GATE CH syllabus 2026

Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

Functions of single variable, Limit, continuity and differentiability, Taylor series, Mean value theorems, Evaluation of definite and improper integrals, Partial derivatives, Total derivative, Maxima and minima, Grad, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities, Directional derivatives, Line, Surface and Volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems.

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 and wave equations and Laplace equation.

Complex number, polar form of complex number, triangle inequality.

Definitions of probability and sampling theorems, Conditional probability, Mean, median, mode and standard deviation, Random variables, Poisson, Normal and Binomial distributions, Linear regression analysis.

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 differential equations.

• 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. First and Second laws of thermodynamics. Applications of first law to close and open systems. Second law and Entropy. Thermodynamic properties of pure substances: Equation of State and residual properties, properties of mixtures: partial molar properties, fugacity, excess properties and activity coefficients
• phase equilibria: predicting VLE of systems
• chemical reaction equilibrium.

• Fluid statics, surface tension, Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, transport properties, shell-balances including differential form of Bernoulli equation and energy balance, 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, elementary boundary layer theory, flow past immersed bodies including packed and fluidized beds, Turbulent flow: fluctuating velocity, universal velocity profile and pressure drop. Particle size and shape, particle size distribution, size reduction and classification of solid particles
• free and hindered settling
• centrifuge and cyclones
• thickening and classification, filtration, agitation and mixing
• conveying of solids.

• 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.

• 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
• design and operation of equipment for distillation, absorption, leaching, liquid-liquid extraction, drying, humidification, dehumidification and adsorption, membrane separations (micro-filtration, ultra-filtration, nano-filtration and reverse osmosis).

• 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
• rate and performance equations for catalyst deactivation.

• Measurement of process variables
• sensors and transducers
• P&ID equipment symbols
• process modeling and linearization, transfer functions and dynamic responses of various systems, systems with inverse response, process reaction curve, controller modes (P, PI, and PID)
• control valves
• transducer dynamics
• analysis of closed loop systems including stability, frequency response, controller tuning, cascade and feed forward control.

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 equipments such as heat exchangers and multistage contactors.

• Inorganic chemical industries (sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chlor-alkali industry), fertilizers (Ammonia, Urea, SSP and TSP)
• natural products industries (Pulp and Paper, Sugar, Oil, and Fats)
• petroleum refining and petrochemicals
• polymerization industries (polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polyester synthetic fibers).

Basic English grammar: tenses, articles, adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, verb-noun agreement, and other parts of speech. Basic vocabulary: words, idioms, and phrases in context. Reading and comprehension, Narrative sequence.

Data interpretation: data graphs (bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphs representing data), 2- and 3-dimensional plots, maps, and tables. Numerical computation and estimation: ratios, percentages, powers, exponents and logarithms, permutations and combinations, and series. Mensuration and geometry. Elementary statistics and probability.

Logic: deduction and induction, Analogy, Numerical relations and reasoning.

Transformation of shapes: translation, rotation, scaling, mirroring, assembling, and grouping paper folding, cutting, and patterns in 2 and 3 dimensions.