JAM 2027 registration closes today (Oct 19); last chance for 3,000 IIT seats

By TUF News Desk · Published 19 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

The JAM 2027 application window closes at 11:59 PM today, October 19, 2026. Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, the organising institute, has said it does not plan to extend the date again.

The deadline was pushed once already, from October 12 to October 19. That makes this the final window for candidates who want a shot at the 23 IITs this year. Apply on the official JAM portal (JOAPS) and do it early in the day. Payment gateways and upload queues slow down as thousands of last-minute applicants log in together.

What JAM 2027 covers

JAM, the Joint Admission Test for Masters, is the national entrance exam for M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D. and other postgraduate science programmes. This cycle offers more than 3,000 seats across 89 programmes at the 23 participating IITs, with other institutes also accepting the score for admission.

The exam is a three-hour computer-based test with 60 questions for 100 marks. Papers mix multiple-choice questions, multiple-select questions and numerical-answer-type questions. Negative marking applies only to the multiple-choice section.

Key dates after today

The test is on February 14, 2027, a Sunday, in two sessions: forenoon (9:30 AM to 12:30 PM) and afternoon (2:30 PM to 5:30 PM). Check which session your paper falls in before you register. Results are scheduled for March 18, 2027.

If you spot an error in your submitted form, the correction window opens on November 10. Each correction costs extra, so review every field before you hit submit. One practical tip from the institute: keep your JOAPS password safe till the results and the scorecard are out.

Who can apply, and what it costs

You can apply if you have completed a bachelor’s degree or will finish your final year in 2027. There is no age limit and no cap on the number of attempts.

The fee is Rs 2,000 for one test paper, reduced to Rs 1,000 for female candidates and candidates from the SC, ST and PwD categories. For two papers, the fee is Rs 2,700, or Rs 1,350 for the concession categories. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Documents to keep ready

Before you open the form, keep these at hand:

• Class 10 marksheet or certificate, used to verify your name and date of birth
• A recent passport-size photograph, 3.5 by 4.5 cm and 50 to 200 KB, on a light background
• A scanned signature inside a 2 by 7 cm box, 50 to 150 KB, in black or dark blue ink
• OBC-NCL and EWS certificates issued on or after April 1, 2026, where applicable
• PwD certificate and Unique Disability ID number, where applicable

The photo and signature specs are strict. IIT Kharagpur emails candidates individually when an upload looks pixelated or breaks the size rules, so fix any flagged upload the same day. Our admission documents checklist walks through the standard paperwork for any entrance application.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still apply for JAM 2027?

The application window closed at 11:59 PM on October 19, 2026. IIT Kharagpur extended the date once, from October 12, and is not expected to extend it again.

When is the JAM 2027 exam?

February 14, 2027, in computer-based mode, with forenoon (9:30 AM to 12:30 PM) and afternoon (2:30 PM to 5:30 PM) sessions. Results are scheduled for March 18, 2027.

What is the JAM 2027 application fee?

Rs 2,000 for one test paper (Rs 1,000 for female, SC, ST and PwD candidates) and Rs 2,700 for two papers (Rs 1,350 for the concession categories). The fee is non-refundable.

When can I correct mistakes in the JAM 2027 form?

The correction window opens on November 10, 2026, and each correction carries a separate fee.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: EdexLive, The Times of India, NDTV