The JAM 2026 Notification PDF has been released at the official website jam2026.iitb.ac.in by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) for seven test papers. The Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) 2026 will be conducted on 15th February 2026 (Sunday) in two sessions (forenoon and afternoon)
Candidates can check all details including registration dates, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, application fees, syllabus, seat matrix, and admission procedure in this detailed notification article.
JAM 2026 Notification Out
The Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) has been a benchmark entrance exam for science education in India for the last two decades. It opens opportunities for postgraduate admissions (M.Sc., M.Sc. Tech, M.S. Research, Integrated PhD, Dual Degrees) in 22 IITs, as well as programs in IISc, NITs, IISERs, IIPE, IIEST, JNCASR, and other prestigious institutions through the CCMN counselling process.
IIT Bombay is the organizing institute for JAM 2026, and the official notification PDF (Information Brochure) has been released. The examination will be conducted online across 116 cities in India.
Also Read: IIT JAM 2026 Registration Deadline Extended, Apply by Oct 20 at jam2026.iitb.ac.in
JAM 2026: Overview
The JAM 2026 examination is conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) where candidates can appear in one or two test papers. JAM scores will be used for around 3000 seats in IITs and 2000+ seats in Result Sharing Institutes (like IISc, NITs, IISERs, CFTIs etc.).
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM 2026) |
| Conducting Body | IIT Bombay (Organizing Institute) |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Date | 15th February 2026 (Sunday) |
| Duration | 3 Hours (9:30–12:30 & 2:30–5:30) |
| Test Papers | 7 Subjects (BT, CY, EN, GG, MA, MS, PH) |
| Eligibility | UG completed or final year undergraduate (2026) |
| Age Limit | No restriction |
| Application Dates | 5th Sept – 12th Oct 2025 (via JOAPS) |
| Correction Window | Upto 10th November 2025 (₹300 correction fee) |
| Result Date | 20th March 2026 |
| Admission Seats | ~3000 seats (IITs) + ~2000 (other institutes) |
| Official Website | jam2026.iitb.ac.in |
JAM 2026 Notification PDF
IIT Bombay has released the JAM 2026 Brochure and Notification PDF on 22nd August 2025. The brochure contains exam pattern, eligibility criteria, application procedure, syllabus, participating institutes, and seat matrix.
JAM 2026 Brochure – Click to Download
JAM 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for Joint Admission test for Masters 2026, candidates must check whether they fulfill the eligibility criteria as set by IIT Bombay.
1. Nationality
- JAM 2026 is open to all nationals – Indian as well as foreign.
- OCI/PIO cardholders are eligible.
2. Age Limit
- No age restriction has been prescribed.
3. Educational Qualification
- Candidates who have completed a UG degree or will be appearing in their final year in 2026 are eligible.
- Proof of completion must be submitted at the time of admission.
Eligible programs include:
- B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Com. (3-year programs)
- B.Tech. / B.E. (4-year programs)
- M.Sc. (Integrated) / B.S.-M.S. Dual Degrees
- MBBS / BDS / BVSc / Pharm.D.
- Professional Society Examinations approved by MoE/AICTE/UGC.
4. Documents Required for Eligibility Proof
- For completed degrees: Degree Certificate/Provisional Certificate
- For ongoing degrees: Certificate from Head of Department/Institute
- Category certificates: OBC-NCL / EWS / SC / ST (if applicable)
- PwD Certificate & UDID number
JAM 2026 Application Process
The JAM 2026 application process is conducted entirely online through the JAM Online Application Processing System (JOAPS) portal. Candidates need to register with their details, fill in the application form, upload required documents, and pay the application fee. The system also allows candidates to track their application status and make corrections within the given window.
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
Step 1: Registration
- Visit jam2026.iitb.ac.in.
- Register with name, email ID, and mobile number.
- An Enrollment ID will be generated and sent to the candidate.
Step 2: Login & Fill Application Form
- Login with Enrollment ID and password.
- Fill personal details, educational qualifications, program details, and exam city preferences.
Step 3: Upload Documents
- Recent passport-size photo
- Signature
- 10th certificate/marksheet (DoB proof)
- Category/PwD certificates (if applicable)
- Photo ID proof
Step 4: Pay Application Fee
- Payment can be made using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
Step 5: Review & Submit
- Check all entered details before final submission.
Step 6: Check Application Status
- Candidates can track their status as: Submitted, Accepted, Under Scrutiny, or Defective.
JAM 2026 Application Fees
The application fee for JAM 2026 varies depending on the category of the candidate and whether they choose one or two test papers. Candidates belonging to Female, SC, ST, and PwD categories enjoy a reduced fee, while others pay a higher amount. The payment must be made online using Debit/Credit Cards, Net Banking, or UPI. Additional charges apply for corrections or modifications after submission.
| Category | One Test Paper | Two Test Papers |
|---|---|---|
| Female / SC / ST / PwD | ₹1000 | ₹1350 |
| All Other Candidates | ₹2000 | ₹2700 |
- Correction of Category, Gender, DoB, Exam City, or Test Paper: ₹300
- Payment Mode: Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI
JAM 2026 Examination Cities
The Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) 2026 will be conducted in 116 cities across India, grouped into eight zones. Each zone is managed by an IIT/IISc, known as the Zonal Coordinating Institute.
While filling the JAM 2026 application form, candidates are required to choose three cities from the same zone. The first choice should be the most preferred city, while the second and third choices must also be from the same zone. If the first preference city is not available due to operational or logistical reasons, one of the other preferred cities within the zone will be allotted.
Below is the complete list of JAM 2026 examination cities arranged zone-wise:
| Zonal Coordinating Institute | Examination Cities |
|---|---|
| IISc Bengaluru | Belagavi, Bengaluru North, Bengaluru South, Hassan, Hubbali/Dharwad, Hyderabad, Kalaburagi, Kannur, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Palakkad, Payannur, Port Blair, Shivamogga, Thrissur, Vatakara |
| IIT Bombay | Ahmedabad, Ahilyanagar, Akola, Amravati, Chattrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Goa, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Rajkot, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Surat, Vadodara |
| IIT Delhi | Alwar, Bhilwara, Dausa, Faridabad, Greater NOIDA, Gurugram, Hanumangarh, Hisar, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu-Samba, Jodhpur, Mathura, New Delhi, Srinagar |
| IIT Guwahati | Agartala, Asansol, Durgapur, Dhanbad, Dibrugarh, Dimapur-Kohima, Guwahati, Imphal, Jorhat, Kalyani, Patna, Shillong, Siliguri |
| IIT Kanpur | Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Bhopal, Gorakhpur, Jabalpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi |
| IIT Kharagpur | Bhubaneswar, Bilaspur, Brahmapur, Kolaghat, Kolkata, Kharagpur-Midnapore, Raipur, Ranchi, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam |
| IIT Madras | Alappuzha, Chennai, Coimbatore, Aluva-Ernakulam, Guntur, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kollam, Karaikudi, Kottayam, Madurai, Ongole, Puducherry, Salem, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Tirupati, Warangal |
| IIT Roorkee | Ambala, Dehradun, Ghaziabad, Haldwani, Jalandhar, Kangra-Dharmashala, Kurukshetra, Meerut, MohaliChandigarh, Moradabad, NOIDA, Patiala, Roorkee, Shimla-Solan |
JAM 2026 Exam Pattern
The Joint Admission test for Masters exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for a duration of three hours. The medium of the test is English only. All seven papers will follow the same pattern, with a mix of MCQs, MSQs, and NAT questions. Negative marking is applicable only for MCQs, while MSQ and NAT questions carry no penalty for wrong answers. A virtual scientific calculator will be provided on-screen during the test.
- Duration: 3 Hours (PwD candidates get +1 hour)
- Questions: 60 Questions
- Marks: 100 Marks
- Sections: MCQ, MSQ, NAT
JAM 2026 Question Paper Structure
The JAM 2026 question paper is carefully designed to assess a candidate’s conceptual understanding, analytical ability, and application skills. Each paper consists of 60 questions carrying 100 marks. The paper is divided into three sections – MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions), MSQ (Multiple Select Questions), and NAT (Numerical Answer Type Questions) – ensuring a balance of theory-based and problem-solving questions.
| Section | Type of Questions | Number of Questions | Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) | 30 | 50 | Yes (1/3 for 1 mark, 2/3 for 2 marks) |
| B | Multiple Select Questions (MSQ) | 10 | 20 | No |
| C | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 20 | 30 | No |
- Virtual calculator provided.
- Rough work only on scribble pads.
- Mock tests and past year papers will be available on the JAM 2026 website.
Also Read: JAM 2026 Exam Date: Check Official Schedule and Mock Test Links
JAM 2026 Schedule & Test Papers
The JAM 2026 examination will be held on 15th February 2026 (Sunday) in two sessions – forenoon and afternoon. A total of seven test papers will be conducted across these sessions. Candidates can appear for one or two test papers, provided the subjects are scheduled in different sessions. The schedule helps candidates plan their preparation and select the right paper combinations.
Examination Schedule
| Date | Session | Time | Test Papers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15th February 2026 (Sunday) | Forenoon | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Chemistry (CY), Geology (GG), Mathematics (MA) |
| 15th February 2026 (Sunday) | Afternoon | 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Biotechnology (BT), Economics (EN), Mathematical Statistics (MS), Physics (PH) |
Also Read: JAM 2026 Exam Date: Check Official Schedule and Mock Test Links
Opportunities After JAM 2026
Qualifying JAM 2026 provides excellent academic and career opportunities:
- Admissions to IITs: Around 3000 seats across 22 IITs.
- Admissions to Result Sharing Institutes: IISc, IISERs, NITs, DIAT, JNCASR, IIPE, SLIET, etc. with 2000+ seats.
- Interdisciplinary Courses: M.Sc., M.Tech. (Dual), M.S. (Research), Integrated Ph.D.
- Scholarships: Candidates admitted through JAM are eligible for scholarships and stipends as per institute rules.
- Research Careers: Opens pathways to higher research in India and abroad.
- Academic & Corporate Jobs: Many R&D organizations and academic institutions value JAM-qualified candidates.
Also Read: GATE 2026 Notification Out: Exam Dates, Online Form, Eligibility, and Pattern PDF Released
JAM 2026 FAQs
Q1. When will JAM 2026 be conducted?
A: On 15th February 2026 (Sunday) in two sessions.
Q2. Who conducts JAM 2026?
A: IIT Bombay is the organizing institute for 2026.
Q3. What is the exam mode?
A: Fully online (CBT) conducted across 116 cities.
Q4. What is the exam pattern?
A: 60 questions (MCQ/MSQ/NAT), 100 marks, 3 hours duration.
Q5. Can I apply for two JAM papers?
A: Yes, provided the papers are scheduled in different sessions.
Q6. What is the fee for JAM 2026?
A: ₹1000 (one paper) for Female/SC/ST/PwD; ₹2000 for others. Two papers: ₹1350 & ₹2700 respectively.
Q7. How many institutes accept JAM 2026 scores?
A: 22 IITs + IISc + CFTIs + ~30 Result Sharing Institutes like IISERs, IIPE, NITs, JNCASR etc.
Q8. When will JAM 2026 Result be declared?
A: Results will be out on 20th March 2026.
Q9. Is there an interview after JAM?
A: No, admissions are purely based on JAM AIR, eligibility, and merit list.