GATE Chemical Engineering 2026: Syllabus, High-Weightage Topics, and PSU Guide
Master the CH Paper: Detailed analysis of CRE, Mass Transfer, Thermodynamics, and 2026 Dates.
Updated: 4 days ago
Categories: GATE Exam, Chemical Engineering, PSU Recruitment
GATE 2026 CH Exam Timeline
IIT Guwahati has officially slotted the Chemical Engineering (CH) paper for the first day of the examination window. Mark these critical dates to stay ahead of your schedule:
Event
Official Date
Admit Card Release
January 13, 2026
CH Exam Date
February 7, 2026 (Afternoon)
Result Declaration
March 19, 2026
Scorecard Download
March 27, 2026
Paper Pattern & Marking Scheme
The CH paper contains 65 questions for a total of 100 marks. The test includes a mix of theory-heavy MCQs and calculation-intensive NATs.
• MCQ (Multiple Choice): 1 or 2 marks. Penalty of 1/3 or 2/3 respectively for wrong answers.
• MSQ (Multiple Select): One or more options can be correct. No negative marking.
• NAT (Numerical Answer): Calculations required. Enter digits via virtual keypad. No negative marking.
Marks Distribution Breakdown
Chemical Engineering is known for its consistent weightage across core pillars. Mastering the first 28 marks is often the "qualifying" secret.
Section
Total Marks
Weightage %
General Aptitude
15 Marks
15%
Engineering Mathematics
13 Marks
13%
Core CH Discipline
72 Marks
72%
High-Weightage Core Topics
To target an AIR under 500, you must focus on these "Big Four" subjects that typically carry over 40% of the core paper weight:
1. Chemical Reaction Engineering (10-12%): Kinetics, Ideal Reactors (Batch, CSTR, PFR), and Non-ideal flow.
2. Mass Transfer (8-10%): Diffusion, Distillation, Absorption, and Extraction.
3. Heat Transfer (8-9%): Conduction, Convection, Radiation, and Heat Exchangers (LMTD/NTU).
4. Thermodynamics (7-9%): First/Second Law, Fugacity, Activity coefficients, and VLE.
How Your Score is Calculated
Your final GATE score out of 1000 is calculated using the standard normalization formula to account for any slight variation in difficulty levels:
$$Score = S_q + (S_t - S_q)\frac{M - M_q}{\overline{M}_t - M_q}$$
Where M is your raw marks,
Mq is the qualifying marks,
𝑀̄t represents the average marks of the top 0.1% candidates,
Sq is the minimum qualifying score (350),
and St is the normalized top score (900).
Top Success Strategies
1. Zero-Error in PC & MO: Process Calculations and Mechanical Operations are often easier. Don't lose these 8-10 marks.
2. Practice NAT Questions: Nearly 30-40% of the paper can be NAT. Practice with the virtual calculator daily to avoid "decimal point" errors.
3. Instrumental Control (IPC): Master Laplace Transforms and Transfer Functions early; these are high-scoring areas with clear mathematical logic.
Official Links & Verification
For the latest hall ticket updates and official mock tests, visit:
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