GATE Exam Pattern for Chemistry 2026 (Out) - Check Marking Scheme, Preparation Books

GATE Exam Pattern for Chemistry 2026 (Out) - Check Marking Scheme, Preparation Books

Ongoing Event

GATE Application Date:28 Aug' 25 - 28 Sep' 25

K Guna SahitiUpdated on 07 Aug 2025, 04:31 PM IST

GATE Exam Pattern for Chemistry 2026 - IIT Guwahati has released the exam pattern for GATE 2026 on its official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The same has been provided in this article. As per the exam pattern for GATE Chemistry 2026, the question paper will be divided into 3 subsections, namely, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry. There will be a total of 65 questions as per the GATE exam pattern for chemistry, including MCQs, MSQs, and NAT questions. The weightage for core chemistry is 85% and General Aptitude is 15%. GATE aspirants must refer to the GATE exam pattern for Chemistry 2026 to achieve their desired results. The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering 2026 will be conducted on February 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026, as a computer-based test (CBT).

This Story also Contains

  1. GATE 2026 Exam Pattern For Chemistry- Highlights
  2. GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2026
  3. GATE Chemistry Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking Scheme
  4. GATE 2026 Negative Marking: Chemistry
  5. Best GATE 2026 Preparation Books for Chemistry
GATE Exam Pattern for Chemistry 2026 (Out) - Check Marking Scheme, Preparation Books
GATE Exam Pattern for Chemistry

The authority has uploaded the GATE 2026 exam pattern for all the papers together. Go through the complete article to learn about the GATE exam pattern for Chemistry 2026.

GATE 2026 Exam Pattern For Chemistry- Highlights

Particulars

Details

Examination Mode

Computer Based Test (Online)

Duration

3 Hours

Sections

  • General Aptitude (GA)

  • Chemistry (CY)

Type of Questions




  • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  • Multiple Select Questions (MSQs)

  • Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions

Number of Questions



(Total 65 Questions)

10- General Aptitude

55- Chemistry

Section-wise Weightage

General Aptitude- 15 percent

Chemistry - 85 Percent

Total Marks

100

Marking Scheme

1 or 2 marks questions

No partial marking for MSQ

Negative Marking

1/3 for 1 Mark MCQ Question

2/3 for 2 mark MCQ Question

No negative marking for MSQ & NAT

Related links:

GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2026

The GATE Chemistry syllabus pdf 2026 is available online. Candidates must check the GATE syllabus chemistry to know what the important topics are. Check the important points that candidates need to know about the GATE exam syllabus for Chemistry 2026 below.

GATE 2026 Chemistry Syllabus

Sections

Important Topics



General Aptitude

  • Verbal Aptitude

  • Quantitative Aptitude

  • Analytical Aptitude

  • Spatial Aptitude

Physical Chemistry

  • Structure

  • Group Theory

  • Spectroscopy

  • Equilibrium

  • Kinetics (Topic has been rearranged)

  • Surfaces and Interfaces

Inorganic Chemistry

  • Main Group Elements

  • Transition Elements

  • Lanthanides and Actinides

  • Organometallics

  • Radioactivity

  • Bioinorganic Chemistry

  • Solids

  • Instrumental Methods of Analysis

Organic Chemistry

  • Stereochemistry

  • Reaction Mechanisms

  • Organic Synthesis

  • Pericyclic Reactions and Photochemistry

  • Heterocyclic Compounds

  • Biomolecules

  • Experimental Techniques in Organic Chemistry

Also read: GATE Syllabus - Download Syllabus PDFs Here

GATE Chemistry Exam Pattern 2026 - Marking Scheme

Subject Code/Name

No. of Questions

Marks Distribution

Marks percent weightage

Negative Marking

Total time

General Aptitude

10

5 x 1

5 x 2

15

1/3 for 1 mark Que in MCQ


2/3 for 2 marks ques in MCQ


No Negative marking in MSQ and NAT

No Negative Marking





Chemistry(CY)


55

(25 x 1)

(30 x 2)

85


Total

65


100


180 Minutes

GATE 2026 Negative Marking: Chemistry

Type of Question

Marks

Incorrect Answer

MCQ

1 or 2 Marks

⅓ for 1 mark questions

⅔ for 2 marks questions

MSQ/NAT

1 or 2 Marks

No Negative Marking

Related links:

Best GATE 2026 Preparation Books for Chemistry

Check the GATE Chemistry 2026 preparation books below

Book Name

Author

Concept Check in Organic Chemistry Tauheed Nadeem

Avinash More

Success Guide to Inorganic Chemistry

Tauheed Nadeem

3,000 Solved Problems In Chemistry (Schaum’s Outline Series)

David E Goldberg

Chapterwise GATE Chemistry Solved Papers (2014-2000)

Arihant Publications

Also Read: Download Free All subjects GATE Previous Year Papers

Download Previous Year GATE Chemistry Solved Papers PDF Free

Candidates looking for GATE Chemistry solved papers PDF can download them from careers360 for free. Practice previous years' mock test papers to understand the GATE 2026 exam pattern for chemistry so that you can score well on the final entrance test.

GATE Exam Pattern For Chemistry 2026 - Preparation Guide

  • Start your preparation for GATE as early as you can because the GATE syllabus 2026 is very vast and it will be very difficult to cover it before the examination. Students have to cover multiple sections and topics to prepare for exams.
  • Begin with understanding the GATE exam pattern for Chemistry 2026, this will give you an idea about the examination. Thoroughly understand the GATE 2026 Chemistry syllabus topics and units which have to be studied.
  • Mark the high-weightage topics on a different page, so that you can spend more time on those topics. You can check the previous GATE question papers to understand the question paper pattern.
  • Strategize your study schedule for the GATE 2026 for chemistry and divide your time specifying topics and units as per your preference.
  • Solve previous years' question papers for GATE Chemistry and practice as much as you can. Note down your mistakes and try to work on those problems.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many questions will be there in GATE Chemistry exam 2026?
A:

There will be a total of 65 questions in Gate Chemistry including 55 questions from chemistry subject syllabus and 10 questions from General aptitude.

Q: What is GATE 2026 Chemistry Syllabus?
A:

There are 2 major sections in the GATE syllabus for Chemistry, including General Aptitude, and Chemistry.  The chemistry includes topics like Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry.

Q: What is the paper pattern for GATE exam 2026 for Chemistry?
A:

There will be a total of 65 questions, which are divided into 2 sections. Section 1 includes 10 questions on general aptitude, Section 2 includes 55 questions on Chemistry.

Q: What is the negative marking percentage in GATE 2026 Chemistry exam?
A:

There will be a negative marking of 1/3  for 1 mark MCQ questions and 2/3 for 2 mark MCQ questions. No negative marking in MSQ and NAT questions.

Q: What is the eligibility criteria for GATE Chemistry 2026?
A:

The candidates who have completed any degree program in Engineering / Technology / Architecture / Science / Commerce / Arts or currently studying in the 3rd of any undergraduate degree program are eligible for GATE 2026 exam.

Q: What is the total time duration for GATE Chemistry 2026?
A:

The time duration will be 3 hours (180 minutes) for GATE Chemistry 2026. For physically disabled candidates, one extra hour will be given.

Q: What is the section-wise weightage of the GATE exam pattern for chemistry 2026?
A:

The total weightage for the core GATE Chemistry syllabus is 85%, and for General Aptitude is 15%.

Q: What are GATE Chemistry paper 1 and paper 2?
A:

GATE paper one covers general aptitude, and core subject (Chemistry) and for paper 2 candidates can choose one section from, CH (Chemical Engineering) and XL (Life Sciences).

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Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

Yes, it will be acceptable. In GATE registration, the name should match your valid photo ID proof in terms of spelling, not the order. Many Indian IDs have surname written first, while the portal generates it as first–middle–last. Since all three parts of your name (Vikash, Rameshbhai, Bhagel) are correct, there won’t be any issue. Just ensure you upload the correct ID proof. During verification, they check spelling, photo, and signature, not the word order.



Hello,

Yes, you can change your category from General to OBC during the GATE 2026 correction window.

GATE always allows candidates to correct details like category. You will need to pay a small correction fee for this change. Make sure you upload a valid OBC certificate as per the format and date mentioned by GATE.

So, wait for the correction window, log in to your application, and update your category to OBC.

Hope it helps !

Hello! If you are preparing for GATE, there are plenty of free resources available online that can boost your preparation. You can easily access e-books, handwritten notes, subject wise PYQs, and test series shared by toppers on different platforms. Along with that, free PDFs and study material are available through various websites and Telegram channels. To make it easier, I will be attaching the link where you can find preparation tips, a study timetable, free study materials, and previous year question papers all in one place.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-timetable
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/how-to-prepare-for-gate
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-preparation-material
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-mock-test
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/gate-question-papers

Hello, with an AIR of 25070 and a score of 499 in NEET PG 2025 under the General category, getting a government seat in West Bengal for highly demanded branches like General Surgery or Orthopedics may be difficult, as these usually close at much higher ranks. However, you still stand a chance for other clinical or para-clinical branches through the state quota counselling. I suggest using the NEET PG college predictor link I’m sharing here, which will give you a clearer idea of the colleges and branches you may get based on your rank and category.

NEET PG College Predictor- https://medicine.careers360.com/neet-pg-college-predictor


Hello,

You can download GATE Previous Year Question Papers either from the official website of GATE 2026, or from Careers360. Here are the links for both :

Official Website : Download GATE Previous Papers (https://gate2025.iitr.ac.in/download.html)

Careers360 : GATE Question Papers with Solutions

Hope it helps !