The GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2026 (CY) has been released on the official website by IIT Guwahati.. You can check the syllabus given in the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
- The syllabus will cover three sections: Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry, along with General Aptitude.
- Engineering Mathematics is excluded from the GATE CY syllabus 2026.
- The test will be conducted in Computer-Based Test(CBT) mode and will carry a total of 100 marks.
- The exam will be of 3 hours, with 15 marks distributed to General Aptitude and 85 marks to Core Chemistry.
- The question paper will include Multiple Choice Questions( MCQs), Multiple Select Questions( MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type( NAT) questions.
The GATE Chemistry paper serves as an assessment for admission to postgraduate programs such as M. Tech, PhD, and also for recruitment in Public Sector Undertakings(PSUs).

Key Summary
- The GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2026( CY) has been released by IIT Guwahati, the organising institute for GATE 2026.
- The syllabus primarily covers three sections — Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry, along with General Aptitude, which is common to all GATE papers.
- The test will be conducted in Computer- Grounded Test (CBT) mode and will carry a total of 100 marks.
- It'll have a duration of 3 hours, with 15 marks distributed to General Aptitude and 85 marks to Core Chemistry.
- The question paper will include Multiple Choice Questions( MCQs), Multiple Select Questions( MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type( NAT) questions.
- The GATE Chemistry paper serves for admission to postgraduate programs such as M.Sc., Ph.D., and PSUs.

Also Read
- What is the GATE Chemistry Syllabus?
- GATE CY Syllabus Highlights
- GATE Chemistry Questions Based on Previous Year Papers
- GATE Chemistry Syllabus Weightage
- GATE Chemistry Syllabus Previous Year Question Papers
-
- GATE CY Marking Scheme
- Recommended GATE Chemistry Books
- GATE Chemistry Preparation Plan for 1 Month
- GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2026 FAQs
What is the GATE Chemistry Syllabus?
Two main parts define the GATE Chemistry formal syllabus :
- General aptitude
- Chemistry Syllabus
Candidates can begin preparing for the test by downloading the official GATE CY curriculum 2026 from the official website at gate2026.iitg.ac.in.
Engineering Mathematics is not included in the GATE CY Syllabus.
The sections in the GATE CY Syllabus are discussed as follows:
| Section | Main Topics |
|---|---|
| General Aptitude | Verbal, Quantitative, Reasoning, Data Interpretation |
| Physical Chemistry |
|
| Inorganic Chemistry |
|
| Organic Chemistry |
|
Also Read:
Ques. What trend has changed in the GATE CY Syllabus since 2025?
Ans. The GATE CY syllabus trends have changed vastly in terms of questions, as discussed below. Around 12-18% students qualified for the GATE CY exam in 2025, which is expected to be the same for 2026.
| Sl.No. | Emphasis On | Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Increased Focus on Numerical Questions | Physical Chemistry |
| 2 | Conceptual Emphasis | Organic Chemistry |
| 3 | Cross-disciplinary Applications | Biomolecules |
Ques. What are the main topics included in Inorganic Chemistry?
Ans. The main topics in Inorganic Chemistry, in the GATE CY syllabus, are as follows:
- Main Group elements
- Transition elements
- Lanthanides & Actinides
- Organometallics
GATE CY Syllabus Highlights
The GATE Chemistry Syllabus contains multiple types of questions, like MCQ, MSQ, and NAT. Some other key features of the GATE syllabus for biotechnology are:
| Civil Engineering Paper Code | CY |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Number of Questions | 65 |
| Types of Questions | MCQs, MSQs, and NAT |
| Number of Sections | General Aptitude (GA) + Engineering Mathematics & Civil Engineering Subjects |
| Weightage by Section |
|
| Total Time Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
Also Read:
Ques. What are the changes in GATE 2026?
Ans. The GATE 2026 will have the same syllabus for the GATE CY 2026 paper, comprising MCQs, MSQs, and NATs.
- The NAT Questions are still asked, but with changes in the marking scheme.
- The Exam duration is the same as 3 hours with a total of 100 marks.
Ques. Which IIT will set the paper for GATE 2026?
Ans. The GATE Exam is conducted by IISc or 7 IITs on a rotational basis for organising the exam every year.
| Year | Conducting Institute |
|---|---|
| GATE 2026 | IIT Guwahati |
| GATE 2025 | IISc Bangalore |
| GATE 2024 | IIT Kanpur |
| GATE 2023 | IIT Kanpur |
| GATE 2022 | IIT Kharagpur |
| GATE 2021 | IIT Bombay |
GATE Chemistry Syllabus: General Aptitude
The GA section of GATE 2026 carries 15 marks and evaluates verbal, numerical, and analytical skills common to all papers.
- GA includes verbal ability (~7–8 marks) covering grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and verbal reasoning.
- Numerical ability (~7–8 marks) tests arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation, probability, and combinatorics.
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Aptitude |
|
| Quantitative Aptitude |
|
| Analytical Aptitude |
|
| Spatial Aptitude |
|
Also Read:
Ques. In GA, are negative marks present?
Ans. General Aptitude has the following negative marking system:
- MCQs: Wrong answers have negative marking (1/3 for 1-mark, 2/3 for 2-mark questions).
- NAT: No negative marking.
Ques. How many questions are present in General Aptitude?
Ans. The following are the weightage of General Aptitude and the number of questions in the GATE exam:
- 10–12 questions, one to two points
- Around 15% of the Gate score overall.
GATE Chemistry Syllabus
The GATE CY core Syllabus for 2026 will include three sections, namely:
- Physical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Among the above, Inorganic Chemistry carries the most weightage in theoretical questions, while Physical Chemistry involves more numerical questions. Organic Chemistry will include structures and molecular visualisation.
Section I: Physical Chemistry:
The Physical Chemistry section of the GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2026 focuses on understanding the principles that govern the geste of chemical systems.
- It begins with infinitesimal structure and amount chemistry, which explains the nature of tittles, orbitals, and electron configurations grounded on amount mechanical generalities.
- Molecular structure and chemical bonding cover propositions similar to the valence bond proposition, the molecular orbital proposition, to describe how tittles combine to form molecules.
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Structure |
|
| Group Theory |
|
| Spectroscopy |
|
| Equilibrium |
|
| Kinetics |
|
| Surfaces and Interfaces |
|
Section II- Inorganic Chemistry
The Inorganic Chemistry section of the GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2026 focuses on understanding the structure, properties, and their composites.
- It begins with the periodic table and periodic parcels, where you will study trends such as infinitesimal size, ionization energy, electron affinity, and electronegativity that help prognosticate chemical reactivity.
- The syllabus also covers the s-, p-, d-, and f- block elements, agitating their electronic configurations, oxidation states, and collaboration and important composites.
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Main Group Elements |
|
| Transition Elements |
|
| Lanthanides and Actinides |
|
| Organometallics |
|
| Radioactivity |
|
| Bioinorganic Chemistry |
|
| Solids |
|
| Instrumental Methods of Analysis |
|
Section III - Organic Chemistry
The GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2026's organic chemistry division emphasises knowledge of the structure, bonding, and reactivity of organic molecules.
- It starts with structure and bonding, thus explaining how carbon generates covalent bonds, hybridisation ( sp, sp², sp³), resonance, and the idea of aromaticity in organic molecules.
- Including chirality, optic activity, conformational analysis, and the difference between enantiomers and diastereomers, the content of stereochemistry includes the three-dimensional arrangement of titles in molecules.
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Stereochemistry |
|
| Reaction Mechanisms |
|
| Organic Synthesis |
|
| Pericyclic Reactions and Photochemistry |
|
| Heterocyclic Compounds |
|
| Biomolecules |
|
| Experimental Techniques of Organic Chemistry |
|
Also Read:
Ques. What should I study under pericyclic and photochemical responses?
Ans. An analysis of what should be studied from the pericyclic and photochemical responses chapter is given below:
- Under pericyclic responses, you should concentrate on electrocyclic responses, cycloadditions, and sigmatropic rearrangements grounded on orbital harmony rules(Woodward–Hoffman).
- For photochemistry, study the effects of light on organic molecules, including isomerisation and bond dissociation processes.
Ques. Are numerical problems asked from the Organic Chemistry section?
Ans. Yes, the Organic Chemistry section in GATE Chemistry 2026 may include numerical or calculation-based problems
- These numerical problems generally appear in topics where quantitative reasoning is required rather than simple memorisation.
- Common areas include:
- Spectroscopy
- Stereochemistry
- Reaction Stoichiometry and Yields
- Reaction Mechanisms with Quantitative Data
GATE Chemistry Questions Based on Previous Year Papers
Based on the previous year’s question papers, the common trend of questions expected to arise from the GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2025 is mentioned below:
- Chemical Equilibrium and Chemical Kinetics from Physical Chemistry have the most weightage of 4 and 5 questions, respectively.
- Inorganic Chemistry has a chapter on the Main Group elements, which carries the most weightage of 4 questions.
| Section | Number of Questions | Section | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Equilibrium | 4 | Spectroscopy | 2 |
| Chemical Kinetics | 5 | Main Group Elements | 4 |
| Group Theory | 3 | Organometallics | 3 |
| Transitional Elements | 3 | Structure | 3 |
| Stereochemistry | 4 | Spectroscopy | 2 |
| Organics Synthesis | 5 | Solids | 2 |
| Biomolecules | 2 | Radioactivity | 2 |
| Experimentation Techniques in Organic Chemistry | 2 | Heterocyclic Compounds: | 2 |
| Reaction Mechanisms | 5 | Pericyclic Reactions and Photochemistry | 2 |
Also Read:
Ques. Which portion from Physical Chemistry has the most weightage in the GATE CY exam 2026?
Ans. The most important chapters in Physical Chemistry are as follows:
- Chemical Equilibrium, consisting of 4 questions, has the most weightage.
- Chemical Kinetics, comprising several numericals, asks about 5 questions each year.
Ques. How much weightage is given to Organic Chemistry Topics?
Ans. Organic Chemistry, a major portion of the GATE CY Syllabus, contributes a significant weightage. The most important topics included from Organic Chemistry are:
- Stereochemistry: 4 questions
- Organics Synthesis: 5 questions
GATE Chemistry Syllabus Weightage
The approximate topic-wise weightage for the GATE Chemistry syllabus is as follows:
- Physical Chemistry: Highest weighted average of 28% each year.
- Inorganic Chemistry: Low weightage of 20% asked each year.
- Organic Chemistry: Heavy-weight topics, contributing 28%.
| Section | Topic | Approximate Weightage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Chemistry | Chemical Equilibrium | 6 |
| Chemical Kinetics | 8 | |
| Group Theory | 4 | |
| Thermodynamics | 8 | |
| Inorganic Chemistry | Coordination Chemistry | 11 |
| Main Group Elements | 5 | |
| Organometallics | 3 | |
| Bioinorganic Chemistry | 2 | |
| Organic Chemistry | Reaction Mechanisms | 15 |
| Stereochemistry | 5 | |
| Spectroscopy | 5 | |
| Biomolecules | 3 |
Also Check:
Ques. From which part are numerical questions asked in the GATE CY paper?
Ans. The GATE CY paper asks numerical questions mostly from Physical Chemistry, from the chapters mentioned below. It is important to revise these chapters thoroughly to score more marks in NATs.
- Chemical Kinetics- 8 questions
- Thermodynamics- 8 questions
Ques. How many GATE CY mock tests should I take to excel in the examination?
Ans. There is no fixed number of mock tests that you should take to excel in the examination. Although a strategy is given below:
| Sl.No. | Details |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aim to take the maximum number of mock tests for both General Aptitude and the Chemistry syllabus. |
| 2 | You can take as many mock tests here. |
GATE Chemistry Syllabus Previous Year Question Papers
A consolidated table of the previous-year question papers is given below:
| Session | |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Download Question Paper |
| 2024 | Download Question Paper |
| 2023 | Download Question Paper |
| 2022 | Download Question Paper |
| 2021 | Download Question Paper |
| 2020 | Download Question Paper |
GATE Exam Pattern for Chemistry
The examination has a total of 65 questions, all of which aggregate to a total of 100 marks. Candidates should be informed of the structure of marks and the distribution of questions.
- General Awareness (GA): 15 Points; Engineering Mathematics: 13 Marks; CE Core (Civil Engineering Core): 72 Points.
- All questions in the examination carry equal weight, so a candidate should be careful not to lose marks in the exam.
- 1 mark MCQs deduct 1/3 mark, and wrong answers for 2 mark MCQs will deduct 2/3 marks.
- There will be no penalties for negative marking for NATs.
| Question Type | Number of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1-mark MCQ | 30 | 30 |
| 2-mark MCQ | 35 | 70 |
| Total | 65 | 100 |
Also Read
Ques. What is the distribution throughout the sections?
Ans. The questions on the GATE CY exam paper span:
- 10 questions, 1–2 marks a piece, comprise general aptitude.
- Core CY Questions: Roughly 85 marks.
Ques. Which sort of questions are asked in GATE CY?
Ans. Included in the GATE CY 2026 exam are:
- MCQs: Four possibilities with one right answer.
- Candidates input their response as a number; no options are offered; numerical answer type (NAT) questions.
GATE CY Marking Scheme
The GATE Chemistry marking scheme for 2026 includes:
- The GATE CY exam includes
- Multiple choice questions (MCQs)
- Multiple select questions (MSQs)
- Numerical answer type questions (NATs)
- The questions will have 1 or 2 marks each.
- You will also have negative marks for incorrect answers.

Also Read
Ques. How does the GATE CY marking scheme operate?
Ans. The scoring system in the GATE CY syllabus is as follows:
- Questions earn 1-2 marks.
- For mistakenly answered MCQs, negative marking is appropriate.
- 1 Mark Wrong Answer: 1/3 marks Deducted
- 2 Mark Wrong Answer: 2/3 marks Deducted
Ques. Will GATE CY 2026 include negative marking?
Ans. Yes, only MCQs in the GATE CY paper are subject to negative marking. The negative marking scheme is as follows:
- One-mark MCQs have 0.33 marks taken off for an incorrect answer.
- For 2-mark MCQs, an incorrect response costs 0.66 points.
- MSQs and NAT queries have no negative marking.
Recommended GATE Chemistry Books
Apart from subject-specific books, candidates should also use coaching notes and online practice material.
- Stick to limited but high-quality resources.
- Revise standard textbooks multiple times rather than referring to too many books.
- Join an online test series for real-time practice.
GATE General Aptitude Books
General Aptitude, although it seems a tough nut to crack, might be made easy with the right guidance and books.
Some of the best books for GA are listed here:
| Book Name | Author |
|---|---|
| Wiley Acing the GATE: Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude | by Anil Kumar Main |
| GATE 2021 Guide: General Aptitude | GKP |
| Aptitude & Reasoning for GATE 2021 and ESE 2021 (Prelims) Theory, Practice Questions, and Previous Year Solved Papers | Hemant Jain |
| GATE GENERAL APTITUDE & ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS | Trishna |

GATE Chemistry Important Books to Prepare
Some of the best books to prepare for the GATE CY exam are given below:
| Books | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|
| GATE Chemistry: Previous Years’ Solved Papers (Latest Edition) | Atlantic Research Division |
| Chapter-wise Solved Papers (2000-2021) | Dr. Sanjay Saxena & Preeti Gupta |
| 2000+ Physical Chemistry MCQs Questions & Answers for CSIR NET, GATE, BARC & SET | Rajiv Abhyankar |
| Concept Check in Organic Chemistry | Avinash More |
| Success Guide to Organic Chemistry | Tauheed Nadeem |
| Chapter-wise Solved Papers Chemistry GATE 2022 | Sanjay Saxena & Preeti Gupta |

GATE Chemistry Preparation Plan for 1 Month
| Week | Focus Area | Topics | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Core Concepts and Fundamentals | Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics |
|
| Quantum Chemistry, Molecular Spectroscopy |
| ||
| Week 2 | Organic and Inorganic Chemistry | Reaction Mechanisms: SN1, SN2, E1, E2, and aromatic substitution reactions. |
|
| Transition Metals, Coordination Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry |
| ||
| Week 3 | Physical Chemistry and Advanced Topics | Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Electrochemistry, Surface Chemistry |
|
| Polymers, Solid State Chemistry, and Nuclear Chemistry |
| ||
| Week 4 | Revision and Mock Tests | Full syllabus revision |
|
| Mock Tests: 3 full-length tests + analysis |
|
GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2026 FAQs
Ques. Is GATE chemistry simple or challenging?
Ans. The GATE Chemistry Syllabus is thought to be somewhat challenging. But the difficulty is always determined by the student's preparation for the test.
- The challenges were somewhat difficult in 2025.
- Only 12–18% of the students registering for the GATE CY Syllabus passed the exam.
Ques. Is Chemistry compulsory for GATE?
Ans. Yes, GATE Chemistry is mandatory for the candidates who choose XL (Life Sciences) as a secondary paper.
- They are required to take Chemistry (the mandatory subject) and two other sections.
- The topics of the Chemistry section of the GATE Life Sciences Syllabus are:
- Thermodynamics
- Atomic Structure and Periodicity
Ques. Is it possible to crack the GATE in one month??
Ans. Clearing GATE in one month totally depends upon your effort, enthusiasm, planning, and, moreover, practice, but long-term preparation is preferable. However, a few tips that can help are:
- Choose any four core subjects that are highest in marks.
- Select the important topics of these four subjects, allot time for one week for one subject, and try to solve problems (6 hours)
- Daily allot (3 hours) for mathematics and quantitative aptitude
- Try to solve previous years' question papers and test series daily (2 hours)
Ques. Is the GATE 2026 CY Syllabus released?
Ans. Yes, the GATE CY Syllabus for 2026 was released on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. You can download the official syllabus PDF from below:
| SUBJECT | DOWNLOAD |
|---|---|
| GATE Chemistry Syllabus | Check Here |
| GATE Aptitude Syllabus | Check Here |
Ques. What is the GATE Chemistry Syllabus for 2026?
Ans. The GATE CY Syllabus for 2026 includes two major sections. The two sections are discussed below:
| Sl.No. | SUBJECT | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Aptitude |
|
| 2 | Chemistry |
|
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.






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