GATE 2026 Polymer Science and Engineering Syllabus: IIT Guwahati has published the GATE Polymer Science and Engineering Syllabus 2026 on the official website, gate2026.iitg.ac.in. The Polymer Science and Engineering syllabus covers Chemistry of High Polymers, Polymer Characterisation, Synthesis, Manufacturing & Properties, Polymer Rheology, and more. Candidates can download the GATE Polymer Science and Engineering syllabus PDF from this page. The GATE 2026 syllabus provides a detailed outline of all the topics required for exam preparation. The authority will conduct the GATE 2026 exam on February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026. The GATE 2026 Polymer Science and Engineering exam is scheduled on February 7, 2026.
Direct link to download the GATE 2026 Polymer Science and Engineering Syllabus
The topic-wise weightage for GATE 2026 mechanical engineering is given in the table below.
Topic | Expected Weightage in Marks |
General Aptitude | 15 |
Industrial Engineering | 8 |
Engineering Maths | 12.25 |
Manufacturing Engineering | 14.25 |
Engineering Mechanics | 2.5 |
Strength of materials | 7.75 |
Heat Transfer | 6 |
Machine Design | 3.75 |
Fluid Mechanics | 7.5 |
Theory of Mechanics | 9 |
Thermodynamics | 12.75 |
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning | 1.25 |
The GATE exam will be held in online mode. The polymer science & engineering is an optional paper for candidates attempting the GATE 2026 engineering paper(XE). Candidates can also attempt the GATE 2026 mock test to get familiar with the pattern of the exam. The detailed GATE 2026 polymer science and engineering is updated here.
The GATE 2026 Polymer Science & Engineering test code is XE-F. It is essential for candidates appearing for the exam to be familiar with the test code. The GATE 2026 Polymer Science & Engineering paper is an optional subject for candidates choosing to attempt the GATE 2026 Engineering Sciences (XE) paper.
IIT Guwahati released the detailed GATE 2026 syllabus for Polymer Science and Engineering on the official website. The syllabus comprises eight sections covering various topics. The complete list of sections and subtopics for GATE Polymer Science and Engineering 2026 is provided below.
| Chapters | Topics |
|---|---|
Section 1: Chemistry of High Polymers | Monomers, functionality, degree of polymerizations, classification of polymers, glass transition, melting transition, criteria for rubberiness, polymerization methods: addition and condensation; their kinetics, metallocene polymers and other newer methods of polymerization, copolymerization, monomer reactivity ratios and its significance, kinetics, different copolymers, random, alternating, azeotropic copolymerization, block and graft copolymers, techniques for polymerization-bulk, solution, suspension, emulsion. Concept of intermolecular order (morphology) – amorphous, crystalline, orientation states. Factor affecting crystallinity. Crystalline transition. Effect of morphology on polymer properties. |
Section 2: Polymer Characterization | Solubility and swelling, Concept of molecular weight distribution and its significance, concept of average molecular weight, determination of number average, weight average, viscosity average and Z-average molecular weights, polymer crystallinity, analysis of polymers using IR, XRD, thermal (DSC, DMTA, TGA), microscopic (optical and electronic) techniques, Molecular wt. distribution: Broad and Narrow, GPC, Mooney viscosity. |
Section 3: Synthesis, Manufacturing and Properties | Commodity and general purpose thermoplastics: PE, PP, PS, PVC, Polyesters, Acrylic, PU polymers. Engineering Plastics: Nylon, PC, PBT, PSU, PPO, ABS, Fluoropolymers Thermosetting polymers: Polyurethane, PF, MF, UF, Epoxy, Unsaturated polyester, Alkyds. Natural and synthetic rubbers: Recovery of NR hydrocarbon from latex; SBR, Nitrile, CR, CSM, EPDM, IIR, BR, Silicone, TPE, Speciality plastics: PEK, PEEK, PPS, PSU, PES, etc. Biopolymers such as PLA, PHA/PHB. |
Section 4: Polymer Blends and Composites | Difference between blends and composites, their significance, choice of polymers for blending, blend miscibility-miscible and immiscible blends, thermodynamics, phase morphology, polymer alloys, polymer eutectics, plastic-plastic, rubber-plastic and rubber-rubber blends, FRP, particulate, long and short fibre reinforced composites. Polymer reinforcement, reinforcing fibres – natural and synthetic, base polymer for reinforcement (unsaturated polyester), ingredients/recipes for reinforced polymer composite. |
Section 5: Polymer Technology | Polymer compounding-need and significance, different compounding ingredients for rubber and plastics (Antioxidants, Light stabilizers, UV stabilizers, Lubricants, Processing aids, Impact modifiers, Flame retardant, antistatic agents, PVC stabilizers, and Plasticizers) and their function, use of carbonblack, polymer mixing equipments, cross-linking and vulcanization, vulcanization kinetics. |
Section 6: Polymer Rheology | Flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, different flow equations, dependence of shear modulus on temperature, molecular/segmental deformations at different zones and transitions. Measurements of rheological parameters by capillary, rotating, parallel plate, cone-plate rheometer. Visco-elasticity-creep and stress relaxations, mechanical models, control of rheological characteristics through compounding, rubber curing in parallel plate viscometer, ODR and MDR. |
Section 7: Polymer Processing | Compression molding, transfer molding, injection molding, blow molding, reaction injection molding, filament winding, SMC, BMC, DMC, extrusion, pultrusion, calendaring, rotational molding, thermoforming, powder coating, rubber processing in two-roll mill, internal mixer, twin screw extruder. |
Section 8: Polymer Testing. | Mechanical-static and dynamic tensile, flexural, compressive, abrasion, endurance, fatigue, hardness, tear, resilience, impact, toughness. Conductivity-thermal and electrical, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, power factor, electric resistance, surface resistivity, volume resistivity, swelling, ageing resistance, environmental stress cracking resistance, limiting oxygen index. Heat deflection temperature – Vicat softening temperature, Brittleness temperature, Glass transition temperature, Co-efficient of thermal expansion, Shrinkage, Flammability, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, power factor, Optical Properties - Refractive Index, Luminous Transmittance and Haze, Melt flow index |
Section 9: Polymer Recycling and Waste Management | Polymer waste, and its impact on environment, Sources, Identification and Separation techniques, recycling classification, recycling of thermoplastics, thermosets and rubbers, applications of recycled materials. Life cycle assessment of polymer products (case studies like PET bottles, packaging bags). |
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Examination Mode | Computer-Based Test (Online) |
Duration | 3 Hours |
Section | General Aptitude (GA) Candidate Selected Subject |
Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Multiple Select Questions (MSQs) Numerical Answer Type (NAT) Questions |
Total Marks | 100 Marks |
Marking Scheme | All of the questions will be worth 1 or 2 marks |
GATE Negative Marking |
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, the GATE polymer sciences & engineering syllabus has been released on the official website.
The GATE 2026 polymer science & engineering exam will be held in online mode.
As GATE 2026 polymer sciences & engineering is one of the optional papers in the GATE engineering sciences paper, candidates should also attempt another optional subject & engineering mathematics paper.
The GATE polymer sciences & engineering 2026 paper is a total of 35 marks.
On Question asked by student community
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