JAM 2026 scores accepted by 21 IITs, IISc Bangalore, NITs, IISERs for postgraduate science admissions

The Joint Admission Test for Masters (JAM) 2026 is scheduled for February 15, 2026, at 117 examination centers across India. This examination serves as the gateway for admissions to M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., Integrated Ph.D., M.Sc.-M.Tech, and M.Sc.(Tech) programs in science disciplines at premier institutions including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), and Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs).

IIT Bombay is the Organizing Institute for JAM 2026. While the examination date has been set, the official seat matrix for IIT JAM 2026 is yet to be uploaded or released by IIT Bombay, according to the latest information on jam2026.iitb.ac.in. The seat intake data currently available is considered tentative and subject to change.

Participating Institutions and Programs Offered

A total of 21 IITs, IISc Bangalore, and various NITs, IISERs, and CFTIs will accept JAM 2026 scores. These institutions offer specializations such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotechnology, Economics, Geology, and Mathematical Statistics. Admission to IITs is supported through the JAM Admission Portal (JOAPS), while NITs, IISERs, and CFTIs participate through CCMN counselling for M.Sc. and M.Sc.(Tech) programs.

IISc Bangalore accepts JAM scores for Integrated Ph.D. programs in Biological, Chemical, Physical, and Mathematical Sciences. The counselling process for IITs typically involves three to four rounds, with seat allotment based on JAM Rank, Category, and Institute Preference. Document verification is mandatory for final seat confirmation.

Tentative Seat Matrix and Eligibility Considerations

While the official seat matrix is pending release, tentative data indicates a substantial number of seats across various programs. For instance, the expected total seats for Biotechnology programs are 114, Chemistry programs 865, and Physics programs 865, based on available tentative information. These figures are subject to change once IIT Bombay releases the final seat intake list.

Certain programs have specific eligibility criteria. Candidates with color blindness and/or Uni-ocularity are not eligible for some programs at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. PwD candidates for specific programs at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad must be able to walk in the field without assistance or escort. For migration to a Ph.D. with fellowship after four semesters of M.Sc. at IIT Patna, a Cumulative Performance Index (CPI) of 8.0 or higher is required.

Admission Process and Required Documents

The admission process for IITs is conducted through the JAM Admission Portal (JOAPS). Candidates are advised to review the college list and available programs on the official website, jam2026.iitb.ac.in, and rank institutes based on their subject interest and previous cutoffs before the counselling deadline. For NITs, IISERs, and CFTIs, admission is through CCMN counselling.

Document verification is a mandatory step for final seat confirmation. Candidates must ensure they have all necessary documents ready for the counselling process.

Further reading

• JAM 2026 scores accepted by 22 IITs, 20 NITs, IISc for 2,000 postgraduate seats
• GATE 2026 cutoff for Data Science & AI released: check qualifying marks and top institute scores
• GPAT 2026 scores accepted for M.Pharm admissions in India, results on June 25

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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