can check some of the important pointers related to the exam format of the IIT JAM shared as pointers below.
- Duration: 3 hours
- Language: English only
- Mode: Online (CBT)
- Negative marking applies only in MCQs Not in MSQs and NTA
Application Process for IIT JAM 2026
The entire application process for the IIT JAM exam is online through the JAM Online Application Processing System (JOAPS). The steps for the IIT JAM 2026 application form-filling for the examination are shared below for your reference.
1. Registration
Go to https://jam.iitd.ac.in and register with a valid email ID and mobile number. You will get an enrollment ID.
2. Fill Application Form
Log in to JOAPS, provide personal, academic, and contact information. Select your desired paper(s) and examination city.
3. Uploading Documents
After filling all the details you need to upload the following documents shared in the prescribed format and font. Check the documents list provided here.
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Signature
- Category certificate (if necessary)
- PwD certificate (if necessary)
4. Application Fee Payment
The application fees for the IIT JAM exam varies based on categories. You can check the category-wise fee structure through the table mentioned below.
| Category | One Test Paper | Two Test Papers |
| General/OBC/EWS (Male) | INR 2000/- | INR 2700/- |
| SC/ST/PwD/Female candidates | INR 1000/- | INR 1350/- |
NOTE: Application fee is non-refundable
Admission Process After Results
The IIT JAM result 2026 will probably be declared on Mar 20, 2026. The result will be released on the official website in online mode. After the result declaration, you must follow the instructions provided below.
- Log in to the JAM Admission Portal.
- Fill the Admission Form online, specifying preferred programmes and institutes.
- Upload mandatory documents (degree certificates, category certificates, mark sheets).
- Verify and reply to admission offers (based on merit, preference, and eligibility).
- Accept and pay the seat booking fee to reserve admission.
Admitting Institutes and Programmes
There are around 12 colleges accepting IIT JAM scores 2026 and offer you admission into various courses. The list of participating colleges have been shared here for your reference.
You must check the pointers shared below showing the list of courses offered by these participating colleges through the IIT JAM scores.
- M.Sc Program: Applied Geology, Applied Geophysics, Applied Statistics & Informatics, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
- M.Sc. -Ph. D. Dual Degree Programmes: Energy, Environmental Science and Engineering, and Operations Research.
FAQs on IIT JAM Notification
Q: Can I appear for two subjects in JAM 2026?
You can appear for two papers provided they are scheduled in different sessions and do not have timing conflicts. You must ensure to choose the papers carefully to avoid any date clash.
Q: What is the educational qualification required for JAM 2026?
You must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline of science with:At least 55% marks (or 5.5 CGPA) for General/OBC/EWS50% marks (or 5.0 CGPA) for SC/ST/PwDFinal-year students can also apply, provided they complete their degree requirements before the admission deadline.
Q: What is the application fee for JAM 2026?
The application fees for the IIT JAM 2026 examination varies based on categories. The category-wise fees includes, for Female/SC/ST/PwD the fees is INR 1000/- for one test paper and INR 1350/- for two test papers. Further for all other categories the fees is INR 2000/- for one test paper and INR 2700/- for two test papers.
Q: Can foreign students apply for JAM 2026?
Yes, foreign nationals can apply for JAM, but they must check specific eligibility criteria and admission requirements of the participating institutes. Those who will meet the eligibility limit will be only able to register for the examination.
Q: How are admissions granted through JAM?
Admissions are offered based on the following factors shared below as pointers:
- JAM All India Rank (AIR).
- Eligibility criteria of the program/institute.
- Availability of seats.
- Preferences filled in the JAM Admission Portal.
