IIT JAM Counselling 2026 Expected Date, Fee, and Required Documents Explained

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay conducts the Joint Admission Test for Master's (JAM) annually to provide admissions into postgraduate programs such as M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., and M.Sc.-M.Tech. This year, the IIT JAM 2026 examination was held on 15th February 2026, and the results were declared on 20th March 2026. Qualified candidates are now required to participate in the IIT JAM 2026 counselling process to secure admission in their preferred programs.

What is IIT JAM Counselling 2026?

The IIT JAM Counselling 2026 is a centralised admission process (CAP) for students who have qualified the JAM exam. It allows candidates to select preferred programs and institutes and ensures a transparent and merit-based admission process. Only qualified students are eligible to participate.

IIT JAM 2026 Counselling 2026 Expected Date

The IIT JAM 2026 counselling is expected to begin in April 2026 for all qualified candidates. It will be conducted online through the JOAPS portal (jam2026.iitb.ac.in). Candidates should regularly check the official website for updates and complete all required steps within the given timelines.

Steps to Participate in IIT JAM Counselling 2026

1. Login and Registration

• Qualified candidates must log in to the JOAPS portal using their Enrollment ID or Email ID and password.

• Complete the registration for counselling by paying the non-refundable fee of INR 750.

• Only after successful registration can candidates participate in seat allocation.

2. Choice Filling

• Candidates must select their preferred programs and IITs from the available options.

• It is important to prioritize choices carefully as this will influence seat allotment in all admission rounds.

3. Admission Rounds

The counselling process generally includes four rounds of admission, with additional rounds conducted if seats remain vacant.

• Seat Offer Options: Once a seat is offered in a particular round, candidates must log in and choose one of the three options:

1. Accept and Freeze: Accept the seat and confirm admission.

2. Accept with Upgrade: Accept the seat but remain eligible for a higher-preference seat in subsequent rounds.

3. Reject and Quit: Decline the seat and withdraw from the counselling process.

• Candidates who choose Accept with Upgrade need to check their seat allocation in the next round.

IIT JAM Centralised Admission Process (CAP)

• The CAP ensures fair seat allocation based on All India Rank (AIR), candidate preferences, and category reservations.

• After each round, a Second Admission List and subsequent lists (if necessary) are prepared to fill remaining vacancies.

• Students must complete all formalities within the stipulated timelines to secure their admission.

Documents Required for IIT JAM 2026 Counselling

Candidates must carry the following documents (originals and photocopies) for verification during the counselling/admission process:

1. JAM 2026 Scorecard

2. Admission Form Confirmation Page

3. Valid Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)

4. Date of Birth Certificate (Class 10th mark sheet or equivalent)

5. Educational Qualification Certificates (Bachelor’s Degree mark sheets)

6. Category Certificate (if applicable)

It is advisable to keep multiple copies of all documents to avoid last-minute issues.

Important Points to Note

• A counselling fee (expected to be around INR 750) may be applicable, even if a candidate withdraws.

• Only qualified candidates can participate in the counselling process.

• Candidates should always verify updates on the official JAM portal to avoid misinformation.

• Missing deadlines may result in forfeiture of allotted seats.