IIT JAM 2027 registration extended to October 22; exam on February 14

IIT Kharagpur has extended the registration deadline for IIT JAM 2027 to Thursday, 22 October 2026, giving science graduates three more days to apply after the earlier deadline of 19 October. Applications are made online through the JOAPS portal at jam.iitkgp.ac.in. The exam itself will be held as a computer-based test on 14 February 2027, with results scheduled for 18 March 2027, according to the published schedule.

IIT JAM, the Joint Admission Test for Masters, is the main entrance exam for science graduates who want a master's degree, such as an MSc, at the IITs and several other leading institutes. For students in the final year of a BSc or who have recently graduated, it is one of the few national routes into these programmes, and missing the registration window means waiting a full year.

The extension matters most to students who were unsure about which paper to choose, were collecting documents, or faced payment problems close to the original deadline. It also comes in a busy period: the festival season and other exam forms, such as GATE 2027 and UGC NET December 2026, have overlapped with JAM registration this month. Three extra days can make the difference for a student juggling several applications.

Students should not treat the new date as a sign that more extensions will follow. Reports describe 22 October as the final chance to apply, and the next steps, such as the correction window and later the admit cards, depend on registration closing on time.

The fee structure is worth understanding before you pay. Candidates can choose one test paper or two, and the fee rises with the second paper: Rs 1,000 for one paper and Rs 1,350 for two for female, SC, ST and PwD candidates, and Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,700 for others. A second paper can widen the range of programmes a student can apply to, but it also means preparing for two subjects by February. Because the exam is computer-based, students who have not taken an online test before should use the mock tests usually offered by exam organisers to get used to the format.

What to do next: if you have not yet applied, complete the JOAPS form well before the deadline on 22 October, keep a copy of the payment receipt, and check your chosen test paper and exam city carefully. If you have already applied, note the correction window from 10 November in case you need to fix a mistake, and remember that changes then may carry a fee.

Short-term: More candidates can complete their applications this week. The final applicant numbers will be known after 22 October, after which the institute will move on to corrections and admit cards.

Long-term: The JAM score decides admission to master's programmes that feed into research careers, PhD programmes and jobs in science and technology. A smooth registration process helps more students from smaller towns and colleges compete for these seats.

Who is affected: Final-year BSc students and recent science graduates across India, coaching institutes, and the IITs and other institutes that admit students through JAM.

Questions and Answers