How to Apply for IIT JAM Counseling & Admission Process 2026: Check Steps

The IIT JAM counselling and admission process is a structured procedure that determines the allocation of seats for candidates who have qualified in the IIT JAM exam 2026. Candidates seeking admission to MSc, Joint MSc-PhD, MSc-PhD Dual degrees, and other postgraduate programmes at IITs and IISc must participate in this process.

The dates for IIT JAM 2026 admission portal to open is yet to be announced. As of now the registration portal will be active from Sept 5, 2025 and the exam will be conducted on Feb 15, 2026. The IIT JAM counselling will most likely beigin in April 2026.

IIT JAM 2026 Admission Process

Following the structured process, candidates can smoothly navigate the IIT JAM admission procedure to secure a seat in their desired postgraduate programme. The IIT JAM admission process is explained below.

• Qualifying the IIT JAM Exam

Candidates must appear for the IIT JAM exam and secure a rank within the cutoff set by the participating institutes.

• Registration on JOAPS (JAM Online Admission Portal)

Qualified candidates need to register on JOAPS by providing personal, academic, and qualification details.

• Filling Admission Form & Preference Selection

Candidates must select their preferred IITs and MSc programmes in order of priority. Choices should be made carefully based on eligibility and interest.

• Payment of Admission Processing Fee

A non-refundable admission fee must be paid online to participate in the counselling process.

• Seat Allotment & Offer Acceptance
  • Seats are allocated based on JAM rank, category, and availability. Candidates have the option to:
  • Accept & Freeze – Confirm the allotted seat.
  • Accept with Upgrade – Retain the seat while allowing an upgrade in subsequent rounds.
  • Reject & Exit – Decline the offer and withdraw from the process.
• Document Verification
  • Candidates must submit the required documents, including:
  • IIT JAM scorecard
  • Academic mark sheets & certificates
  • Category certificate (if applicable)
  • Photo ID proof
• Final Admission & Reporting

Once a seat is confirmed, candidates must report to the allotted IIT/IISc as per the schedule and complete formalities like semester fee payment.

IIT JAM 2026 Counselling

For the IIT JAM counselling 2026, the candidates need to fill and submit the admission form. The basic criteria for the procedure is that the candidate must have met the IIT JAM cutoff marks. Candidates can refer to the step by step process of counsellig mentioned below.

• Registration on JOAPS

Qualified candidates must register on the JAM Online Admission Portal (JOAPS) using their login credentials. They need to fill in:

• • Personal details
  • Academic information
  • Choice of programs and institutes
• Submission of Admission Form & Choice Filling
  • Candidates must carefully select and prioritize their preferred IITs and MSc programs based on eligibility and interest.
  • The order of preferences plays a crucial role in seat allotment.
• Payment of Admission Processing Fee
  • A non-refundable processing fee must be paid online to complete the application.
  • Payment can be made using debit/credit cards or net banking.
• Seat Allotment Rounds
  • Seats are allotted in multiple rounds based on JAM rank, category, and seat availability.
  • Candidates have three options upon receiving an allotment:
  • Accept & Freeze: Confirm the seat and stop participating in further rounds.
  • Accept with Upgrade: Accept the seat while allowing an upgrade to a higher preference.
  • Reject & Exit: Decline the offer and exit the admission process.
• Document Verification

Candidates must upload and verify the required documents, including:

• • IIT JAM scorecard
  • Academic certificates and mark sheets
  • Category certificate (if applicable)
  • Photo ID proof
  • Admission fee payment receipt
• Admission & Reporting to the Institute
  • After the final seat allotment, candidates must report to the allotted IIT/IISc within the given timeline.
  • They need to complete final admission formalities, including fee payment and document submission.

IIT JAM 2026 Counselling Important Dates

Candidates can refer to the table given below for the IIT JAM 2026 counselling tentative date, as the exact dates are yet to be released by the official authorities.

IIT JAM Counselling 2026: Important Documents

Selected candidates must carry and submit important documents to complete the IIT JAM counselling and admission process. 

The following are the ID proofs and documents required 

1. Class 10th Marksheet
2. Class 12th Marksheet
3. Aspirants Birth Certificate
4. Candidates' valid ID Proofs (Voter ID/PAN Card/Aadhar Card/Passport/)
5. IIT JAM 2026 Admit Card
6. IIT JAM 2026 Application Form
7. IIT JAM 2026 Scorecard
8. Candidates' Transfer/Migration Certificate
9. Candidates Qualifying for Degree Certificate and Degree Marksheet
10. Aspirants Marksheets till Final Year ( All Semesters)
11. Nationality Certificate (For General)
12. Caste/Reservation Certificate ( For SC, ST, OBC, NCL, and EWS )
13. Valid Certificate (For PwD aspirants)

IIT JAM 2026 Counselling Fees

Candidates can check the IIT JAM 2026 counselling fee category-wise in the table given below.

Important Points to Remember

• Ensure all details in the admission form are accurate to avoid disqualification.
• Keep track of important dates for each round of seat allotment.
• Check the official IIT JAM website and respective IIT portals for any updates or changes in the admission process.