Focuses on chemical process design, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, and transport phenomena, preparing candidates for roles in chemical and process industries.

GATE Chemical Engineering

Official 2025 syllabus extracted from https://gate2025.iitr.ac.in/doc/2025/GATE%20_CH_2025_Syllabus.pdf

Engineering Mathematics

Matrix algebra

Systems of linear equations

Eigen values and eigenvectors

Linear Algebra

Functions of single variable

Limit, continuity and differentiability

Taylor series

Mean value theorems

Definite and improper integrals

Partial derivatives

Total derivative

Maxima and minima

Gradient, divergence and curl

Vector identities

Directional derivatives

Line, surface and volume integrals

Stokes, Gauss and Green theorems

Calculus

First order linear and nonlinear equations

Higher order linear DEs with constant coefficients

Cauchy's and Euler's equations

Initial and boundary value problems

Laplace transforms

1D heat, wave and Laplace equations

Differential Equations

Complex number

Polar form

Triangle inequality

Complex Variables

Probability and sampling theorems

Conditional probability

Mean, median, mode, standard deviation

Random variables

Poisson, Normal, Binomial distributions

Linear regression analysis

Probability and Statistics

Linear and non-linear algebraic equations

Trapezoidal and Simpson rule

Single and multi-step methods for ODEs

Numerical Methods

Process Calculations and Thermodynamics

Steady and unsteady mass and energy balances

Multiphase, multi-component, reacting and non-reacting systems

Tie components

Recycle, bypass and purge calculations

Gibb's phase rule

Degree of freedom analysis

First law of thermodynamics: closed and open systems

Second law and entropy

Equation of state and residual properties

Partial molar properties

Fugacity

Excess properties and activity coefficients

Phase equilibria: predicting VLE

Chemical reaction equilibrium

Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations

Fluid statics

Surface tension

Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids

Transport properties

Shell balances

Differential Bernoulli equation

Equation of continuity

Equation of motion

Equation of mechanical energy

Macroscopic friction factors

Dimensional analysis and similitude

Flow through pipeline systems

Velocity profiles

Flow meters

Pumps and compressors

Boundary layer theory

Flow past immersed bodies: packed and fluidized beds

Turbulent flow: universal velocity profile and pressure drop

Fluid Mechanics

Particle size and shape

Particle size distribution

Size reduction

Solid classification

Free and hindered settling

Centrifuge and cyclones

Thickening

Filtration

Agitation and mixing

Conveying of solids

Mechanical Operations

Heat Transfer

Equation of energy

Steady and unsteady heat conduction

Convection and radiation

Thermal boundary layer

Heat transfer coefficients

Boiling, condensation, evaporation

Heat exchangers and evaporators

Design of double pipe heat exchanger

Shell and tube heat exchanger design

Single and multiple effect evaporators

Mass Transfer

Fick's laws

Molecular diffusion in fluids

Mass transfer coefficients

Film, penetration and surface renewal theories

Momentum, heat and mass transfer analogies

Stage-wise and continuous contacting

Stage efficiencies

HTU and NTU concepts

Distillation

Absorption

Leaching

Liquid-liquid extraction

Drying

Humidification and dehumidification

Adsorption

Membrane separations: MF, UF, NF, RO

Chemical Reaction Engineering

Theories of reaction rates

Kinetics of homogeneous reactions

Interpretation of kinetic data

Single and multiple reactions in ideal reactors

Enzyme kinetics: Michaelis-Menten and Monod

Non-ideal reactors

Residence time distribution

Single parameter model

Non-isothermal reactors

Kinetics of heterogeneous catalysis

Diffusion effects in catalysis

Catalyst deactivation: rate and performance

Instrumentation and Process Control

Measurement of process variables

Sensors and transducers

P&ID equipment symbols

Process modeling and linearization

Transfer functions and dynamic responses

Systems with inverse response

Process reaction curve

Controller modes (P, PI, PID)

Control valves

Transducer dynamics

Closed loop stability

Frequency response

Controller tuning

Cascade and feed-forward control

Plant Design and Economics

Process economics and cost estimation

Depreciation

Total annualized cost

Cost indices

Rate of return

Payback period

Discounted cash flow

Optimization in process design

Sizing of heat exchangers

Sizing of multistage contactors

Chemical Technology

Inorganic chemicals: sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chlor-alkali

Fertilizers: Ammonia, Urea, SSP, TSP

Natural products: Pulp and Paper, Sugar, Oil, Fats

Petroleum refining and petrochemicals

Polymerization: polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, polyester

GATE Chemical Engineering Syllabus 2025, 2026 and more: Subjects, Topics, and What to Study