Syllabus overview
GATE CH syllabus 2027 with the official PDF, 100-mark exam pattern and complete section-wise topic tables for Chemical Engineering.
Highlights
CH is the official GATE code for Chemical Engineering.
The official syllabus contains 10 sections: Engineering Mathematics; Process Calculations; Thermodynamics; Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations; Heat Transfer; Mass Transfer; Chemical Reaction Engineering; Instrumentation and Process Control; Plant Design and Economics; Chemical Technology.
The paper is a 3-hour Computer-Based Test for 100 marks, including 15 marks of General Aptitude.
Allowed second-paper codes when CH is primary: ES, PE, XE.
The official IIT Madras PDF is available in the download section.
Quick facts
- Exam
- GATE
- Paper / stage
- CH · Chemical Engineering
- Current cycle
- 2027
- Page type
- Syllabus
- Conducting body
- GATE
- Language
- English
Detailed syllabus
GATE CH Syllabus 2027 Overview
The official GATE CH syllabus 2027 for Chemical Engineering is organized into 10 sections, covering Engineering Mathematics, Process Calculations, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations and the remaining paper-specific areas listed below. This page follows the IIT Madras syllabus order, provides the correct 100-mark exam pattern, and links the official PDF so aspirants can prepare from a complete, verified checklist.
How to Prepare from the GATE CH Syllabus
- Create one checklist for every official section and retain the same sequence used in the PDF.
- Start with a diagnostic test, then allocate more study time to weak high-coverage sections instead of dividing time equally.
- Solve previous-year GATE questions immediately after completing each topic and record errors by concept, calculation and time pressure.
- Revise formulas, definitions and frequently confused conditions in short weekly cycles, followed by mixed-section tests.
- Use the official PDF as the final scope document; coaching notes should expand a listed topic, not introduce an unrelated syllabus.
GATE CH Official Source and Internal Links
The syllabus tables were checked against the IIT Madras GATE 2027 CH PDF. Use the download section for the database-hosted copy, the GATE syllabus hub to switch papers, and the notification page for registration dates and policy updates.
Exam pattern
GATE CH Exam Pattern 2027
| Section | Marks | How it applies |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15 | Common to all GATE papers |
| Engineering Mathematics | 13 | Paper-specific engineering mathematics |
| Core subject questions | 72 | Selected test-paper syllabus |
| Total | 100 | 3-hour CBT |
Section: General Aptitude
- Marks
- 15
- How it applies
- Common to all GATE papers
Section: Engineering Mathematics
- Marks
- 13
- How it applies
- Paper-specific engineering mathematics
Section: Core subject questions
- Marks
- 72
- How it applies
- Selected test-paper syllabus
Section: Total
- Marks
- 100
- How it applies
- 3-hour CBT
GATE CH Question and Marking Rules
| Question type | Possible marks | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|
| MCQ | 1 or 2 | Yes: 1/3 for a wrong 1-mark MCQ; 2/3 for a wrong 2-mark MCQ |
| MSQ | 1 or 2 | No negative marking and no partial marking |
| NAT | 1 or 2 | No negative marking |
Question type: MCQ
- Possible marks
- 1 or 2
- Negative marking
- Yes: 1/3 for a wrong 1-mark MCQ; 2/3 for a wrong 2-mark MCQ
Question type: MSQ
- Possible marks
- 1 or 2
- Negative marking
- No negative marking and no partial marking
Question type: NAT
- Possible marks
- 1 or 2
- Negative marking
- No negative marking
Subject-wise syllabus
GATE CH Syllabus 2027 - Official Section-wise Topics
The tables below preserve the section order and complete topic coverage published by IIT Madras for the GATE 2027 CH paper. Use each table as a study and revision checklist, and verify any later corrigendum against the official PDF.
Section 1: Engineering Mathematics
| Topic area | Official syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Linear Algebra | Matrix algebra; Systems of linear equations; Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. |
| Calculus | Functions of single variable; Limit, continuity and differentiability; Taylor series; Mean value theorem; Evaluation of 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’s theorems. |
| Differential Equations | First order equations (linear and nonlinear); Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients; Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations; Initial and boundary value problems; Laplace transforms; Solutions of one-dimensional heat equation, wave equation, and Laplace equation. |
| Complex Variables | Complex number; polar form of complex number. |
| Probability and Statistics | Definitions of probability and sampling theorems; Conditional probability; Mean, median, mode, and standard deviation; Random variables; Poisson, Normal, and Binomial distributions. |
| Fundamentals of AI/ML | Linear Regression; Principal Component Analysis (PCA). |
| Numerical Methods | Numerical solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations; Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule; Single and multi-step methods for numerical solution of ordinary differential equations; Finite-difference method for partial differential equations. |
Topic area: Linear Algebra
- Official syllabus coverage
- Matrix algebra; Systems of linear equations; Eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
Topic area: Calculus
- Official syllabus coverage
- Functions of single variable; Limit, continuity and differentiability; Taylor series; Mean value theorem; Evaluation of 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’s theorems.
Topic area: Differential Equations
- Official syllabus coverage
- First order equations (linear and nonlinear); Higher order linear differential equations with constant coefficients; Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations; Initial and boundary value problems; Laplace transforms; Solutions of one-dimensional heat equation, wave equation, and Laplace equation.
Topic area: Complex Variables
- Official syllabus coverage
- Complex number; polar form of complex number.
Topic area: Probability and Statistics
- Official syllabus coverage
- Definitions of probability and sampling theorems; Conditional probability; Mean, median, mode, and standard deviation; Random variables; Poisson, Normal, and Binomial distributions.
Topic area: Fundamentals of AI/ML
- Official syllabus coverage
- Linear Regression; Principal Component Analysis (PCA).
Topic area: Numerical Methods
- Official syllabus coverage
- Numerical solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations; Integration by trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule; Single and multi-step methods for numerical solution of ordinary differential equations; Finite-difference method for partial differential equations.
Section 2: Process Calculations
| Topic area | Official syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Official coverage | Steady and unsteady state mass and energy balances including multiphase, multi -component, reacting and non-reacting systems; Use of tie components; Recycle, bypass and purge calculations; Gibbs phase rule and degree of freedom analysis. |
Topic area: Official coverage
- Official syllabus coverage
- Steady and unsteady state mass and energy balances including multiphase, multi -component, reacting and non-reacting systems; Use of tie components; Recycle, bypass and purge calculations; Gibbs phase rule and degree of freedom analysis.
Section 3: Thermodynamics
| Topic area | Official syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Official coverage | Laws of thermodynamics; Open and closed systems; Entropy and chemical potential; Thermodynamic properties of pure substances: equations of state and residual properties; Thermodynamic properties of mixtures: partial molar properties, fugacity, excess properties, and activity coefficients; Phase equilibria: predicting VLE of systems; Chemical reaction equilibrium. |
Topic area: Official coverage
- Official syllabus coverage
- Laws of thermodynamics; Open and closed systems; Entropy and chemical potential; Thermodynamic properties of pure substances: equations of state and residual properties; Thermodynamic properties of mixtures: partial molar properties, fugacity, excess properties, and activity coefficients; Phase equilibria: predicting VLE of systems; Chemical reaction equilibrium.
Section 4: Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations
| Topic area | Official syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Official coverage | Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids; Fluid statics; Surface Tension; Fluid kinematics; Equation of continuity, Equation of motion, Equation of mechanical energy; Macroscopic friction factors; Dimensional analysis and similitude; Inviscid flows: Euler equation; Flow through pipes: velocity profile, pressure drop, Bernoulli equation, flow meters; Pumps; Turbulent flow: fluctuating velocity, universal velocity profile, pressure drop; Elementary boundary layer theory; Flow past immersed bodies including packed and fluidized beds. |
| Official coverage | Particle size and shape; Particle size distribution; Size reduction and classification of solid particles; Free and hindered settling; Centrifuge and cyclones; Thickening and clarification; Filtration, agitation and mixing. |
Topic area: Official coverage
- Official syllabus coverage
- Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids; Fluid statics; Surface Tension; Fluid kinematics; Equation of continuity, Equation of motion, Equation of mechanical energy; Macroscopic friction factors; Dimensional analysis and similitude; Inviscid flows: Euler equation; Flow through pipes: velocity profile, pressure drop, Bernoulli equation, flow meters; Pumps; Turbulent flow: fluctuating velocity, universal velocity profile, pressure drop; Elementary boundary layer theory; Flow past immersed bodies including packed and fluidized beds.
Topic area: Official coverage
- Official syllabus coverage
- Particle size and shape; Particle size distribution; Size reduction and classification of solid particles; Free and hindered settling; Centrifuge and cyclones; Thickening and clarification; Filtration, agitation and mixing.
Section 5: Heat Transfer
| Topic area | Official syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Official coverage | Equation of energy; Steady and unsteady heat conduction, convection, and radiation; Thermal boundary layer and heat transfer coefficients; Boiling, condensation, and evaporation; Types of heat exchangers and evaporators and their process calculations; Design of double pipe, shell and tube heat exchangers, and single and multiple effect evaporators. |
Topic area: Official coverage
- Official syllabus coverage
- Equation of energy; Steady and unsteady heat conduction, convection, and radiation; Thermal boundary layer and heat transfer coefficients; Boiling, condensation, and evaporation; Types of heat exchangers and evaporators and their process calculations; Design of double pipe, shell and tube heat exchangers, and single and multiple effect evaporators.
Section 6: Mass Transfer
| Topic area | Official syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Official coverage | 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 and stage efficiencies; HTU & NTU concepts. |
| Fundamentals concepts and design of mass transfer operations | distillation, absorption, leaching, liquid-liquid extraction, drying, humidification, dehumidification and adsorption, membrane separations. |
Topic area: Official coverage
- Official syllabus coverage
- 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 and stage efficiencies; HTU & NTU concepts.
Topic area: Fundamentals concepts and design of mass transfer operations
- Official syllabus coverage
- distillation, absorption, leaching, liquid-liquid extraction, drying, humidification, dehumidification and adsorption, membrane separations.
Section 7: Chemical Reaction Engineering
| Topic area | Official syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Official coverage | Theories of reaction rates; Kinetics of homogeneous reactions; Interpretation of kinetic data; Single and multiple reactions in ideal reactors; Kinetics of enzyme reactions (Michaelis-Menten and Monod models); Non-ideal reactors: residence time distribution, single parameter model; Non-isothermal reactors; Kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions; Diffusion effects in catalysis; Catalyst deactivation. |
Topic area: Official coverage
- Official syllabus coverage
- Theories of reaction rates; Kinetics of homogeneous reactions; Interpretation of kinetic data; Single and multiple reactions in ideal reactors; Kinetics of enzyme reactions (Michaelis-Menten and Monod models); Non-ideal reactors: residence time distribution, single parameter model; Non-isothermal reactors; Kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions; Diffusion effects in catalysis; Catalyst deactivation.
Section 8: Instrumentation and Process Control
| Topic area | Official syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Official coverage | Measurement of process variables; Sensors and transducers; P&ID equipment symbols; Process modeling and linearization; State-space models; Transfer functions and dynamic responses of various systems; Systems with inverse response; Process reaction curve; Controller modes (P, PI, and PID); Control valves; Analysis of closed loop systems including stability, frequency response, controller tuning, cascade and feed forward control. |
Topic area: Official coverage
- Official syllabus coverage
- Measurement of process variables; Sensors and transducers; P&ID equipment symbols; Process modeling and linearization; State-space models; Transfer functions and dynamic responses of various systems; Systems with inverse response; Process reaction curve; Controller modes (P, PI, and PID); Control valves; Analysis of closed loop systems including stability, frequency response, controller tuning, cascade and feed forward control.
Section 9: Plant Design and Economics
| Topic area | Official syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Official coverage | Principles of process economics and cost estimation including depreciation and total annualized cost, cost indices, rate of return, payback period, discounted cash flow; Optimization in process design and sizing of chemical engineering equipment such as heat exchangers and multistage contactors; Batch plant scheduling. |
Topic area: Official coverage
- Official syllabus coverage
- Principles of process economics and cost estimation including depreciation and total annualized cost, cost indices, rate of return, payback period, discounted cash flow; Optimization in process design and sizing of chemical engineering equipment such as heat exchangers and multistage contactors; Batch plant scheduling.
Section 10: Chemical Technology
| Topic area | Official syllabus coverage |
|---|---|
| Official coverage | Overview of raw materials, unit operations, and processes involved in inorganic chemical industries (synthesis gas, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chlor-alkali industry), fertilizers (ammonia, urea), natural products industries (pulp and paper, sugar and ethanol), petroleum refining and petrochemicals (ethyl benzene, styrene, ethylene oxide), polymerization industries (polyethylene and polyester). |
Topic area: Official coverage
- Official syllabus coverage
- Overview of raw materials, unit operations, and processes involved in inorganic chemical industries (synthesis gas, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chlor-alkali industry), fertilizers (ammonia, urea), natural products industries (pulp and paper, sugar and ethanol), petroleum refining and petrochemicals (ethyl benzene, styrene, ethylene oxide), polymerization industries (polyethylene and polyester).
GATE CH Syllabus 2027: exam pattern and key details
| Detail | Current information |
|---|---|
| Exam | GATE |
| Paper / stage | CH · Chemical Engineering |
| Current cycle | 2027 |
| Page type | Syllabus |
| Conducting body | GATE |
| Language | English |
Detail: Exam
- Current information
- GATE
Detail: Paper / stage
- Current information
- CH · Chemical Engineering
Detail: Current cycle
- Current information
- 2027
Detail: Page type
- Current information
- Syllabus
Detail: Conducting body
- Current information
- GATE
Detail: Language
- Current information
- English
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not prepare from an old syllabus without comparing it with the latest official notice and the requirements for your exact exam stage.
Candidates also ask
The official CH syllabus contains 10 sections: Engineering Mathematics; Process Calculations; Thermodynamics; Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations; Heat Transfer; Mass Transfer; Chemical Reaction Engineering; Instrumentation and Process Control; Plant Design and Economics; Chemical Technology. The complete topic coverage is arranged in section-wise tables on this page.
GATE CH is a 100-mark, 3-hour Computer-Based Test. General Aptitude carries 15 marks and the remaining marks follow the paper-specific distribution shown above.
The initial GATE 2027 combination table permits these secondary codes when CH is primary: ES, PE, XE. Check the official portal for later changes.
Frequently asked questions
Use the featured PDF button on this page. It opens the database-hosted copy of the official IIT Madras CH syllabus.
Yes. General Aptitude is compulsory in every GATE 2027 test paper and carries 15 marks.
The paper uses Multiple Choice Questions, Multiple Select Questions and Numerical Answer Type questions carrying one or two marks.
Negative marking applies only to incorrect MCQs. MSQ and NAT questions have no negative marking, and MSQs have no partial marking.
Follow the official section order, complete topic-level concepts and examples, solve previous-year questions after each unit, and use full-length mock tests only after completing the major sections.
Downloads
Official GATE CH Syllabus 2027 PDF
- Download GATE CH Chemical Engineering Syllabus 2027 PDFNEWFEATUREDDownload
Official resources
GATE 2027 Syllabus HubOpen the referenced exam resource.
View resource GATE 2027 NotificationOpen the referenced exam resource.
View resource Official GATE CH Syllabus PDFOpen the referenced exam resource.
View resource GATE 2027 Information Brochure PDFOpen the referenced exam resource.
View resource IIT Madras Test Papers and SyllabusOpen the referenced exam resource.
View resource GATE ES SyllabusOpen the referenced exam resource.
View resource GATE official websiteVisit the conducting body’s official website.
View resource GATE Organising Institute official websiteVerify the latest rules and notices at the official source.
View resource
Topics covered
- GATE CH syllabus 2027
- Chemical Engineering
- GATE 2027 PDF
- IIT Madras
Research methodology and editorial review
Research methodology
GovtJobsNet editors compare the latest official GATE notice, conducting-body resources and published amendments before updating this page. Where an official 2027 document is pending, the page is marked and reviewed again after release.
- Last updated
- 4 August 2026
- Content cycle
- GATE 2027
Candidate questions and discussion
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