IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key: Direct Link, Marks vs Rank and Expected Cutoff
Content Writer | Updated On - Sep 5, 2025
The IIT JAM 2026 answer key will be released on February 2026 on the official JOAPS portal. Candidates can view and download the official IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key from the link below by logging in using their credentials:
| Official IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key |
|---|
The candidates who are not satisfied with the answer key can file their objections for the IIT JAM 2026 provisional answer key by February 20, 2026 by paying the fee of INR 500 per objection. The fee will be refunded if the objection is proven valid.
IIT JAM 2025 Subject Wise Answer Key
Tabulated below is the subject wise question paper along with the answer key PDFS available to download:
| Subjects | Question Paper | Answer Key |
|---|---|---|
| Shift 1 | ||
| IIT JAM 2025 Geology Paper | Available | Available |
| IIT JAM 2025 Mathematics Paper | Available | Available |
| IIT JAM 2025 Chemistry Paper | Available | Available |
| Shift 2 | ||
| IIT JAM 2025 Physics Paper | Available | Available |
| IIT JAM 2025 Biotechnology Paper | Available | Available |
| IIT JAM 2025 Economics Paper | Available | Available |
| IIT JAM 2026 Mathematical Statistics Paper | Available | Available |
IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key Marking Scheme
The IIT JAM 2026 marking scheme varies for all three sections:
- Section A has a negative marking
- Section B and Section C have no negative marking
Knowing the marking scheme of the exam makes it easier for the candidates to calculate their scores using the answer key.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions and Type | 30 MCQs |
| Marking Scheme | 10 questions- 1 mark20 questions- 2 marks |
| Negative Marking |
|
| Exam Mode | Online Mode |
What is the difficulty level of IIT JAM 2026?
IIT JAM 2026 was reported to be of moderate to tough difficulty level by the students appearing for the exam. The subject wise difficulty level for IIT JAM 2026 is tabulated below:
appearing candidates.
| Subjects | IIT JAM 2026 Paper Analysis |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | Moderate to tough, not lengthy:
|
| Mathematics | Moderate to tough, lengthy:
|
| Geology | Easy to Moderate:
|
| Physics | Moderate:
|
| Biotechnology | Moderate:
|
| Mathematical Statistics | Moderate:
|
| Economics | Easy to Moderate:
|
IIT JAM 2026 Marks vs Rank
The IIT JAM marks vs rank tells us the marks required by the candidate to obtain the desired rank and eventually admission to the institute of their choice. The IIT JAM comprises 60 questions with a total 100 marks.
- Score 70 - 85: Highly likely to get admissions in top colleges, including IITs.
- Score 60 - 70: The trend shows that with increased competition the rank may range higher, especially, for subjects like Chemistry and Mathematics.
- Score 50 - 59: Even a small change in marks can affect the rank so the candidate should aim for a higher score.
- Score 40 - 49: This is a competitive score. This score can get you admission in some of the lesser demanded colleges.
- Score 30 - 39: This score will make it difficult to get admissions in IITs. The cutoff rank depends on the number of students securing the same score.
- Below 30: If you are securing marks below 30, the admission process becomes extremely difficult. Admission in IIT is nearly impossible.
Based on the previous year’s data, an expected marks vs rank analysis for IIT JAM 2026 has been prepared:
| Score Range (out of 100) | IIT JAM 2026 Expected Ranks | IIT JAM 2024 Ranks |
|---|---|---|
| 70 - 85 | 1 - 80 | 1 - 80 |
| 60 - 70 | 90 - 180 | 81 - 170 |
| 50 - 59 | 180 - 650 | 171 - 600 |
| 40 - 49 | 650 - 1300 | 600 - 1200 |
| 30 - 39 | 1300 - 2500 | 1200 - 2400 |
| Below 30 | Above 2500 | Above 2400 |
Is 50 a good score in IIT JAM?
No, 50 is considered a low score in IIT JAM. 75 and above is generally considered as a good score in the IIT JAM exam.
What is a good score in IIT JAM?
70 and above is a good score for IIT JAM. Students who are aiming for IIT Madras and IIT Bombay for Biotechnology and Mathematics courses should aim for a score of 85 and above.
| Subjects | Very good score | Good score | Average Score | Low score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 85+ | 75-80+ | 50-60 | Less than 20 |
| Biotechnology | 90+ | 75-82+ | 50-60 | Less than 35 |
| Physics | 86+ | 75-89 | 50-60 | Less than 30 |
| Chemistry | 88+ | 70-84 | 50-59 | Less than 20 |
| Geology | 90+ | 75-85+ | 50-65 | Less than 35 |
| Mathematical Statistics | 80+ | 65-75+ | 50-60 | Less than 20 |
| Economics | 70+ | 60-69 | 45-50 | Less than 20 |
IIT JAM 2026 Expected Cutoff
The IIT JAM 2026 expected cutoff depends on various factors such as difficulty level, number of participants and this year’s performance levels.
The IIT JAM 2026 Expected cutoff provides the following insights:
- An increase in the cutoff is expected in IIT JAM 2026 which means a lot more competition between the students is expected this year.
- Subjects such as: Biotechnology, Chemistry and Geology are expected to have a higher level of competition as an increase in the cutoff marks can be seen.
- Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics are expected to be almost the same as the previous year.
What is the cutoff for IIT JAM 2026?
IIT JAM 2026 cutoff has not been released yet. The IIT JAM 2026 result and scorecard is expected to be announced on March 19, 2026.
The IIT JAM 2026 category wise expected cutoff marks for each IIT JAM 2026 subject has been tabulated below in accordance with the cutoff marks of the previous year:
| IIT JAM 2026 Subjects | Cutoff Marks 2026 (Expected) | Cutoff Marks 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology |
|
|
| Chemistry |
|
|
| Economics |
|
|
| Mathematics |
|
|
| Mathematical Statistics |
|
|
| Geology |
|
|
| Physics |
|
|
IIT JAM 2026 Challenging the Answer Key
Candidates who identify errors in the IIT JAM 2026 provisional answer key can object to it within the given period by depositing a fee of INR 500 per question.
Details for raising challenge against the Answer Key:
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Objection Window | 14 February – 20 February 2026 |
| Fee per Objection | INR 500 (refundable if valid) |
| Mode of Submission | Online via JOAPS portal |
| Required Documents | Supporting proof/reference material for the challenge |
| Final Answer Key Release | Last week of February 2026 (tentative) |
| Result Declaration | 19 March 2026 |
| Past Objections (2024) | 7,500+ objections, 30% accepted |
IIT JAM 2026 Response Sheet
IIT JAM 2026 response sheet consists of all answers that have been marked by candidates in the examination. It is released on the official JOAPS portal, which enables candidates to see their responses and compare them with the IIT JAM answer key to estimate the scores.
What is the difference between IIT JAM Answer Key and Response Sheet?
Tabulated below is the difference between IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key and Response sheet:
| Feature | IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key | IIT JAM 2026 Response Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Official correct answers released by IIT | The recorded responses of a candidate during the exam |
| Purpose | Helps candidates verify correct answers | Allows candidates to check their marked responses |
| Provided by | Organizing IIT (e.g., IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, etc.) | Organizing IIT (through official portal) |
| Availability | Released after the exam | Released before the official answer key |
| Format | PDF document with correct answers for all sets | PDF file showing the candidate’s answers |
| Use | Used for calculating expected scores and challenging incorrect answers | Used to compare with the official answer key |
| Can it be challenged | Yes, candidates can challenge incorrect answers in the provisional key | No, the response sheet is final and cannot be challenged |
| Final Version | No, a provisional answer key is released first, and after challenges, a final version is published | Yes, the response sheet contains the exact answers marked by the candidate during the exam |
IIT JAM 2026 Participating Institutes
IIT JAM is a gateway for admission into various M.Sc. and M.Sc.+ PhD courses into the top IITs and IISc Bangalore. Admission into a leading institute is solely based on the IIT JAM rank. In order to get admissions in premier institutes, candidates need to aim for a higher rank.
How many students get selected for IIT JAM?
Approximately 3000 students are selected for admissions to IITs through the IIT JAM exam.
Which IIT is best for M.Sc.?
IIT Madras, IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay are the top 3 IITs for M.Sc. courses.
Below listed are the IIT JAM 2026 participating institutes along with their NIRF ranking to give you an idea of the top institutes.
Top IITs based on NIRF Ranking
Tabulated below are the participating IITs and their respective NIRF ranks for IIT JAM 2026:
| IIT Name | NIRF Ranks | Total Tuition Fees (Full Course) |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Madras | #1 | INR 8,58,000 |
| IIT Delhi | #2 | INR 8,55,000 |
| IIT Bombay | #3 | INR 8,00,000 |
| IIT Kanpur | #4 | INR 12,25,000 |
| IIT Kharagpur | #5 | INR11,66,000 |
| IIT Roorkee | #6 | INR 8,94,000 |
| IIT Guwahati | #7 | INR 8,54,000 |
| IIT Hyderabad | #8 | INR 9,06,000 |
| IIT (BHU) Varanasi | #9 | INR 8,58,000 |
| IIT Indore | #10 | INR 8,48,000 |
Top NITs based on NIRF Ranking
Tabulated below are the participating NITs and their respective NIRF ranks for IIT JAM 2026:
| NIT Name | NIRF Rank | Total Tuition Fees (Full Course) |
|---|---|---|
| NIT Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy) | #9 | INR 8,62,500 |
| NIT Karnataka, Surathkal | #10 | INR 8,62,500 |
| NIT Rourkela | #15 | INR 8,62,500 |
| NIT Warangal | #21 | INR 8,62,500 |
| MNNIT Allahabad | #25 | INR 8,62,500 |
What is the salary of M.Sc. from IIT?
According to the IIT placement data, the salary after M.Sc. can range from 10 - 15 lakhs meanwhile for PhD, it can range from 12 - 18 lakhs.
Tabulated below is the average salary for each subject specialization and the top recruiters:
| M.Sc. Specialization | Industry/Sector | Average Salary (INR per annum) | Top Recruiters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | Research, IT, Data Science, Teaching | ₹8 - 15 LPA | DRDO, ISRO, TIFR, BARC, Infosys, Wipro, HCL |
| Chemistry | Pharmaceuticals, Research, Quality Control | ₹7 - 12 LPA | Cipla, Sun Pharma, ONGC, Reliance, Tata Chemicals |
| Mathematics | Finance, Data Science, IT, Research | ₹10 - 20 LPA | Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, TCS, Google, IBM |
| Statistics & Mathematical Computing | Data Science, Analytics, Actuarial Science | ₹12 - 25 LPA | Deloitte, EY, Mu Sigma, KPMG, American Express |
| Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, R&D | ₹6 - 12 LPA | Biocon, Serum Institute, Sun Pharma, Novartis |
| Geology & Applied Geology | Oil & Gas, Mining, Environmental Science | ₹8 - 14 LPA | ONGC, Oil India, Coal India, Vedanta |
| Economics | Banking, Finance, Consulting, Research | ₹10 - 18 LPA | RBI, World Bank, McKinsey, BCG, Citibank |
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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Answered Questions
Hi Bina! You cannot use your JEE Mains 2024 score to get admission in the academic year 2025-2026. The validity of JEE Mains score is for one year only.
The eligibility criteria for admission to KNRUHS courses such as MBBS, MD, MS, etc. are based on merit. For admission in undergraduate courses like BDS, BHMS, BUMS, B.A.M.S., and BNYS, National Eligibility cum Entrance test (NEET-UG) scores are considered. The post-graduate level courses like MS/ MD/ PG Diploma/ MPH, and NEET-PG scores are considered for admission. Other than this, admission in Kaloji Narayana Rao University’s courses like M.H.M.S, M.U.M.S, AND M.A.M.S, is done based on AIAPGET score. Bachelor’s degree is considered only for admission to M.Sc. and MPT in KNRUHS. For super Specialty courses like M.CH and DM or Doctorate of Medicine program, the admission is done based on NEET-SS( Super Speciality Courses ) score.
The colleges affiliated with VTU are required to submit the list of admitted students for various courses within a due period along with necessary documents and prescribed fees. The admissions made by the college can be Cancelled / Disapproved by the University if found not eligible for any valid reasons.
No, Jadavpur University (JU) only accepts admission through entrance exams, such as WBJEE, NATA, GATE, WB JECA, and GPAT. JU does not accept JEE Main scores for admission in its engineering courses.
Jadavpur University is a state university in West Bengal. Admission is done through WBJEE, the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board. The university also accepts other entrance exams, including:
CAT, MAT, XAT, JEMAT, ATMA, GATE.
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