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GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2023 consists of 3 sections - Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry. These sections incorporate all the major topics of chemistry in the graduate level. The important subjects of the syllabus, as per as per the previous year GATE Paper Analysis , include - Group theory,Chemical Equilibrium, Chemical Kinetics, Spectroscopy, Reaction mechanisms, Bio-inorganic chemistry, Organometallics, Transitional elements, and Organic Synthesis.
GATE 2023 is scheduled for February 4, 5, 11, and 12, 2023. GATE 2023 chemistry paper consists of a total of 65 Questions with 55 questions from the core subjects, whereas 10 Questions are asked from the general aptitude. Candidates will be given 3 hours to complete the paper and will be negative markings for every incorrect response. Check GATE 2023 Exam Pattern. The paper code for GATE Chemistry paper is CY and candidates who have opted for this paper have the option of undertaking either Chemical Engineering (CH) or Life Sciences (XL) as their second paper. Candidates are advised to go through the syllabus detailed below, along with the GATE 2023 Preparation Tips and important books to prepare better for the exam.
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GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2023
GATE Chemistry Syllabus consists of three sections- Physical Chemistry, Inorganic chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Here, we are providing the complete syllabus of Chemistry for GATE which is given below:
Section 1 - Physical Chemistry
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Structure | Postulates of quantum mechanics. Operators. Time-dependent and time-independent Schrödinger equations. Born interpretation. Dirac bra-ket notation. Particle in a box: infinite and finite square wells; concept of tunnelling; particle in 1D, 2D and 3D-box; applications. Harmonic oscillator: harmonic and anharmonic potentials; hermite polynomials. Rotational motion: Angular momentum operators, Rigid rotor. Hydrogen and hydrogen-like atoms : atomic orbitals; radial distribution function. Multi-electron atoms: orbital approximation; electron spin; Pauli exclusion principle; slater determinants. Approximation Methods: Variation method and secular determinants; first order perturbation techniques. Atomic units. Molecular structure and Chemical bonding: Born-Oppenheimer approximation; Valence bond theory and linear combination of atomic orbitals – molecular orbital (LCAO-MO) theory. Hybrid orbitals. Applications of LCAO-MO theory to H2 +, H2; molecular orbital theory (MOT) of homo- and heteronuclear diatomic molecules. Hückel approximation and its application to annular π– electron systems |
| Group theory | Symmetry elements and operations; Point groups and character tables; Internal coordinates and vibrational modes; symmetry adapted linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO-MO); construction of hybrid orbitals using symmetry aspects. |
| Spectroscopy | Atomic spectroscopy; Russell-Saunders coupling; Term symbols and spectral details; origin of selection rules. Rotational, vibrational, electronic and Raman spectroscopy of diatomic and polyatomic molecules. Line broadening. Einstein’s coefficients. Relationship of transition moment integral with molar extinction coefficient and oscillator strength. Basic principles of nuclear magnetic resonance: gyromagnetic ratio; chemical shift, nuclear coupling. |
| Equilibrium | Laws of thermodynamics. Standard states. Thermochemistry. Thermodynamic functions and their relationships: Gibbs-Helmholtz and Maxwell relations, Gibbs-Duhem equation, van’t Hoff equation. Criteria of spontaneity and equilibrium. Absolute entropy. Partial molar quantities. Thermodynamics of mixing. Chemical potential. Fugacity, activity and activity coefficients. Ideal and Non-ideal solutions, Raoult’s Law and Henry’s Law, Chemical equilibria. Dependence of equilibrium constant on temperature and pressure. Ionic mobility and conductivity. Debye-Hückel limiting law. Debye-Hückel-Onsager equation. Standard electrode potentials and electrochemical cells. Nernst Equation and its application, relationship between Electrode potential and thermodynamic quantities, Potentiometric and conductometric titrations. Phase rule. Clausius- Clapeyron equation. Phase diagram of one component systems: CO2, H2O, S; two component systems: liquid- vapour, liquid-liquid and solid-liquid systems. Fractional distillation. Azeotropes and eutectics. Statistical thermodynamics: microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles, Boltzmann distribution, partition functions and thermodynamic properties. |
| Kinetics | Elementary, parallel, opposing and consecutive reactions. Steady state approximation. Mechanisms of complex reactions. Unimolecular reactions. Potential energy surfaces and classical trajectories, Concept of Saddle points, Transition state theory: Eyring equation, thermodynamic aspects. Kinetics of polymerization. Catalysis concepts and enzyme catalysis. Kinetic isotope effects. Fast reaction kinetics: relaxation and flow methods. Diffusion controlled reactions. Kinetics of photochemical and photophysical processes. |
| Surfaces and Interfaces | Physisorption and chemisorption. Langmuir, Freundlich and Brunauer–Emmett– Teller (BET) isotherms. Surface catalysis: Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism. Surface tension, viscosity. Self- assembly. Physical chemistry of colloids, micelles and macromolecules. |
Section 2 - Inorganic Chemistry
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Main Group Elements: | Hydrides, halides, oxides, oxoacids, nitrides, sulfides – shapes and reactivity. Structure and bonding of boranes, carboranes, silicones, silicates, boron nitride, borazines and phosphazenes. Allotropes of carbon, phosphorus and sulphur. Industrial synthesis of compounds of main group elements. Chemistry of noble gases, pseudohalogens, and interhalogen compounds. Acid-base concepts and principles (Lewis, Brønsted, HSAB and acid-base catalysis). |
| Transition Elements | Coordination chemistry – structure and isomerism, theories of bonding (VBT, CFT, and MOT). Energy level diagrams in various crystal fields, CFSE, applications of CFT, Jahn-Teller distortion. Electronic spectra of transition metal complexes: spectroscopic term symbols, selection rules, Orgel and Tanabe- Sugano diagrams, nephelauxetic effect and Racah parameter, charge-transfer spectra. Magnetic properties of transition metal complexes. Ray-Dutt and Bailar twists, |
| Reaction mechanisms | kinetic and thermodynamic stability, substitution and redox reactions. Metal-metal multiple bond. Lanthanides and Actinides: Recovery. Periodic properties, spectra and magnetic properties. |
| Organometallics | 18-Electron rule; metal-alkyl, metal-carbonyl, metal-olefin and metal- carbene complexes and metallocenes. Fluxionality in organometallic complexes. Types of organometallic reactions. Homogeneous catalysis - Hydrogenation, hydroformylation, acetic acid synthesis, metathesis and olefin oxidation. Heterogeneous catalysis - Fischer- Tropsch reaction, Ziegler-Natta polymerization. |
| Radioactivity: | Detection of radioactivity, Decay processes, half-life of radioactive elements, fission and fusion processes. Bioinorganic Chemistry: Ion (Na+ and K+) transport, oxygen binding, transport and utilization, electron transfer reactions, nitrogen fixation, metalloenzymes containing magnesium, molybdenum, iron, cobalt, copper and zinc. |
| Solids | Crystal systems and lattices, Miller planes, crystal packing, crystal defects, Bragg’s law, ionic crystals, structures of AX, AX2, ABX3 type compounds, spinels, band theory, metals and semiconductors. Instrumental Methods of Analysis: UV-visible, fluorescence and FTIR spectrophotometry, NMR and ESR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy (Fe and Sn) and X- ray crystallography. Chromatography including GC and HPLC. Electroanalytical methods- polarography, cyclic voltammetry, ion-selective electrodes. Thermoanalytical methods. |
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Section 3 - Organic Chemistry
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Stereochemistry | Chirality and symmetry of organic molecules with or without chiral centres and determination of their absolute configurations. Relative stereochemistry in compounds having more than one stereogenic centre. Homotopic, enantiotopic and diastereotopic atoms, groups and faces. Stereoselective and stereospecific synthesis. Conformational analysis of acyclic and cyclic compounds. Geometrical isomerism and optical isomerism. Configurational and conformational effects, atropisomerism, and neighbouring group participation on reactivity and selectivity/specificity. |
| Reaction Mechanisms: | Basic mechanistic concepts – kinetic versus thermodynamic control, Hammond’s postulate and Curtin-Hammett principle. Methods of determining reaction mechanisms through kinetics, identification of products, intermediates and isotopic labelling. Linear free-energy relationship – Hammett and Taft equations. Nucleophilic and electrophilic substitution reactions (both aromatic and aliphatic). Additional reactions to carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom (N and O) multiple bonds. Elimination reactions. Reactive intermediates – carbocations, carbanions, carbenes, nitrenes, arynes and free radicals. Molecular rearrangements. |
| Organic Synthesis: | Synthesis, reactions, mechanisms and selectivity involving the following classes of compounds – alkenes, alkynes, arenes, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, nitriles, halides, nitro compounds, amines and amides. Uses of Mg, Li, Cu, B, Zn, P, S, Sn and Si based reagents in organic synthesis. Carbon-carbon bond formation through coupling reactions - Heck, Suzuki, Stille, Sonogoshira, Negishi, Kumada, Hiyama, Tsuji-Trost, olefin metathesis and McMurry. Concepts of multistep synthesis – retrosynthetic analysis, strategic disconnections, synthons and synthetic equivalents. Atom economy and Green Chemistry, Umpolung reactivity – formyl and acyl anion equivalents. Selectivity in organic synthesis – chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity. Protection and deprotection of functional groups. Concepts of asymmetric synthesis – resolution (including enzymatic), desymmetrization and use of chiral auxiliaries, organocatalysis. Carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond forming reactions through enolates (including boron enolates), enamines and silyl enol ethers. Stereoselective addition to C=O groups (Cram, Prelog and Felkin-Anh models). |
| Pericyclic Reactions and Photochemistry: | Electrocyclic, cycloaddition and sigmatropic reactions. Orbital correlations - FMO and PMO treatments, Woodward-Hoffmann rule. Photochemistry of alkenes, arenes and carbonyl compounds. Photooxidation and photoreduction. Di-π-methane rearrangement, Barton-McCombie reaction, Norrish type-I and II cleavage reaction. |
| Heterocyclic Compounds: | Structure, preparation, properties and reactions of furan, pyrrole, thiophene, pyridine, indole, quinoline and isoquinoline. |
| Biomolecules | Structure, properties and reactions of mono- and di-saccharides, physicochemical properties of amino acids, chemical synthesis of peptides, chemical structure determination of peptides and proteins, structural features of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, steroids, terpenoids, carotenoids, and alkaloids. |
| Experimental techniques in organic chemistry | Optical rotation (polarimetry). Applications of various chromatographic techniques such as thin-layer, column, HPLC and GC. Applications of UV-visible, IR, NMR and Mass spectrometry in the structural determination of organic molecules. |
GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2023: Weightage of Important Topics
By the Previous Year GATE Chemistry Paper Analysis, the general trend in the GATE Chemistry exam in terms of the weightage of the different subjects is given below.
| Section | Approximate Number of Questions asked |
|---|---|
| Chemical Equilibrium | 4 |
| Chemical Kinetics | 5 |
| Group Theory | 3 |
| Transitional Elements | 3 |
| Stereochemistry | 4 |
| Organics Synthesis | 5 |
| Biomolecules | 2 |
| Experimentation techniques in Organic Chemistry | 2 |
| Reaction Mechanisms | 5 |
| Spectroscopy | 2 |
| Main Group Elements | 4 |
| Organometallics | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Spectroscopy | 2 |
| Solids | 2 |
| Radioactivity | 2 |
| Heterocyclic Compounds: | 2 |
| Pericyclic Reactions and Photochemistry | 2 |
GATE Chemistry Exam Pattern 2023
GATE Chemistry Exam Pattern consists of 65 questions which the applicants have to attend in the duration of 3 hours. The exam includes 2 types of Questions- MCQs & NAT. Read More about GATE Exam Pattern
| Section | Distribution of Marks | Total Marks | Types of questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Ability | 5 questions of 1 mark each 5 questions of 2 marks each | 15 marks | MCQs |
| Chemistry | 25 questions of 1 mark each 30 questions of 2 marks each | 85 marks | MCQs and NATs |
GATE Chemsitry Marking Scheme 2023
- Total marks: 100 marks
- Negative marking: Only for the MCQs
| Type of question | Negative marking for wrong answer |
|---|---|
| MCQs | 1/3 for 1 mark questions 2/3 for 2 marks questions |
| NATs | No negative marking |
Must Read: How to calculate GATE Score?
GATE Chemistry Preparation 2023
The GATE Chemistry syllabus is a bit lengthy, so here are a few reference books, previous year papers and sample questions to help a student. Students can also refer to GATE Preparation Tips to learn more about GATE Preparation Strategy.
GATE Chemistry Important Books
As a popular saying goes, books are indeed a student’s best friend. Books are the most efficient tool to prepare for any exam. Especially the reference books, which offer all the insights and subject materials related to the subject. Candidates can check the section-wise important book for GATE 2023 Chemistry paper in the lists given below:
| Book | Author/ Publication |
|---|---|
| Concept Check in Organic Chemistry | Avinash More |
| Success Guide to Inorganic Chemistry | Tauheed Nadeem |
| Success Guide to organic Chemistry | Tauheed Nadeem |
| Chapterwise Solved Papers Chemistry GATE 2023 | Sanjay Saxena & Preeti Gupta |
| GATE 2023: Chemistry Year-wise Previous Solved Papers 2000-2019 | GKP |
| GATE Chemistry Solved Papers | Career Endeavour Publications |
| Wiley’s Gate Chemistry Chapter Wise Solved papers | Wiley Editorial |
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Previous Year GATE Chemistry Question Papers
GATE conducting authorities release the Question paper for the year and the respective GATE Answer Key for all 27 papers after all the exams for the year have been concluded.Going through previous years GATE question paper gives an insight into the important topics from GATE Syllabus. Given below are the links to download the previous year GATE Question Paper from 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.
| Year | GATE Question paper | Answer Key |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Download | Download |
| 2020 | Download | Download |
| 2019 | Download | Download |
| 2018 | Download | Download |
GATE Chemistry Sample Questions
Sample Questions from GATE Chemistry
- Sample Question 1: An ideal gas occupies an unknown volume V liters (L) at a pressure of 12 atm. The gas is expanded isothermally against a constant external pressure of 2 atm so that its final volume becomes 3 L. The work involved for this expansion process is ________cal. (Round off to two decimal places)
- Sample Question 2:
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GATE Syllabus 2023 of Other Subjects
GATE Chemistry Syllabus 2023 FAQs
Ques: What will be the major topics in GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023?
Ans: The major topics in GATE 2023 Chemistry syllabus 2023 are mentioned below:
- Chemical Equilibrium
- Chemical Kinetics
- Group Theory
- Transitional Elements
- Stereochemistry
- Organics Synthesis
- Biomolecules
- Experimentation techniques in Organic Chemistry
- Reaction Mechanisms
- Spectroscopy
- Main Group Elements
- Organometallics
- Structure
- Spectroscopy
- Solids
- Radioactivity
- Heterocyclic Compounds:
- Pericyclic Reactions and Photochemistry
Ques: What will be the marking scheme of GATE Chemistry 2023?
Ans: The marking scheme of GATE Chemistry 2023 is mentioned below:
| Section | Distribution of Marks | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Ability | 5 questions of 1 mark each 5 questions of 2 marks each | 15 marks |
| Physics | 25 questions of 1 mark each 30 questions of 2 marks each | 85 marks |
Ques: I am planning to appear for the chemistry paper, does the GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023 include the engineering mathematics subject?
Ans: No. The Engineering mathematics is not part of GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023. So there is no need to prepare for the same. But the general aptitude section , which is common for all the 25 disciplines of GATE, does include some basic mathematics questions.
Ques: Any Good Reference books for GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023?
Ans: For better preparations you can also refer to some of the books provided below:
| Book | Author/ Publication |
|---|---|
| Chapterwise Solved Papers Chemistry GATE 2023 | Sanjay Saxena & Preeti Gupta |
| GATE 2023: Chemistry Year-wise Previous Solved Papers 2000-2019 | GKP |
Apart from these books one must refer to the notes, study material, etc of his graduation level too because the GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023 will be based on graduation level.
Ques. What is the paper code of GATE Chemistry?
Ans. The paper code of GATE Chemistry is CY. Candidates who have opted for this paper have the option of undertaking either Chemical Engineering (CH) or Life Sciences (XL) as their second paper.
Ques. What subjects from Organic Chemistry are covered by the GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023?
Ans. The subjects in the organic chemistry covered in the GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023 are:
- Stereochemistry
- Reaction Mechanisms:
- Organic Synthesis:
- Pericyclic Reactions and Photochemistry:
- Heterocyclic Compounds:
- Biomolecules
- Experimental techniques in organic chemistry
Ques. Are Numerical Type Questions a part of the GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023?
Ans. Yes. There will be NAT or numerical answer type questions in GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023. In contrast with the MCQ Questions, these questions have no negative marking criteria. Read More about GATE Exam Pattern
Ques. What subjects from Inorganic Chemistry are covered by the GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023?
Ans. The subjects in the Inorganic chemistry covered in the GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023 are:
- Main Group Elements:
- Transition Elements
- Reaction mechanisms
- Organometallics
- Radioactivity:
- Solids
Ques. Will I get any negative marks for answering a question with a wrong answer in GATE Chemistry 2023?
Ans. Yes, a candidate will get negative marks for every wrong answer, depending on the type of question. 1 Mark Question would have ⅓ Mark penalty for every wrong answer, while 2 Mark Questions would have ⅔ Mark penalty for every wrong answer. NAT Questions do not have any penalty
Ques. How many questions are asked from each section of GATE GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023?
Ans. In total about 55 Questions are asked from the GATE Chemistry syllabus 2023 while 10 Questions are related to the General Aptitude. There is no set criteria for a specified number of questions from a section thus the questions asked from each section vary from year to year. However, from the analysis of past trends, at least 10 Questions are asked from each question in the GATE Chemistry paper
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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