IIT JAM 2026 Question Papers: Check Subject-wise Memory-Based Questions

IIT JAM Question Papers 2026: Important Highlights

• IIT JAM 2026 overall difficulty ranged from easy–moderate to tough, with Maths and Physics being the most challenging.

• Time management was the key issue across all subjects due to lengthy papers and calculations.

• Conceptual clarity mattered more than memorisation in every paper.

• Part C and NAT questions acted as major rank differentiators.

• Applied mathematics and calculus dominated Maths, while real analysis and series were reduced.

• Integration was the toughest and most time-consuming topic in Maths.

• ODE, algebra, matrices, and group theory were scoring in Maths.

• Physical chemistry was lengthy and rank-deciding due to heavy calculations.

• Inorganic chemistry was conceptual and scoring.

• Organic chemistry was application-based and less scoring.

• Quantum and modern physics had high weightage and high difficulty.

• Thermodynamics and electronics were the safest scoring areas in Physics.

• Optics and NAT questions were tough and accuracy-based.

• Biotechnology paper was easy–moderate, but MSQs were tricky.

• Interdisciplinary numericals challenged Biotech students with weak maths background.

• Basic biology, physiology, and bioinformatics were emphasised in Biotech.

• Economics paper was largely theory-based with high statistics weightage.

• IS–LM framework dominated Macroeconomics in Economics.

• Indian economy topics like LPG policy and Five Year Plans appeared.

• Very limited mathematics was involved in Economics.

• Overall success depended on speed, accuracy, endurance, and concept application, not guessing.

IIT JAM 2026 Question Paper

This section provides the complete IIT JAM 2026 question paper, allowing aspirants to review all questions, understand the exam pattern, and practice effectively for future attempts.

IIT JAM 2026 Question Paper Analysis

Analysis of the exams that are over has been given below:

IIT JAM Maths 2026 Exam Analysis: Shift 1

Overall Difficulty and Paper Structure

The overall difficulty level of the Mathematics paper was moderate to difficult. While a section of candidates reported the paper as manageable, a larger share felt it was lengthy, with Part C emerging as the most challenging section. Time pressure played a significant role, particularly for candidates who struggled with integration-heavy problems.

Compared to previous years, the paper showed a shift in emphasis. Questions from applied mathematics increased, while those from real analysis decreased. This change influenced both perceived difficulty and score distribution.

1. Permutations and Combinations

• 3 questions appeared.

• These were largely easy and standard, involving familiar counting techniques.

• Despite being conceptually simple, they required careful reading to avoid logical errors.

2. Binomial Theorem

• 3 questions were reported.

• The difficulty level was moderate, mostly direct applications of binomial identities.

• This section acted as a reliable scoring area.

3. Group Theory

• Group theory featured prominently.

• Questions were reported as easy to moderate, focusing on basic properties rather than abstract constructions.

• Candidates with clear conceptual foundations found this section comfortable.

4. Integral Calculus

• Questions from integration were consistently described as tough.

• At least one definite integration problem required non-trivial manipulation.

• This section significantly contributed to the paper feeling lengthy and demanding.

5. Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE) and First Order Equations (FOE)

• Widely regarded as too easy.

• Questions involved the direct application of standard solution methods.

• These served as confidence boosters, especially in contrast to integration.

6. Functions of Several Variables

• Questions from this topic were present and described as lengthy or “essay-type”, requiring multi-step reasoning.

• Though not conceptually hard, they were time-consuming, particularly in Part C.

7. Functions of a Single Variable

• 1 to 2 questions appeared.

• These were easy, involving basic limits or continuity-related ideas.

• Well-prepared candidates could solve them quickly.

8. Matrices and Idempotent Matrices

• 1 question from matrices and 1 from idempotent matrices were reported.

• Both were concept-based and straightforward, testing theoretical understanding rather than computation.

9. Systems of Equations

• A question involving infinite solutions, requiring the determination of parameters (such as aaa and bbb), appeared.

• This tested rank conditions and consistency, aligning well with JAM standards.

10. Applications of Derivatives

• A radius of curvature question was included.

• This was standard but required accurate differentiation and formula recall.

11. Series and Real Analysis

• No questions from the series or convergence were reported.

• Overall, real analysis had fewer questions than usual, marking a notable deviation from earlier trends.

12. Statistics

• Limited presence, but at least one question was indicated by student feedback.

Responses from students reflected mixed reactions. Some candidates felt the paper was easier after completion, while others maintained that it was overall tough, primarily due to length and integration-heavy sections. A common observation was that easy algebra and ODE questions balanced tougher calculus problems, leading to a paper that was selective but fair. The IIT JAM Mathematics 2026 paper emphasised applied mathematics, algebra, and calculus, with reduced focus on real analysis and series. Success depended less on memorisation and more on conceptual clarity, speed, and endurance, particularly in Part C. Candidates strong in algebra and differential equations gained an advantage, while integration remained the key differentiator.

IIT JAM Chemistry 2026 Exam Analysis: Shift 1

• Overall difficulty was easy to moderate

• Paper felt lengthy to many students

• Questions were mostly direct, but time-consuming

• MCQs had low sureness, as reported by some candidates

Physical Chemistry

• Considered difficult and lengthy

• Many students attempted around 11 questions from this section

• Questions were direct and formula-based, but calculations were long

• Topics asked:

  • First-order kinetics

  • Quantum chemistry

  • LMCT energy

• Physical chemistry acted as a rank-determining section

Inorganic Chemistry

• Difficulty level was easy to moderate

• Mostly conceptual and theory-based questions

• Topics asked:

  • BF₃ structure

  • Coordination chemistry

  • Fe₃O₄ (oxidation state and coordination related)

  • P₄O₈ (POP bond related)

  • Diborane reaction

  • Bond angle questions

• Inorganic chemistry was scoring for well-prepared students

Organic Chemistry

• Difficulty level ranged from moderate to tough

• Fewer direct reactions, more application-based questions

• Topics reported:

  • Terpene-related question

• Organic chemistry was less scoring compared to inorganic

More Observations

• Quantum chemistry question was confirmed

• Coordination chemistry had clear presence

• Applied and physical concepts dominated more than organic

• Compared to last year, some students felt the paper was tougher

• Easy-looking paper, but time management was crucial

• Physical chemistry decided the final score spread

• Inorganic chemistry provided balance and scoring opportunities

• Organic chemistry required careful thought, not guesswork

IIT JAM Biotechnology 2026 Exam Analysis: Shift 2

• Overall, the Biotechnology paper was easy to moderate, with many students feeling comfortable while attempting the paper, though confidence reduced in MSQ-type questions.

• MSQ questions were hard, as reported by multiple students, mainly due to close options and the need for exact conceptual clarity rather than guesswork.

• Numerical-type questions were present, including a question where the number of protons had to be calculated, which required careful interpretation of given data.

• A cell geometry question appeared, where cell shape and dimensions were given and students were asked to calculate cell surface area, combining biology with basic mathematical application.

• Interdisciplinary questions involving Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics were difficult, especially for students with weaker numerical backgrounds.

• A question from evolution, specifically the Founder Effect, was asked, testing conceptual understanding of population genetics.

• A trypsin-related question appeared, focusing on enzyme function and biological role.

• From bioinformatics, a question related to local alignment was asked, indicating the continued importance of computational biology concepts.

• Vitamin-related questions were present, linking nutrition with physiology and deficiency concepts.

• A question from brain physiology, specifically related to glial cells, was asked, testing knowledge of nervous system support cells.

• Plant hormones were tested, indicating coverage from plant physiology and regulatory mechanisms.

• Questions from the excretory system appeared, covering basic human physiology concepts.

• Overall, the paper emphasised basic biology, physiology, and applied concepts, rather than deep molecular mechanisms.

• Students reported that while Section A felt manageable, accuracy dropped in later sections due to MSQ difficulty and mixed-discipline numericals.

• The paper rewarded candidates with strong conceptual basics in biology, along with the ability to handle simple calculations and interdisciplinary thinking.

• Time management was less of an issue compared to Maths and Chemistry, but careful reading of MSQs was essential to avoid negative marking.

IIT JAM Physics 2026 Exam Analysis: Shift 2

• Overall Physics paper was tough, and many students found it more difficult compared to other subjects, mainly due to conceptual depth and numerical intensity.

• NAT (Numerical Answer Type) questions were tough, requiring precise calculations and strong conceptual understanding, with little room for approximation.

• Modern Physics had higher weightage and was difficult, making it one of the most challenging areas in the paper.

• Quantum Physics questions were asked, including conceptual and numerical problems, and some students felt these were time-consuming.

• Two questions came from LCR circuits, involving circuit analysis and application of resonance concepts.

• Thermodynamics was comparatively easy, and around 4–5 questions were asked, making it one of the more scoring sections in Physics.

• Optics was tough, with questions requiring careful interpretation rather than direct formula application.

• A polarisation question appeared from optics, testing conceptual clarity.

• A DC-related question came from quantum context, combining classical and modern physics ideas.

• Coordinate system–based questions were asked, involving vector analysis and spatial reasoning.

• A transistor question appeared, indicating the presence of basic semiconductor device concepts.

• Electronics had a good number of questions, making it an important section for scoring if fundamentals were clear.

• A Zener diode question was asked, focusing on its characteristics and application.

• An opaque-related question appeared, likely linked to optics or material properties.

• Overall, the Physics paper tested conceptual understanding, numerical accuracy, and stamina, with fewer direct or formula-based questions.

• Students with strong preparation in modern physics, electronics, and thermodynamics had an advantage, while optics and NAT sections proved to be rank differentiators.

• Time management and careful calculation were critical, especially in NAT and quantum-related problems.

IIT JAM Economics 2026 Exam Analysis: Shift 2

• The paper was largely theory-based, with limited emphasis on heavy calculations.

• Overall difficulty level was comparable to last year’s paper.

• Microeconomics was moderate in difficulty and not numerically intensive.

• A higher weightage of Statistics was observed compared to other sections.

• Around 2–3 questions were asked from the Indian Economy section.

• Questions related to LPG policy and Five Year Plans appeared in the paper.

• Very little mathematics was involved; only 2–3 questions required mathematical handling.

• In Macroeconomics, a strong focus was seen on the IS–LM framework.

• Approximately 4 questions were directly based on IS–LM, including intersection and income determination.

• About 4–5 questions were unpredictable, requiring conceptual clarity rather than pattern recognition.

• Only one small integration-based question appeared in the entire paper.

• The expected cutoff is likely to fall in the range of 75–78 marks.

IIT JAM 2026 Memory-Based Questions

BIOTECHNOLOGY

1. Which membrane protein requires ATP to transport substances across the membrane?
   a) Antiporter
   b) Symporter
   c) Pumps
   d) Ion channels

2. Which of the following is not a second messenger?
   a) Ca²⁺
   b) DAG
   c) cAMP
   d) K⁺

3. Which of the following is the most abundant phospholipid in the E. coli membrane?
   a) Phosphatidylcholine
   b) Serine
   c) Inositol
   d) Ethanolamine

4. Match the following vitamins with their deficiency conditions:
   Vitamins:

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin B6

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin K
  
  

Deficiency conditions:

• Prolonged wound repair

• Night blindness

• Bone softening

• Anaemia

5. Which of the following evolutionary processes causes the founder effect?

a) Mutualism
b) Genetic drift
c) Natural selection
d) Genetic recombination

6. Which of the following cell types is/are found in the human brain? (MSQ)

• Microglial cells

• Astrocytes

• Podocytes

• Oligodendrocytes

7. Which of the following methods are used in local alignment of nucleotide sequences?

• Needleman–Wunsch

• BLAST

• Smith–Waterman

• Neighbor Joining

CHEMISTRY

1. Anisole is treated with Na in liquid NH₃ using Et₂O as solvent, followed by quenching with D₂O.
   Predict the major product(s) and indicate the positions of deuterium incorporation.

2. A conjugated diene reacts with a nitro-substituted dienophile to give a cycloaddition product. The product is then treated with TiCl₃ under heating.
   Identify the overall transformation and predict the final product formed.

3. Pyrrole is treated with CHCl₃/KOH to give compound A, which on further reaction with NaNH₂ gives compound B.
   Identify compounds A and B from the given options.

4. In a McMurry coupling reaction carried out using TiCl₃/Zn–Cu, two carbonyl compounds undergo reductive coupling.
   Predict the stereochemical nature of the alkene formed and comment on whether the product is meso or racemic.

5. Which of the following forms of dimethylcyclohexane will produce an enantiomer upon chair flipping?
   
   a) cis-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane
   b) trans-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane
   c) cis-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane
   d) trans-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane

6. Consider the complexes [CrO₄]²⁻, [WO₄]²⁻, and [MoO₄]²⁻.
   Arrange them in the correct order of increasing ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) transition energy.

PHYSICS

1. Evaluate :
   (1 − i√3)³

2. A square matrix A satisfies
   det(A) = −1 and trace(A) = 1.
   Find the possible eigenvalues of A.

3. A periodic function is shown graphically over the interval (−π, π).
   Determine which Fourier coefficients are zero and which are non-zero, that is, identify whether a₀, aₙ, and bₙ vanish or not.

4. Evaluate the vector expression
   ∇ × (∇ × (xyz k̂)).

5. In the given op-amp circuit, resistors of equal value R are used.
   Find the output voltage V₀ in terms of the input voltages.

6. In the given BJT circuit with V_CC = 10 V, R_C = 1.2 kΩ, and R_E = 3.3 kΩ, determine the collector voltage V_C.

7. Minimise the Boolean expression:
   ĀBĈ + ĀBC + ABĈ + ABC

8. A body of mass 10 kg increases its speed from 2 m/s to 6 m/s in 10 s. Find the average power.

9. Which of the following statements are true for a first-order phase transition?
   (A) Cₚ → ∞ at T_c
   (B) ∂G/∂P is continuous
   (C) Two thermodynamic states are distinct
   (D) Entropy is discontinuous at T_c

MATHS

Question 1

Using combinations, evaluate the following sum and determine its nature:

ε₀ + ε₁ + ε₂ + ε₃ + ε₄ + ε₅ + ε₆

Determine whether the resulting value belongs to ℕ (natural numbers).

Question 2

Which of the following statements are false?

A. S₃ is a subgroup of S₄

B. ℤ₃ is a subgroup of S₄

C. S₃ is a quotient group of S₄

D. ℤ₆ is a quotient group of S₄

Question 3

Find the number of group homomorphisms from ℤₙ to ℤ₃₀.

Question 4

The general solution of a differential equation is

y(x) = C₁e⁻ˣ + C₂e²ˣ + γxe⁻ˣ

If y(x) satisfies

d²y/dx² + α dy/dx + βy = −e⁻ˣ

find the value of α(β + γ).

Question 5

Find the limit as n → ∞ of the sequence

√(n+1) / √(n² + 1)

√(n+2) / √(n² + 2)

√(n+3) / √(n² + 3)

…

√(2n) / √(n² + n)

Also determine whether the limit belongs to ℕ.

Question 6

Let G = P(ℕ), the power set of ℕ, with the operation

A ⊕ B = (A ∪ B) − (A ∩ B)

Which of the following statements are true?

A. G is abelian but not cyclic

B. G has an element of order 4

C. G has an element of order 8

D. ∅ is the identity element of G

IIT JAM 2025 Answer Key

This section contains the official or memory-based answer key for IIT JAM 2026, helping candidates cross-check their responses, evaluate performance, and analyse solutions.

IIT JAM 2026 Question Paper with Solutions

This section provides the full IIT JAM 2026 question paper along with step-by-step solutions, helping aspirants understand the solving approach, learn problem-solving strategies, and practice effectively for future attempts like IIT JAM 2027.

IIT JAM Preparation Tips – How to Score High

This section provides essential IIT JAM preparation tips, helping aspirants plan effectively, strengthen conceptual understanding, and improve speed and accuracy to score high in the exam.

Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Start by thoroughly understanding the IIT JAM exam pattern, marking scheme, and subject-wise syllabus. Each subject includes MCQs, Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Knowing the pattern helps in effective planning and focusing on high-weightage topics.

Create a Subject-Wise Study Plan

Divide your preparation across all subjects and chapters. Allocate more time to difficult or high-scoring topics while maintaining a balance between theory and numerical problem practice. A structured timetable ensures no topic is left untouched and reduces last-minute stress.

Strengthen Conceptual Clarity

Focus on understanding fundamental principles, derivations, and formulas rather than rote memorisation. Use NCERT textbooks and standard reference books to build a strong foundation in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biotechnology, or Economics.

Practice Previous Years’ Question Papers

Solving IIT JAM sample papers helps identify question trends, difficulty levels, and frequently tested topics. It improves problem-solving speed, builds confidence, and helps manage time effectively during the exam.

Take Regular Mock Tests

Full-length mock tests simulate the real IIT JAM environment. They enhance speed, accuracy, and exam confidence. Analyse mistakes after each test and revise weak areas to maximise scoring potential.

Focus on Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions

NAT questions carry significant marks and require precise calculation. Practice step-by-step numerical problems daily, memorise key formulas, and use shortcuts for faster and more accurate solving.

Revise Important Topics Regularly

Revision is essential. Maintain concise notes, formula sheets, and topic summaries. Focus on high-yield chapters that are frequently tested and revise them multiple times before the exam.

Manage Time Effectively During Preparation

Time management is crucial during preparation for the exam. Solve questions within a time limit, prioritise easier questions first, and allocate remaining time to difficult problems. Avoid spending too long on a single question.

Why IIT JAM Question Papers Are Important for Future Aspirants

• Understand exam pattern and overall paper structure

• Identify frequently asked topics across subjects

• Assess the difficulty level of MCQs, MSQs, and NAT questions

• Improve conceptual clarity through real exam questions

• Enhance problem-solving skills and analytical thinking

• Practice time management under exam-like conditions

• Recognise question trends and repeated concepts

• Build exam confidence by solving authentic papers

• Strengthen accuracy in Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions

• Plan focused preparation using topic-wise weightage insights

IIT JAM 2026 Mock Tests

Candidates must participate in the IIT JAM 2026 mock tests as part of their preparation. These mock tests play a crucial role in assessing one’s readiness and understanding the difficulty level of the exam. Below are links to the official IIT JAM mock tests, created by IIT Delhi, the exam’s conducting body. Candidates are strongly encouraged to practice these mock tests before appearing for the actual examination.