IIT JAM Physics syllabus 2026 covers topics from various areas, some of which are covered by candidates during their boards. Partial Derivatives, Jacobian, Newton’s Laws of Motion and Applications, and Bernoulli’s Theorem are included in the syllabus.
The IIT JAM Physics syllabus 2026 is structured around seven core pillars that transition from the fundamental language of Mathematical Methods and Mechanics to the sophisticated realms of Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics. With a total of 60 questions worth 100 marks delivered in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format, the IIT JAM exam pattern for Physics remains a rigorous mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. Whether you are navigating the complexities of Maxwell’s Equations or calculating the efficiency of a Carnot Cycle, your success hinges on aligning your preparation with the latest weightage trends and topic distributions.
IIT JAM Physics Syllabus 2026 PDF Link
Understanding the IIT JAM syllabus 2026 is not just about knowing what to study, but also identifying high-yield sections like Electricity & Magnetism and Modern Physics, which together often account for over 40% of the paper. By mastering the language of Mathematical Methods early on, you can solve complex problems across all other sections with much greater speed and precision. You can check the table given below to download the IIT JAM Physics syllabus.
| Particulars | Direct Link |
| IIT JAM Physics Syllabus | Download PDF |
IIT JAM Physics Syllabus Chapter-Wise 2026
Each chapter in the 2026 syllabus serves a specific purpose in the IIT JAM 2026 three-section format. Mathematical Methods acts as the "utility chapter," providing the tools needed to solve the Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions prevalent in Mechanics and Thermodynamics. Meanwhile, Modern Physics and Electricity & Magnetism often form the bulk of the Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), where a single question might test multiple sub-topics simultaneously, such as combining special relativity with quantum uncertainty.
Mathematical Methods:
- Calculus of Single and Multiple Variables
- Partial Derivatives
- Jacobian
- Imperfect and Perfect Differentials
- Taylor Expansion
- Fourier Series
- Vector Algebra
- Vector Calculus
- Multiple Integrals
- Divergence Theorem
- Green’s Theorem
- Stokes’ Theorem
- First Order Equations and Linear Second Order Differential Equations With Constant Coefficients
- Matrices and Determinants
- Algebra of Complex Numbers.
Mechanics and General Properties of Matter:
- Newton’s Laws of Motion and Applications
- Velocity and Acceleration In Cartesian
- Polar and Cylindrical Coordinate Systems
- Uniformly Rotating Frame
- Centrifugal and Coriolis Forces
- Motion Under A Central Force
- Kepler’s Laws
- Gravitational Law and Field
- Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces
- System of Particles
- Center of Mass
- Equation of Motion of The CM
- Conservation of Linear and Angular Momentum
- Conservation of Energy
- Variable Mass Systems
- Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
- Rigid Body Motion
- Fixed Axis Rotations
- Rotation and Translation
- Moments of Inertia and Products of Inertia, Parallel and Perpendicular Axes Theorem
- Principal Moments and Axes
- Kinematics of Moving Fluids
- Equation of Continuity
- Euler’s Equation
- Bernoulli’s Theorem.
Oscillations, Waves and Optics
- Differential Equation for Simple Harmonic Oscillator and Its General Solution
- Superposition of Two Or More Simple Harmonic Oscillators
- Lissajous Figures
- Damped and Forced Oscillators
- Resonance
- Wave Equation
- Traveling and Standing Waves In One-Dimension
- Energy Density and Energy Transmission In Waves
- Group Velocity and Phase Velocity
- Sound Waves In Media
- Doppler Effect
- Fermat’s Principle
- General Theory of Image Formation
- Thick Lens
- Thin Lens and Lens Combinations
- Interference of Light
- Optical Path Retardation
- Fraunhofer Diffraction
- Rayleigh Criterion and Resolving Power
- Diffraction Gratings
- Polarization: Linear
- Circular and Elliptic Polarization
- Double Physics (Ph)
Electricity and Magnetism:
- Coulomb’s Law, Gauss’s Law
- Electric Field and Potential
- Electrostatic Boundary Conditions
- Solution of Laplace’s Equation for Simple Cases
- Conductors
- Capacitors
- Dielectrics
- Dielectric Polarization
- Volume and Surface Charges
- Electrostatic Energy
- Biot-Savart Law
- Ampere’s Law
- Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction
- Self and Mutual Inductance
- Alternating Currents
- Simple Dc and Ac Circuits With R, L and C Components
- Displacement Current
- Maxwell’s Equations and Plane Electromagnetic Waves
- Poynting’s Theorem
- Reflection and Refraction At A Dielectric Interface
- Transmission and Reflection Coefficients (Normal Incidence Only)
- Lorentz Force and Motion of Charged Particles In Electric and Magnetic Fields.
Kinetic Theory, Thermodynamics:
- Elements of Kinetic Theory of Gases
- Velocity Distribution and Equipartition of Energy
- Specific Heat of Mono-
- Di- and Tri-Atomic Gases
- Ideal Gas
- Van-Der-Waals Gas and Equation of State
- Mean Free Path
- Laws of Thermodynamics
- Zeroth Law and Concept of Thermal Equilibrium
- First Law and Its Consequences
- Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes
- Reversible, Irreversible and Quasi-Static Processes
- Second Law and Entropy. Carnot Cycle
- Maxwell’s Thermodynamic Relations and Simple Applications
- Thermodynamic Potentials and Their Applications
- Phase Transitions and Clausius-Clapeyron Equation
- Ideas of Ensembles
- Maxwell-Boltzmann
- Fermi Dirac and Bose-Einstein Distributions.
Modern Physics:
- Inertial Frames and Galilean Invariance
- Postulates of Special Relativity
- Lorentz Transformations
- Length Contraction
- Time Dilation
- Relativistic Velocity Addition Theorem
- Mass Energy Equivalence
- Blackbody Radiation
- Photoelectric Effect
- Compton Effect
- Bohr’s Atomic Model, X-Rays
- Wave-Particle Duality
- Uncertainty Principle
- The Superposition Principle
- Calculation of Expectation Values
- Schrödinger Equation and Its Solution for One
- Two and Three Dimensional Boxes
- Solution of Schrödinger Equation for The One Dimensional Harmonic Oscillator
- Reflection and Transmission At A Step Potential
- Pauli Exclusion Principle
- Structure of Atomic Nucleus
- Mass and Binding Energy
- Radioactivity 1/2 and Its Applications
- Laws of Radioactive Decay.
Solid State Physics, Devices and Electronics:
- Crystal Structure, Bravais Lattices and Basis
- Miller Indices
- X-Ray Diffraction and Bragg's Law
- Intrinsic and Extrinsic Semiconductors
- Variation of Resistivity With Temperature
- Fermi Level
- P-N Junction Diode
- I-V Characteristics
- Zener Diode and Its Applications
- Bjt: Characteristics In Cb, Ce, Cc Modes
- Single Stage Amplifier
- Two Stage R-C Coupled Amplifiers
- Simple Oscillators: Barkhausen Condition
- Sinusoidal Oscillators
- Opamp and Applications: Inverting and Non Inverting Amplifier
- Boolean Algebra: Binary Number Systems
- Conversion From One System To Another System
- Binary Addition and Subtraction
- Logic Gates And, Or, Not, Nand, Nor Exclusive Or
- Truth Tables
- Combination of Gates
- De Morgan’s Theorem
Also Check: IIT JAM Biotechnology Syllabus 2026
IIT JAM Physics Previous Year’s Question Papers
The official authorities release the IIT JAM previous year’s question papers. The questions are based on the IIT JAM Physics syllabus 2026. They offer a great opportunity for the candidates to understand the question pattern. Candidates can download the questions and practice.
| Years | Question Paper Links |
| 2022 | Download Now |
| 2021 | Download Now |
Seat Matrix for IIT JAM Physics 2026
The number of seats available for Physics courses under each IIT is variant. Therefore, the seat matrix is given below. Additionally, the +1 denotes seats reserved for PwD candidates from each category.
| IITs | GEN | EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
| IIT Bhilai | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2+1 | 1 |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | 10 | 3 | 7+1 | 4 | 2 |
| IIT Bombay | 23 + 1 | 6 | 16 | 8+1 | 4+1 |
| IIT Delhi | 26 + 2 | 7 | 18 | 9+1 | 5 |
| IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | 21 + 1 | 6 | 15 | 8 | 3+1 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | 14 + 1 | 4 | 10+1 | 5 | 3 |
| IIT Guwahati | 23 + 1 | 5+1 | 15+1 | 9 | 5 |
| IIT Hyderabad | 15 + 1 | 4 | 11 | 5+1 | 3 |
| IIT Indore | 12 | 2+1 | 8+1 | 4 | 2 |
| IIT Jammu | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1+1 |
| IIT Jodhpur | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| IIT Kanpur | 14 + 1 | 3+1 | 10 | 6 | 3 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 23 + 1 | 6 | 15+1 | 9 | 3+1 |
| IIT Madras | 21 + 1 | 5 | 14+1 | 7+1 | 4 |
| IIT Mandi | 11 + 1 | 3 | 7+1 | 4 | 3 |
| IIT Palakkad | 8 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1+1 |
| IIT Patna | 12 + 1 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| IIT Roorkee | 12 | 3 | 8+1 | 4 | 1+1 |
| IIT Ropar | 9 + 1 | 2 | 6+1 | 4 | 2 |
| IIT Tirupati | 7 | 2 | 5+1 | 2+1 | 2 |
| IIT (BHU) Varanasi | 10 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 1+1 |
IIT JAM Physics Recommended Books 2026
Books are the only aid that can sail the candidate's boats. Therefore, here are the IIT JAM best books 2026 for the IIT JAM Physics syllabus 2026. Candidates must buy and skim through the chapters.
| Books | Authors |
| Introduction to Solid State Physics | Charles Kittel & Paul McEuen |
| Electronic devices and circuit theory | Boylestad and Nashelsky |
| Op-Amps and Linear Integrated Circuits | Ramakant A. Gayakwad |
| Digital Fundamentals | Floyd |
| IIT-JAM: MSc (Physics) Previous Papers & Practice Test Papers (Solved) | R Gupta |
| Solved Papers & Practice Sets IIT JAM (Joint Admission Test for MSc from IITs) – Physics | Arihant Publications |
| Elementary Solid State Physics | Omar |
| Statistical Physics | Reif |
Also Check: IIT JAM Chemistry Syllabus 2026
IIT JAM Physics Preparation Tips 2026
IIT JAM Physics syllabus 2026 requires proper preparation to crack the exam. The syllabus is mentioned above, and candidates should start preparing after assessing it. Some of the other IIT JAM preparatorion tips 2026 are as follows:
- Follow the best books: candidates should buy the best books that cover the IIT JAM Physics syllabus 2026. Additionally, if the books are available online, they can be downloaded too. Further, candidates should review the entire syllabus before jumping into the preparation.
Some of the books may have repeated content; therefore, choosing a book that will cover all the topics and help in preparation is advisable. - Create a timetable: since the syllabus is elaborate, candidates must create a timetable for preparation. The timetable should be created to cover all the topics and have separate time for revision.
Candidates must consciously choose to cover the unknown topics first and then proceed to the known ones, which will take less time. Additionally, the syllabus must be covered at least a week before the exam so that there is enough time for mock tests and revision. - Make notes: chapters from the IIT JAM physics syllabus 2026 will have formulas; candidates are suggested to create notes of the formulas or insert the keywords in a note that will help them in easy recapitulation. It will also help to revise before the exam.
Moreover, candidates can glance through the notes right before the exam. - Revision and mock tests: Revision and mock tests are integral to the preparation. Candidates must revise all the chapters well before the exam and appear for mock tests.
As we all know, mock tests serve the purpose of the mirror to reflect the preparation and present an idea of expected marks. Therefore, candidates must make a note to appear for mock tests and work on the areas that need to be sufficiently covered. - Practice, practice, and practice: the only way to crack any exam is to practice it and make it the mantra until the exam is over. Candidates must receive help from the sample or test papers to ace their game.
They can solve the questions themselves and check their answers to measure their progress. Additionally, it will broaden the scope of improvement.
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IIT JAM Physics 2026 is a CBT with 60 questions for 100 marks. -
Exam includes MCQs, MSQs, and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions. -
Electricity & Magnetism + Modern Physics often account for over 40%. -
Syllabus structured around seven core pillars of physics.
