The IIT JAM Final Answer Key has been released on 19 March 2026 by IIT Bombay on the official JOAPS portal joaps.iitd.ac.in. The IIT JAM 2026 Final Answer Key will help candidates to check the correct answers to all the questions asked in the exam.

It is released after reviewing all the objections raised on the provisional answer key, so you will not be able to challenge the Final Answer key.

  • The answers in this key will be used to calculate the final scores and prepare the merit list and All India Rank (AIR)

IIT JAM 2026: Subject-Wise Answer Key Pdf

Subjects Answer key
Chemistry Check Here 
Mathematics Check Here
Geology Check Here
Physics Check Here
Mathematics statistics Check Here
Biotechnology Check Here
Economics Check Here

Check, the latest updates related to IIT JAM 2026:

IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key: Marking Scheme

The IIT JAM 2026 marking scheme is different for all 3 sections of the examination. Section A has a negative marking, whereas Sections B and C have no negative marking. Knowledge of the pattern of marking makes it easier for the candidates to estimate their scores using the answer key.

Section Question Type Marks per Question Negative Marking
Section A Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 1 or 2 marks -1/3 for 1-mark questions, -2/3 for 2-mark questions
Section B Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) 2 marks No negative marking
Section C Numerical Answer Type (NAT) 1 or 2 marks No negative marking

Challenging the IIT JAM 2026 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 a 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 20 March 2026
Result Declaration 20 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.

How to Check IIT JAM 2026 Response Sheet?

Applicants can view their IIT JAM 2026 response sheet on the official JOAPS website using their password and enrollment ID. 

All answers filled in during the exam are shown on the response sheet, and applicants can verify them with the official IIT JAM 2026 answer key to assess their scores.

Difference Between IIT JAM Answer Key and Response sheet

Though both the IIT JAM 2026 answer key and response sheet help the candidates judge their performance, they are not the same thing.

Aspect IIT JAM Answer Key IIT JAM Response Sheet
Purpose Gives the right answers to all questions Show answers that are responded by the candidate
Contents Correct responses, inclusive of any post-objections changes Candidate's answers for every question
Usage Used to predict scores based on comparison with answers Used to review the answers a candidate marked
Availability Posted on the official website after exams Published together with the answer key for candidates
Negative Marking Reflects rules of negative marking for MCQs It does not contain a marking scheme

IIT JAM 2026 Marks vs Ranks

The IIT JAM 2026 marks vs rank analysis informs candidates of their probable rank based on their scores in the examination. Although cutoffs are different each year, past trends indicate that higher marks result in higher ranks, with high scorers receiving AIR 1 – 100 and being eligible for admission to IITs and IISc.

Marks Range Expected Rank Range Possible Colleges
85+ 1 – 50 Top IITs (IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IISc Bangalore)
70 – 85 51 – 200 IITs (IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, IIT BHU, IIT Hyderabad, IISERs)
55 – 70 201 – 600 IITs (Lower branches), NITs (NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, NIT Surathkal), IISERs
40 – 55 601 – 1500 NITs, IIITs, CFTIs, Central Universities (DU, JNU, HCU, BHU)
30 – 40 1501 – 2500 State Universities, Private Institutes, IIITs with lower cutoff
Below 30 2500+ Fewer chances in IITs/NITs, alternative options in state/private universities
  • AIR 1 in IIT JAM 2024 received 90+ marks, getting admission in IIT Bombay/IISc Bangalore.
  • The top IITs demand 70+ marks, while NITs & IIITs take around 40-60 scores.
  • 2024 qualifying marks were between 35-40 for the majority of subjects, depending on category.

Is 50 a Good Score in IIT JAM 2026?

A 50 score in IIT JAM 2026 is average and will get a reasonable rank, but its competitiveness would be subject to the subject, cutoff, and category. Although it might be too low for top IITs, it can guarantee entry into NITs, IIITs, and certain IITs in certain programs.

IIT JAM 2026 Score Analysis

Score Range Good Score or Not? Possible Institutes
85+ Excellent Top IITs (IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IISc Bangalore, IIT Madras)
70 – 85 Very Good IITs (IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, IIT BHU, IISERs)
50 – 70 Moderate to Good IITs (Lower branches), NITs (NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, NIT Surathkal), IISERs
40 – 50 Average NITs, IIITs, CFTIs, Central Universities (DU, JNU, HCU, BHU)
Below 40 Low State Universities, Private Institutes
  • A mark of 50 in IIT JAM 2024 equated to an approximate AIR 600 – 1200, subject-wise.
  • The qualifying cutoff for IIT JAM is 35-40 marks, i.e., 50 is above the cut but not very competitive.
  • Overall, Top IITs prefer to take 70+ marks candidates, whereas NITs and central universities take candidates with 50+ marks.

IIT JAM 2026 Expected Cutoff

The IIT JAM 2026 cut-off marks are the lowest marks to secure admission to M.Sc. courses in IITs, IISc, NITs, and CFTIs. Cut-off differs according to subjects and categories as per the difficulty of the examination, the number of candidates, and previous trends.

Subject General Cut-Off OBC-NCL/EWS Cut-Off SC/ST/PwD Cut-Off
Biotechnology (BT) 34 – 38 30 – 34 17 – 19
Chemistry (CY) 23 – 27 21 – 25 11 – 14
Geology (GG) 36 – 40 32 – 36 18 – 21
Mathematics (MA) 25 – 29 23 – 27 12 – 15
Mathematical Statistics (MS) 15 – 19 14 – 18 7 – 10
Physics (PH) 22 – 26 20 – 24 10 – 13
Economics (EN) 35 – 40 31 – 36 17 – 21

IIT JAM Answer Key: Past Years’ Answer Keys & Question Papers PDFs

A tabular representation regarding the provisional and final IIT JAM Answer Key along with the question paper for each subject of the previous years are outlined below.

IIT JAM 2024 Question Paper & Answer Key Pdf

Subject IIT JAM 2024 Question Paper with Answer Key Pdf
Biotechnology (BT) Check here
Chemistry (CY) Check here
Geology (GG) Check here
Mathematics (MA) Check here
Mathematical Statistics (MS) Check here
Physics (PH) Check here
Economics (EN) Check here

IIT JAM Previous year Question paper & Answer key’s Pdf