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.
VIT Bhopal University | M.Tech Admissions 2025

M.Tech admissions open @ VIT Bhopal University | Highest CTC 52 LPA | Apply now

GMAC GMAT™ Exam

Unlock GMAT Success Timeline & Expert Videos | Select test center appointment | Scores valid for 5 Years | Multiple Attempts

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).

Articles
|
Next
Certifications By Top Providers
Basic Programming using Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Certificate Program in Machine Learning and AI with Python
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
B.Sc in Programming and Data Science
Via Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Understanding Ethnography
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Artificial Intelligence
Via Columbia University, New York
An Introduction to Programming through C++
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Udemy
 1525 courses
Swayam
 817 courses
NPTEL
 773 courses
Coursera
 697 courses
Edx
 608 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to GATE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GATE ?

To take GATE mock tests, first choose a reliable source like GATE official portal, NPTEL, Made Easy, or ACE Engineering. Sign up or register online to access the full-length tests. Simulate the actual 3-hour exam with proper timing and no distractions. Attempt complete tests to practice time management and exam strategy. After each test, analyze your performance to identify weak areas and revise. Regularly taking 1–2 mocks per week helps improve speed, accuracy, and confidence.



For GATE Life Sciences question banks, you can go for GATE past year's papers to understand the exam style, and you can buy online test series from a coaching site for lots of new practice questions.

you can get question book one from publishers like IFAS or GKP. Also use free online resources like NPTEL and EasyBiologyClass for extra practice and study materials. Good luck!

Here are GATE exam aptitude topics from high to low weightage:

1. English Comprehension & Vocabulary

2.Numerical Ability and Arithmetic

3.Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability

4.Data Interpretation

5.Geometry & Mensuration basic

6.Algebra basic

7.Probability and Statistics

8.General Knowledge and Miscellaneous Verbal like  odd one out, analogy, word usage.


If you are needed to prepare for gate exam from ece batch there 65 questions in exam pattern total marks is 100 here 15% is aptitude general questions then 15% mathematics engineering questions , 70% core subjects you need to concentrate on more core related subject like controls system , signals and system , digital circut these topics covers most of the basics but you need to prepare more topics in core subjects and create a structure plan for yourself dialy attend mock test with time duration these steps will help to prepare very easily.