GATE Chemistry Syllabus: Topic-Wise Breakdown, Weightage, Books & Strategy

The GATE Chemistry (CY) paper is a specialized exam that evaluates your understanding of concepts from Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry, along with basic mathematical reasoning and analytical skills. The GATE exam Chemistry paper is designed for students from chemistry, chemical sciences, or related disciplines who are interested in getting admission through the GATE exam into M.Sc., Ph.D., or PSU roles. 

This article will provide you with the complete Chemistry GATE  Syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, weightage, preparation tips, and best reference books to help aspirants prepare strategically and score high. The basic details of the GATE Chemistry exam are as follows:

• Conducting Body: IIT Guwahati
• Mode of Examination: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
• Total Questions: 65
• Total Marks: 100
• Sections: General Aptitude (15 marks) + Chemistry (85 marks)

GATE Chemistry Exam Pattern

Understanding the GATE Chemistry (CY) exam pattern is an important aspect that needs to be understood if you are aiming to secure a good rank. The GATE exam pattern gives us the information about the types of questions, the marking scheme, and the weightage of topics, allowing you to make a preparation strategy. Since the GATE exam includes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Multiple Select Questions (MSQs), and Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions, knowing these formats helps in improving both speed and accuracy during practice sessions. The GATE Chemistry exam pattern has been added below for your reference:

GATE Chemistry Exam Pattern

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Weightage
General Aptitude	10	15	15%
Chemistry (Core)	55	85	85%
Total	65	100	100%

GATE Chemistry Marking Scheme & Question Types

The GATE Chemistry exam follows a well-structured marking scheme. 

GATE Chemistry Marking Scheme & Question Types

Question Type	Marks per Question	Negative Marking	Remarks
MCQ (Multiple Choice Question)	1 or 2	-1/3 (for 1 mark), -2/3 (for 2 mark)	Negative marking applies
MSQ (Multiple Select Question)	1 or 2	No negative marking	Multiple correct answers possible
NAT (Numerical Answer Type)	1 or 2	No negative marking	Numerical answers only

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Detailed GATE Chemistry Syllabus 

The GATE Chemistry syllabus covers three major areas — Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. Each section assesses theoretical knowledge, practical understanding, and problem-solving ability. Below is the detailed topic-wise syllabus in a clear table format.

Detailed GATE Chemistry Syllabus 

Section	Topics	Subtopics & Important Concepts
Physical Chemistry	Atomic Structure & Quantum Chemistry	Schrödinger equation, operators, eigenfunctions, particle in a box, hydrogen atom, angular momentum, term symbols, Pauli exclusion principle.
	Chemical Thermodynamics	First, second & third laws, internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, Maxwell relations, equilibrium constants, Clausius–Clapeyron equation.
	Chemical Kinetics	Rate laws, order of reactions, molecularity, Arrhenius equation, activation energy, steady-state approximation, enzyme catalysis.
	Electrochemistry	Conductance, EMF, electrochemical cells, Nernst equation, concentration cells, batteries, fuel cells, corrosion.
	Statistical Thermodynamics	Partition functions, Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, translational, rotational & vibrational energy levels, equilibrium constants from partition functions.
	Surface Chemistry	Adsorption isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich), catalysis, colloids, micelles.
	Molecular Spectroscopy	Rotational, vibrational, Raman, electronic spectra, selection rules, transition moments, Franck–Condon principle.
Inorganic Chemistry	Periodic Properties & Chemical Bonding	Periodicity in atomic and ionic size, ionization energy, electron affinity, electronegativity, VSEPR theory, hybridization, MO theory, crystal field theory.
	Coordination Chemistry	Ligands, coordination number, isomerism, electronic spectra, magnetic properties, crystal field splitting, Jahn–Teller distortion, stability constants.
	Transition Elements (d & f block)	Electronic configuration, oxidation states, magnetic behavior, coordination compounds, lanthanides, actinides, color and spectra.
	Organometallic Chemistry	Metal carbonyls, sandwich compounds (ferrocene), 18-electron rule, bonding and reactivity.
	Bioinorganic Chemistry	Role of metal ions in biological systems (e.g., Fe in hemoglobin, Mg in chlorophyll, Zn in enzymes).
	Solid State Chemistry	Crystal lattices, unit cells, Bragg’s law, defects, band theory, electrical and magnetic properties of solids.
Organic Chemistry	Basic Concepts & Structure	Hybridization, resonance, inductive effect, hyperconjugation, acidity and basicity, aromaticity.
	Stereochemistry	Chirality, optical activity, R/S and E/Z nomenclature, conformational analysis of alkanes and cyclohexane, optical isomerism.
	Reaction Mechanisms	Nucleophilic and electrophilic substitution, elimination (E1/E2), addition, rearrangements, free radical reactions, carbocation and carbanion stability.
	Aromatic Compounds	Huckel’s rule, electrophilic aromatic substitution, directing effects, and resonance stabilization.
	Named Reactions & Reagents	Aldol, Cannizzaro, Claisen, Diels–Alder, Friedel–Crafts, Sandmeyer, Wittig, Grignard reactions, organolithium reagents.
	Pericyclic Reactions	Electrocyclic, cycloaddition, and sigmatropic rearrangements; Woodward–Hoffman rules.
	Spectroscopy	UV-Vis, IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C), and Mass Spectrometry – structural determination and functional group identification.

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GATE Chemistry Topic-Wise Weightage & Preparation Strategy

As per the previous year's trends, the GATE Chemistry topic-wise weightage has been figured out. The GATE Chemistry topic-wise weightage has been added below. 

GATE Chemistry Topic-Wise Weightage & Preparation Strategy

Subject / Section	Average Weightage (Marks)	Preparation Strategy
Physical Chemistry	30–35	Focus on numerical practice and derivations from thermodynamics, kinetics, and quantum chemistry.
Inorganic Chemistry	25–30	Memorize periodic trends, crystal field diagrams, and coordination chemistry formulas.
Organic Chemistry	25–30	Understand mechanisms thoroughly; focus on stereochemistry, reagents, and named reactions.
General Aptitude	15	Practice quantitative aptitude, reasoning, and English comprehension daily.

Best Books for GATE Chemistry Preparation

Here are the most recommended standard books for each section of GATE Chemistry preparation:

• Physical Chemistry
  → Physical Chemistry – P.W. Atkins & Julio de Paula
  → Elements of Physical Chemistry – Glasstone & Lewis
  → Numerical Chemistry – P. Bahadur
• Inorganic Chemistry
  → Concise Inorganic Chemistry – J.D. Lee
  → Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure and Reactivity – Huheey, Keiter & Keiter
  → Advanced Inorganic Chemistry – Cotton & Wilkinson
• Organic Chemistry
  → Organic Chemistry – Morrison & Boyd
  → Advanced Organic Chemistry (Part A & B) – Carey & Sundberg
  → Organic Reaction Mechanisms – Peter Sykes
• General Reference
  → GATE Chemistry Previous Year Papers & Solutions – Arihant / Made Easy
  → NPTEL Notes & IIT Study Materials for conceptual clarity.

The GATE Chemistry syllabus has been released on the official website by IIT Guwahati. It includes three major sections: Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. The key topics in the GATE chemistry syllabus are Chemical Kinetics, Group theory, Spectroscopy, Thermodynamics, Bioinorganic Chemistry, and more. Those who opted for this paper can choose between Chemical Engineering (CH) or Life Sciences (XL) as their second choice of paper. To crack the GATE Chemistry part, you need to make a good preparation strategy, consistent practice, and solve as many mock tests as you can. GATE Chemistry will help you get a good GATE score and rank if you are well-prepared.