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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

Edited By K Guna Sahiti | Updated on Aug 07, 2025 04:31 PM IST | #GATE
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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 2026 (Out) - Check Marking Scheme, Preparation Books

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)

1. What is the section-wise weightage of the GATE exam pattern for chemistry 2026?

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

2. What is GATE 2026 Chemistry Syllabus?

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.

3. What is the paper pattern for GATE exam 2026 for Chemistry?

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.

4. What are GATE Chemistry paper 1 and paper 2?

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).

5. What is the negative marking percentage in GATE 2026 Chemistry exam?

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.

6. What is the eligibility criteria for GATE Chemistry 2026?

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.

7. What is the total time duration for GATE Chemistry 2026?

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

8. How many questions will be there in GATE Chemistry exam 2026?

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

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Questions related to GATE

Have a question related to GATE ?

Yes, in the GATE exam you can choose any paper/stream, regardless of your B.Tech or graduation branch there is no strict restriction. However,its recommended that should pick a paper in which you can perform well and which is accepted for the M.Tech or PSU roles you’re targeting. For example, a Mechanical Engineering graduate can appear for Computer Science, but admission eligibility for some M.Tech programs or PSU jobs may still require the original degree branch to match. So, while GATE lets you choose freely, your post-exam opportunities will depend on the institute’s or recruiter’s criteria.

Yes for sure if you graduate from ISI with a B.Math degree and clear GATE in Computer Science, you can apply for M.Tech programs in CSE-related fields at IISc and IITs. Most of these institutes accept candidates from any undergraduate discipline as long as they have a valid GATE CS score. However, some specializations or departments may have additional eligibility requirements, like prior coursework in programming, algorithms, or discrete mathematics. Since your B.Math background gives you a strong theoretical foundation, you’ll likely meet the academic criteria, but it’s best to check each IIT/IISc department’s brochure before applying.

Hello,

Yes, you can appear for the GATE, or Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. Through this exam you can get admission to prestigious institutions like IITs and N for the M.Tech or Ph.D. program. After this exam you can even open doors for jobs in the public sector.

I hope it will clear your query!!


To prepare for GATE EE 2026, you need to follow a simple and smart study plan. First, understand the exam pattern. GATE EE has three parts. General Aptitude is for 15 marks, Engineering Mathematics is for around 13 marks, and the core Electrical Engineering subjects cover 72 marks.

Start by reading the official syllabus so you know what topics are there. Make a proper timetable. Divide your study time for each subject. Give more time to the subjects that you find difficult.

Use standard books for each subject. For example, you can study Electrical Machines from P.S. Bimbhra, Power Systems from C.L. Wadhwa, Control Systems from Nagrath and Gopal, and Signals and Systems from Oppenheim. For Aptitude, you can use RS Aggarwal or any GATE-specific book.

Start your preparation with General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics because they are easy to score and will boost your marks. Then focus on the core subjects one by one. Always make notes while studying. These notes will help you revise quickly later.

Solve previous year GATE question papers. This will help you understand what kind of questions are asked. Also, take mock tests and topic-wise tests regularly. This will improve your speed and accuracy.

Make a habit of revising everything you study. Write down important formulas and keep reading them again and again. In the last three months before the exam, start giving full-length mock tests every week. Check your mistakes and try not to repeat them.

Be regular with your studies. Even if you study for a few hours daily, it will make a big difference. Stay focused and believe in yourself. You can do well if you are consistent.

Hello aspirant,

To download the seat allotment of AP PGCET 2025 ( non gate),

  • Visit the website www.pgcet-sche.aptonline.in (//www.pgcet-sche.aptonline.in)
  • Click on seat allotment 2025
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For more information, click on the link given below,

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/ap-pgecet-seat-allotment

Regards

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