Complete Chemistry Syllabus (Updated & Optimized for 2025)
Explore a well-organized and simplified Chemistry syllabus covering Physical, Inorganic, and Organic Chemistry.
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Gate 2026 Chemistry Engineering Exam Syllabus Breakdown |
Suitable for students preparing for competitive exams like IIT JAM, GATE, CSIR NET, and NEET.
Section 1: Physical Chemistry
Structure
- Postulates of quantum mechanics, Operators
- Schrödinger equations (time-dependent & independent)
- Born interpretation, Dirac notation
- Particle in a box, tunnelling, harmonic oscillator
- Angular momentum, Rigid rotor, Hydrogen-like atoms
- Electron spin, Pauli principle, Slater determinants
- Variation and perturbation methods
- Atomic units, Born-Oppenheimer approximation
- LCAO-MO theory, VB theory, Hückel approximation
Group Theory
- Symmetry operations, Point groups
- Character tables, Internal coordinates
- Construction of hybrid orbitals via symmetry
Spectroscopy
- Atomic spectra, Term symbols, Selection rules
- Rotational, Vibrational, Electronic, Raman spectroscopy
- Einstein’s coefficients, Transition moment integral
- NMR basics, chemical shift, spin-spin coupling
Equilibrium
- Thermodynamics laws, Functions, Equilibrium criteria
- Gibbs free energy, Mixing thermodynamics
- Phase diagrams (CO2, H2O, S, binary systems)
- Electrochemical cells, Nernst equation
Statistical Thermodynamics
- Ensembles, Boltzmann distribution
- Partition functions, Thermodynamic properties
Kinetics
- Reaction mechanisms, Transition state theory
- Polymerization, Enzyme catalysis, Fast kinetics
- Photochemical and photophysical kinetics
Surfaces and Interfaces
- Adsorption isotherms (Langmuir, BET)
- Surface catalysis, Tension, Self-assembly
- Colloids and micelles chemistry
Section 2: Inorganic Chemistry
Main Group Elements
- Hydrides, halides, oxides, nitrides, oxoacids
- Structure of boranes, silicones, silicates
- Allotropes, Acid-base theories (HSAB, Lewis, Brønsted)
Transition Elements
- Coordination chemistry, Isomerism
- CFT, VBT, MOT, Jahn-Teller effect
- Electronic spectra, Racah parameters, Reactions
Lanthanides and Actinides
- Recovery, Spectra, Periodicity, Magnetism
Organometallic Chemistry
- 18-electron rule, Metallocenes, Fluxionality
- Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis
Radioactivity
- Detection, Decay, Half-life, Fission & Fusion
Bioinorganic Chemistry
- Ion transport, Oxygen transport, Nitrogen fixation
- Metalloenzymes (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mg, Mo, Co)
Solids and Instrumentation
- Crystal systems, Miller indices, Defects
- XRD, NMR, ESR, IR, UV, GC, HPLC, AAS, CV
Section 3: Organic Chemistry
Stereochemistry
- Chirality, Optical activity, Enantiomers
- Conformational analysis, Atropisomerism
Reaction Mechanisms
- Kinetics vs Thermodynamics, Isotope effects
- SN1, SN2, E1, E2, Electrophilic, Nucleophilic
- Rearrangements, Reactive intermediates
Organic Synthesis
- Functional group reactions, Coupling reactions
- Green Chemistry, Retrosynthesis
- Stereoselective synthesis, Protection strategies
Pericyclic and Photochemical Reactions
- Cycloadditions, Electrocyclic, Sigmatropic
- Woodward-Hoffmann rules, Norrish reactions
Heterocycles and Biomolecules
- Furan, pyrrole, thiophene, pyridine chemistry
- Carbohydrates, peptides, proteins, steroids
Experimental Techniques
- Polarimetry, TLC, HPLC, GC
- Spectroscopy: UV, IR, NMR, MS
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FAQs: Chemistry Syllabus
Q1. What are the main topics in Physical Chemistry?
Topics include quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, thermodynamics, kinetics, and surface chemistry.
Q2. Is this syllabus useful for IIT JAM or CSIR NET?
Yes, this syllabus aligns well with national exams like GATE, IIT JAM, and CSIR NET.
Q3. What should I focus on in Organic Chemistry?
Focus on reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, synthesis methods, and functional group transformations.
Q4. Are there instrumental techniques included?
Yes, techniques like spectroscopy (IR, NMR, UV), chromatography, and electrochemistry are covered.
Q5. How can I download this syllabus?
You can copy and save this content or use a browser print-to-PDF option to save it offline.