Are you an aspiring candidate who appeared for the IIT JAM 2026 exam? Are you eager to understand your performance before the final results are declared? The release of the IIT JAM 2026 answer key marks a crucial milestone for all candidates. This detailed guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from downloading the answer key, understanding the scoring process, raising objections, and preparing for the subsequent admission process. Read on to get comprehensive insights into the IIT JAM 2026 answer key and related updates.
IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key (Out) – Complete Overview
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has officially released the provisional answer key for IIT JAM 2026 on February 24, 2026. This answer key serves as a preliminary response sheet that helps candidates evaluate their performance based on their responses in the exam.
Key Details at a Glance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IIT JAM 2026 – Joint Admission Test for Masters |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay |
| Exam Date | February 15, 2026 |
| Answer Key Status | Provisional Answer Key Released |
| Answer Key Release Date | February 24, 2026 |
| Objection Window | Open until 11:59:59 PM, February 27, 2026 |
| Official Portal for Access | JOAPS Portal |
| Result Date | Expected by March 20, 2026 |
The answer key and response sheet are crucial tools for candidates to assess their performance and estimate their scores before the final results are announced.
How to Access and Download the IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these instructions to access and download the provisional answer key for IIT JAM 2026:
- Visit the official JAM 2026 website: jam2026.iitb.ac.in.
- Click on the “Candidate Login” link for JOAPS portal.
- Enter your enrolment ID or registered email ID along with your password.
- Complete the security verification (captcha or security question).
- Navigate to the dashboard and select the “Answer Key / Response Sheet” section.
- Choose your subject paper to view and download the answer key PDF.
Note: Provisional answer keys are accessible only after login. Final, official answer keys for various papers will be uploaded later, enabling accurate score calculations and final judgments.
Response Sheet & Question Papers
Availability
The response sheet, which contains your recorded answers, was made available around February 18, 2026. The master question papers, which include the official questions and options, can be accessed through the JOAPS portal or may be hosted separately for reference.
Using Response Sheets for Score Calculation
To accurately determine your probable score, you need the following:
- Provisional or final answer key
- Your response sheet
- The official question paper (to match your responses with the correct questions)
How to Calculate Your Estimated Score
Understanding the Exam Sections
The IIT JAM 2026 exam comprises three main sections, each with its scoring pattern:
| Section | Question Type | Marks Distribution | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 10 questions × 1 mark + 20 questions × 2 marks | -1/3 for 1-mark questions, -2/3 for 2-mark questions |
| Section B | Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) | Typically 10 questions (marks vary) | No negative marking |
| Section C | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | Questions requiring numerical responses (marks vary) | No negative marking |
Scoring Calculation Steps
Follow these steps to estimate your score:
- Count your correct answers: Record how many answers you got right in each section.
- Apply negative marking: Deduct marks for incorrectly answered MCQs in Section A according to the negative marking scheme.
- Calculate total marks: Sum up the marks from all correct answers, excluding negative marks for Sections B and C since they have no negative marking.
- Final score estimation: The total score is the sum of correct responses minus negative marks for Section A, out of a maximum of 100.
Example Calculation
An example to illustrate the process:
Suppose:
- Correct 1-mark MCQs: 18 (out of 10)
- Incorrect 1-mark MCQs: 2 (penalized)
- Correct 2-mark MCQs: 15 (out of 20)
- Incorrect 2-mark MCQs: 1 (penalized)
- MSQ/NAT responses: All answered correctly
Score calculation:
- 1-mark MCQs: 18 × 1 = 18 points – 2 × (-1/3) = 2/3 points
- 2-mark MCQs: 15 × 2 = 30 points – 1 × (-2/3) = 2/3 points
- Total approximate score: 18 + 30 + (response sheet points) = around 48 + other marks from MSQ/NAT answers.
Raising Objections Against the Answer Key
Objection Window & Process
The objection period for the provisional answer key is crucial as it allows candidates to identify discrepancies or errors. The process is as follows:
- Login to the JOAPS portal.
- Select the “Challenge Answer Key” option.
- Choose the specific question(s) you wish to challenge.
- Provide a justification and upload supporting documents if necessary.
- Pay the objection fee, generally around ₹500 per question (refundable if your objection is accepted; verify specifics on the portal).
- Submit before the deadline — 11:59:59 PM, February 27, 2026.
Important Tips
- Be precise and provide valid references or authoritative sources for your objections.
- Keep track of your submissions and confirmation receipts.
- Post-closure, the IIT Bombay authorities will evaluate all objections and release a final, corrected answer key.
Results and Next Steps
Result Announcement
The results based on the final answer key are scheduled to be declared on March 20, 2026. Candidates can download their scorecards from the JOAPS portal.
How the Results Are Calculated
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Normalization | Scores are normalized to account for exam difficulty variations. |
| Category Cut-offs | Minimum qualifying marks differ across categories. |
| All India Rank (AIR) | Based on normalized scores, adjusted for category cut-offs. |
Post-Result Process
Qualified candidates can apply for M.Sc., M.Sc.-Ph.D., and integrated Ph.D. programs at IITs through the JAM admission portal, which opens once the results are announced.
Important Dates for IIT JAM 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| JOAPS registration start | September 05, 2025 |
| Registration deadline | October 12, 2025 |
| Admit card availability | January 05, 2026 |
| Exam date | February 15, 2026 |
| Provisional answer key & response sheet release | February 24, 2026 |
| Objection deadline | February 27, 2026, 11:59:59 PM |
| Final answer key (expected) | March 2026 |
| Result announcement | March 20, 2026 |
Useful Links & Resources
- Download IIT JAM 2026 Answer Key & Login to JOAPS
- Official IIT JAM 2026 Website
- Candidate Login Portal
**For all official updates, always refer to the IIT JAM official website and the JOAPS portal.**
Preparing to challenge the provisional answer key or awaiting your results? Ensure you stay updated with the official communication channels, and good luck with your IIT JAM journey!