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Updated By Lipi on 11 Aug, 2025 22:56
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Predict RankIIT Guwahati has released the GATE 2026 chemical engineering syllabus. The GATE 2026 syllabus for Chemical Engineering includes all the important topics that are to be covered in the upcoming GATE 2026 examination. The Chemical Engineering syllabus for the GATE 2026 exam features topics such as Process Calculations, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations, Heat Transfer, Mass Transfer, Chemical Reaction Engineering, Instrumentation and Process Control, Plant Design and Economics, and Chemical Technology. Additionally, the GATE 2026 syllabus for CH includes three sections: Engineering Mathematics, General Aptitude, and core Chemical Engineering topics. We have provided the detailed GATE 2026 syllabus for Chemical Engineering on this page.
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Attempt nowIIT Guwahati has released the official GATE 2026 syllabus. You can access the GATE 2026 CH syllabus pdf from the link below:-
| GATE CH Syllabus 2026 PDF Download Link |
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A total of 9 sections are included in the GATE CH syllabus 2026. All the sections that cover the GATE 2026 CH syllabus include Engineering Mathematics, Process Calculations, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations, etc. Let us know the section-wise syllabus of GATE 2026 from below:-
Name of the Chapters | Sub-sections |
|---|---|
Linear Algebra | Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigenvalues and eigenvectors |
Calculus | Functions of single variable, Limit, continuity and differentiability, Taylor series, Mean value theorems, Evaluation of definite and improper integrals, Partial derivatives, Total derivative, Maxima and minima, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities, Directional derivatives, Line, Surface and Volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems |
Differential Equations | First order equations (linear and nonlinear), Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Initial and boundary value problems, Laplace transforms, Solutions of one-dimensional heat and wave equations and Laplace equation. |
Complex Variables | Complex number, polar form of complex number, triangle inequality |
Probability and Statistics | Definitions of probability and sampling theorems, Conditional probability, Mean, median, mode and standard deviation, Random variables, Poisson, Normal and Binomial distributions, Linear regression analysis. |
Numerical Methods | Numerical solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations. Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule. Single and multi-step methods for numerical solution of differential equations |
Steady and unsteady state mass and energy balances including multiphase, multi-component, reacting and non-reacting systems. Use of tie components; recycle, bypass and purge calculations; Gibb’s phase rule and degree of freedom analysis.
First and Second laws of thermodynamics. Applications of first law to close and open systems. Second law and Entropy. Thermodynamic properties of pure substances: Equation of State and residual properties, properties of mixtures: partial molar properties, fugacity, excess properties and activity coefficients; phase equilibria: predicting VLE of systems; chemical reaction equilibrium.
Fluid statics, surface tension, Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, transport properties, shell balances including differential form of Bernoulli equation and energy balance, equation of continuity, equation of motion, equation of mechanical energy, Macroscopic friction factors, dimensional analysis and similitude, flow through pipeline systems, velocity profiles, flow meters, pumps and compressors, elementary boundary layer theory, flow past immersed bodies including packed and fluidized beds, Turbulent flow: fluctuating velocity, universal velocity profile and pressure drop.
Particle size and shape, particle size distribution, size reduction, and classification of solid particles; free and hindered settling; centrifuge and cyclones; thickening and classification, filtration, agitation and mixing; conveying of solids.
Equation of energy, steady and unsteady heat conduction, convection and radiation, thermal boundary layer and heat transfer coefficients, boiling, condensation and evaporation; types of heat exchangers and evaporators and their process calculations; design of double pipe, shell and tube heat exchangers, and single and multiple effect evaporators.
Fick’s laws, molecular diffusion in fluids, mass transfer coefficients, film, penetration and surface renewal theories; momentum, heat and mass transfer analogies; stage-wise and continuous contacting and stage efficiencies; HTU & NTU concepts; design and operation of equipment for distillation, absorption, leaching, liquid-liquid extraction, drying, humidification, dehumidification and adsorption, membrane separations (micro-filtration, ultra-filtration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis).
Theories of reaction rates; kinetics of homogeneous reactions, interpretation of kinetic data, single and multiple reactions in ideal reactors, kinetics of enzyme reactions (Michaelis-Menten and Monod models), non-ideal reactors; residence time distribution, single parameter model; nonisothermal reactors; kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions; diffusion effects in catalysis; rate and performance equations for catalyst deactivation.
Measurement of process variables; sensors and transducers; P&ID equipment symbols; process modeling and linearization, transfer functions and dynamic responses of various systems, systems with inverse response, process reaction curve, controller modes (P, PI, and PID); control valves; transducer dynamics; analysis of closed loop systems including stability, frequency response, controller tuning, cascade and feed forward control.
Principles of process economics and cost estimation including depreciation and total annualized cost, cost indices, rate of return, payback period, discounted cash flow, optimization in process design and sizing of chemical engineering equipment such as heat exchangers and multistage contactors.
Inorganic chemical industries (sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chlor-alkali industry), fertilizers (Ammonia, Urea, SSP and TSP); natural products industries (Pulp and Paper, Sugar, Oil, and Fats); petroleum refining and petrochemicals; polymerization industries (polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polyester synthetic fibers).
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You should note that the syllabus of General Aptitude is constant for all the GATE subjects. While preparing the GATE 2026 CH syllabus, you must also cover the GA section, for it contains 15% weightage. Furthermore, you can find the GATE Chemical Engineering GA syllabus 2026 in the table below:-
Name of the Sections | Topics |
|---|---|
Spatial Aptitude | Transformation of shapes: translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, and grouping Paper folding, cutting, and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions |
Verbal Aptitude | Basic English grammar: tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, and other parts of speech Basic vocabulary: words, idioms, and phrases in context. Reading and comprehension, Narrative sequencing |
Analytical Aptitude | Logic: deduction and induction, Analogy, Numerical relations, and reasoning |
Quantitative Aptitude | Data interpretation: data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing data), 2- and 3-dimensional plots, maps, and tables. Numerical computation and estimation: ratios, percentages, powers, exponents and logarithms, permutations and combinations, and serie.s Mensuration and geometry, Elementary statistics and probability. |
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| GATE 2026 Exam Centres | GATE 2026 Eligibility Criteria |
| GATE 2026 Registration | GATE 2026 Admit Card |
While studying for the Chemical Engineering paper of GATE, you must focus more on the important topics and allot more time on those topics as compared to the others. Moreover, a detailed description of the section-wise important topics for GATE 2026 Chemical Engineering can be found below:-
Sections | Important Topics |
|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | Matrix algebra; Functions of a single variable, Limit, continuity and differentiability; First-order equations (linear and nonlinear), Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients |
| Process Calculations and Thermodynamics | Use of tie components; recycle, bypass, and purge calculations; Gibb’s phase rule and degree of freedom analysis First and Second laws of thermodynamics |
| Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations | Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, transport properties, shell-balances including differential form of Bernoulli equation and energy balance; Turbulent flow: fluctuating velocity |
| Heat Transfer | Types of heat exchangers and evaporators and their process calculations |
| Mass Transfer | Fick’s laws, molecular diffusion in fluids, mass transfer coefficients; HTU & NTU concepts; design and operation of equipment for distillation, absorption |
| Chemical Reaction Engineering | Theories of reaction rates; kinetics of homogeneous reactions; kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions |
| Instrumentation and Process Control | Measurement of process variables; sensors and transducers; P&ID equipment symbols; control valves; transducer dynamics; analysis of closed-loop systems including stability, frequency response, controller tuning, cascade, and feed-forward control. |
| Plant Design and Economics | Principles of process economics and cost estimation including depreciation and total annualized cost, cost indices |
| Chemical Technology | Inorganic chemical industries (sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chlor-alkali industry), fertilizers (Ammonia, Urea, SSP and TSP); polymerization industries (polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polyester synthetic fibers). |
Spatial Aptitude |
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Verbal Aptitude |
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Analytical Aptitude |
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Quantitative Aptitude |
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Knowing about the weightage of the topics for the GATE 2026 Chemical Engineering syllabus can help you to prepare better for the examination. You can assess the importance of the various sections and topics based on the weightage. Take a look at the tentative topic-wise weightage of the GATE CH syllabus 2026 in the table below:-
Name of the Topics | Expected Weightage of Questions (in %) |
|---|---|
Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations | 11-13 |
Chemical Reaction Engineering | 12-14 |
Engineering Mathematics | 11-13 |
Chemical Technology | 5-7 |
Process Calculations and Thermodynamics | 3-5 |
Instrumentation and Process Control | 7-9 |
Heat Transfer | 8-10 |
Plant Design and Economics | 3-5 |
Mass Transfer | 11-13 |
The preparation of the GATE 2026 Chemical Engineering syllabus takes a lot of effort. While doing the preparation, you should follow the specified tips so as to abstain from being tired and confused. Let us discuss about the preparation tips for the GATE CH syllabus 2026:-
Start as soon as possible: You should start preparing for the GATE CH exam as soon as possible. Doing this will lead to the completion of the preparation in due time and leave plenty of time for revision.
Know your syllabus & the exam pattern: It is very important for you to have a complete idea of the syllabus as well as the GATE 2026 exam pattern. You are also advised to make a note of all the important topics.
Make a proper timetable: Before starting the study, it is advisable for you to make a proper timetable and promise to follow it strictly.
Solve the previous year question papers & sample papers: Solving the GATE previous year question papers of Chemical Engineering will help you to understand better the exam pattern, time taken in solving the sample paper, marking scheme, types of questions, etc.
Know your strengths & weaknesses: You need to know your strengths & weaknesses. Following that, you should give more time to the difficult topics as compared to the easy topics.
If you are interested in studying the course of Chemical Engineering, then you must refer to the recommended books while preparing for the GATE 2026 examination. Let us know more about the recommended books of the GATE 2026 Chemical Engineering syllabus below:-
Name of the Books | Name of the Authors |
|---|---|
Chemical Reaction Engineering | Fogler & Gurmen, Octave Levenspiel |
Mechanical Operation | Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering -Warren McCabe, Julian Smith, Peter Harriott Mechanical Operation For Chemical Engineering by Narayanan C. M. & Bhattacharyya B. C |
Chemical Process Control | An Introduction To Theory And Practice- Stephanopoulos. Process dynamics and control - Seborg, D.E., Edgar, T.F. and Mellichamp, D.A Plant design and Economics- Peters M. S. and Timmerhaus K. D |
Thermodynamics | A Textbook of Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics - K. V. Narayanan. An Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics-J. M. Smith, H. C. Van Ness, M. M. Abbott |
Process Dynamics and Control | Process Systems Analysis and Control - Donald R. Coughanowr & Steven E. LeBlanc |
Chemical Technology | Dryden’s Outlines of Chemical Technology by Gopala Rao M. and Marshall S |
Engineering Mathematics | B.S. Grewal |
Heat Transfer | Heat Transfer- Binay K. Dutta Heat Transfer - Jack Philip Holman |
Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering | David M. Himmelblau |
Chemical Engineering for GATE | Ram Prasad |
Mass Transfer | Mass Transport Phenomena- Christie J. Geankoplis Mass Transfer Operations-Robert E. Treybal |
Transport Phenomena | R. Byron Bird, Warren E. Stewart, Edwin N. Lightfoot |
Fluid Mechanics | Introduction To Fluid Mechanics by Yunus A. Cengel, John M. Cimbala Introduction to Fluid Mechanics- Fox and Mcdonald |
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