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

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

    K Guna SahitiUpdated on 11 Dec 2025, 03:58 PM IST

    GATE Exam Pattern for Chemistry 2026 - IIT Guwahati has published GATE 2026 exam patter for chemistry at gate2026.iitg.ac.in. As per the exam pattern for GATE Chemistry 2026, the question paper will be divided into three subsections: Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry. A total of 65 questions will be included, which will consist of MCQs, MSQs, and NAT questions. The authority will conduct the GATE 2026 exam for Chemistry on February 7, 2026. The weightage for core chemistry is 85% and General Aptitude is 15%. Go through the complete article to learn about the GATE exam pattern for Chemistry 2026. Students can check all the details on the GATE Chemistry exam pattern 2026 in this article.

    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

    GATE 2026 Exam Pattern For Chemistry – Highlights

    ParticularsDetails

    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 marks

    Subject Questions: 85 marks

    Total: 100 marks

    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 Chemistry Syllabus 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

    SectionsImportant 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 questions 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-mark 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.
    • Strategise 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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