GATE Chemical Engineering (CH) Syllabus 2027 has been released by IIT Madras at gate2027.iitm.ac.in. IIT Madras is the organizing institute for GATE 2027. The syllabus covers eight core Chemical Engineering sections alongside Engineering Mathematics and General Aptitude. IIT Madras has revised the GATE 2027 syllabus after five years — download the updated official PDF before you start your preparation.
- The GATE 2027 CH paper tests 10 subject areas: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and eight core Chemical Engineering sections.
- The syllabus is revised for 2027 — IIT Madras updated multiple paper syllabi for the first time in five years.
- Mass Transfer carries the highest core-subject weightage at approximately 12.3% in the CH paper.
- The official GATE 2027 syllabus PDF is available at gate2027.iitm.ac.in.
- A new Robotics and Automation (RA) paper has been introduced in GATE 2027; the CH paper structure remains unchanged.
- The GATE 2027 CH exam has 65 questions worth 100 marks; negative marking applies to MCQs only.
- Registration for GATE 2027 has closed (extended deadline: October 5, 2026); the exam is scheduled for February 6–21, 2027.
Download the official GATE 2027 CH syllabus PDF from the IIT Madras GATE portal before finalising your study plan.
GATE 2027 Chemical Engineering Syllabus PDF: Download
Download the official GATE 2027 CH syllabus PDF from the IIT Madras GATE portal. The Information Brochure contains syllabi for all 30 test papers in one document.
| Document | Download Link |
|---|---|
| GATE 2027 CH Complete Syllabus | GATE 2027 CH Syllabus PDF (Official) |
| General Aptitude Syllabus (Common to all papers) | GATE 2027 General Aptitude Syllabus PDF |
| GATE 2027 Information Brochure (all 30 papers) | GATE 2027 Information Brochure PDF |
GATE Chemical Engineering Syllabus 2027: Overview
GATE 2027 is organized by IIT Madras. The Chemical Engineering (CH) paper is one of 30 test papers. You sit it as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of 3 hours. The paper tests three broad areas: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and core Chemical Engineering.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2027 |
| Organizing Institute | IIT Madras |
| Official Website | gate2027.iitm.ac.in |
| Paper Code | CH – Chemical Engineering |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 65 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Section Split | General Aptitude: 15 marks | Engineering Mathematics: ~13 marks | Core CH: ~72 marks |
| Question Types | MCQ, MSQ (Multiple Select), NAT (Numerical Answer Type) |
| Negative Marking | MCQs only — 1/3 for 1-mark questions; 2/3 for 2-mark questions |
| Syllabus Status | Released and revised for 2027 |
GATE 2027 Important Dates
Registration for GATE 2027 has closed. The next milestone is the application correction window, followed by admit card release and the February exam.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application Correction Window | November 2026 (Expected) | Upcoming |
| Exam City Allotment | January 4, 2027 | Upcoming |
| Admit Card Release | January 2027 (Date to be announced) | Upcoming |
| GATE 2027 Exam – Week 1 | February 6 & 7, 2027 | Upcoming |
| GATE 2027 Exam – Week 2 | February 13 & 14, 2027 | Upcoming |
| GATE 2027 Exam – Week 3 | February 20 & 21, 2027 | Upcoming |
| Result Declaration | March 19, 2027 | Upcoming |
| Score Card Available | After March 19, 2027 | Upcoming |
| GATE 2027 Official Notification | July 2026 | Over |
| Registration Opens (GOAPS) | August 27, 2026 | Over |
| Regular Registration Last Date | September 27, 2026 | Over |
| Extended Registration Last Date | October 5, 2026 | Over |
GATE 2027 Syllabus for General Aptitude
General Aptitude is common to all 30 GATE 2027 papers. It carries 15 marks. You will attempt 10 questions — 5 worth 1 mark each and 5 worth 2 marks each.
| Sub-section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability | Verbal Ability topics — Click Here English grammar, sentence completion, verbal analogies, word groups, instructions, critical reasoning, verbal deduction, reading comprehension, vocabulary in context. |
| Numerical Ability | Numerical Ability topics — Click Here Numerical computation, numerical estimation, numerical reasoning, data interpretation, basic arithmetic, ratio and proportion, percentages, permutations and combinations, probability, simple and compound interest. |
GATE 2027 Syllabus for Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Mathematics is common to most GATE papers. It carries approximately 13 marks in the GATE CH paper. Strong fundamentals here give you reliable marks with less effort than core subjects.
| Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
| Linear Algebra | Matrix algebra, systems of linear equations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. |
| Calculus | Calculus sub-topics — Click Here Functions of single variable; limit, continuity and differentiability; mean value theorems; evaluation of definite and improper integrals; double and triple integrals; partial derivatives, total derivative, Taylor series; gradient, divergence and curl; vector identities; directional derivatives; line, surface and volume integrals; Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems. |
| Differential Equations | Differential Equations sub-topics — Click Here First order equations (linear and nonlinear); higher order linear ODEs with constant coefficients; Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations; initial and boundary value problems; Laplace transforms; solutions of heat, wave and Laplace’s equations. |
| Complex Variables | Complex numbers, polar form of complex numbers, triangle inequality. |
| Probability and Statistics | Probability and Statistics sub-topics — Click Here Definitions of probability, Bayes’ theorem, conditional probability; mean, median, mode, standard deviation, confidence interval; discrete random variables: binomial, Poisson; continuous random variables: normal, exponential; linear regression. |
| Numerical Methods | Linear and nonlinear algebraic equations; trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule for numerical integration. |
GATE 2027 Chemical Engineering Section-wise Syllabus
The core Chemical Engineering portion carries approximately 72 marks across eight sections. All eight sections appear in every GATE CH paper — do not skip any section.
Section 1: Process Calculations and Thermodynamics
| Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
| Process Calculations | Sub-topics — Click Here Steady and unsteady state mass and energy balances for multiphase, multi-component, reacting and non-reacting systems; use of tie components; recycle, bypass and purge calculations; Gibbs’ phase rule; degree of freedom analysis. |
| Thermodynamics | Sub-topics — Click Here First and Second laws of thermodynamics; applications to closed and open systems; 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 including VLE prediction; chemical reaction equilibria. |
Section 2: Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations
| Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
| Fluid Mechanics | Sub-topics — Click Here Fluid statics, surface tension; Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids; transport properties; shell balances; creeping flow, laminar flow, boundary layer theory, turbulent flow; flow through pipes, Hagen–Poiseuille equation; fluidization; dimensionless numbers; concept of transfer units. |
| Mechanical Operations | Sub-topics — Click Here Particle size and shape; particle size distribution; size reduction and classification of solids; free and hindered settling; centrifuge and cyclones; thickening and classification; filtration; agitation and mixing; conveying of solids. |
Section 3: Heat Transfer
| Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
| Heat Transfer | Sub-topics — Click Here Steady and unsteady heat conduction; convection and radiation; thermal boundary layer and heat transfer coefficients; boiling, condensation and evaporation; types of heat exchangers; network analysis and sizing; effect of fouling; overall heat transfer coefficient. |
Section 4: Mass Transfer
| Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
| Mass Transfer | Sub-topics — Click Here Fick’s laws; molecular diffusion in fluids; mass transfer coefficients; film, penetration and surface renewal theories; momentum, heat and mass transfer analogies; stagewise and continuous contacting with stage efficiencies; HTU and NTU concepts; design and operation of absorption, stripping, distillation, extraction, leaching, drying, humidification, dehumidification and adsorption. |
Section 5: Chemical Reaction Engineering
| Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
| Reaction Engineering | Sub-topics — Click Here Theories of reaction rates; kinetics of homogeneous reactions; interpretation of kinetic data; single and multiple reactions in ideal reactors (CSTR, PFR, batch); non-ideal reactors; residence time distribution; single parameter model; non-isothermal reactors; kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions; diffusion effects in catalysis. |
Section 6: Instrumentation and Process Control
| Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
| Instrumentation and Control | Sub-topics — Click Here Measurement of process variables; sensors, transducers and their dynamics; transfer functions and dynamic responses; systems with inverse response; process reaction curve; controller modes (P, PI and PID); control valves; closed loop system analysis — stability, frequency response, controller tuning, cascade and feed-forward control. |
Section 7: Plant Design and Economics
| Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
| Plant Design and Economics | Sub-topics — Click Here Principles of process economics and cost estimation; depreciation and total annualized cost; cost indices; rate of return; payback period; discounted cash flow; optimization in design. |
Section 8: Chemical Technology
| Unit | Topics |
|---|---|
| Inorganic Chemicals and Fertilizers | Sub-topics — Click Here Inorganic chemical industries: sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chlor-alkali industry. Fertilizers: ammonia, urea, SSP and TSP. |
| Natural Products, Petrochemicals and Polymers | Sub-topics — Click Here Natural products industries: pulp and paper, sugar, oil, soap and detergents, pharmaceuticals. Petroleum refining and petrochemicals. Polymerization industries: polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polyester. Cement industries. |
GATE 2027 Syllabus Changes: What’s New?
IIT Madras revised the GATE 2027 syllabus after a five-year gap. Verify all topic-level changes against the official GATE 2027 Information Brochure at gate2027.iitm.ac.in.
| Change | Details | Impact on CH Paper |
|---|---|---|
| New Robotics and Automation (RA) Paper | RA is a new standalone GATE 2027 test paper. It covers robotics kinematics, AI-based vision and embedded systems. | No change to CH syllabus content. CS, ME and EE students may now choose RA as a second paper option. |
| Textile Engineering (TF) Restructured | TF moved under Engineering Sciences (XE) as a sectional component. | No impact on CH paper. |
| Multiple Syllabi Revised | IIT Madras updated syllabi across several papers. The revision reflects recent advances in engineering and science. | Download the GATE 2027 CH syllabus PDF for confirmed topic-level updates to the Chemical Engineering paper. |
| XE, XH, XL Section Codes Updated | Sectional paper codes within these multidisciplinary papers were revised. | No direct impact on CH paper. |
Source: gate2027.iitm.ac.in — GATE 2027 Official Portal, IIT Madras
GATE CH Chapter-wise Weightage (Based on 5-Year Trend: 2021–2025)
The table below shows average subject weightage across GATE CH papers from 2021 to 2025. Use it to prioritise your preparation. Actual GATE 2027 distribution may differ from this historical trend.
| Subject / Section | Approx. Weightage (%) | Preparation Priority |
|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude | 15.38% | High |
| Engineering Mathematics | 14.15% | High |
| Mass Transfer | 12.31% | High |
| Process Calculations and Thermodynamics | 11.08% | High |
| Instrumentation and Process Control | 10.77% | High |
| Chemical Reaction Engineering | 10.46% | High |
| Heat Transfer | 9.23% | Medium |
| Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations | 8.62% | Medium |
| Chemical Technology | 4.92% | Medium |
| Plant Design and Economics | 3.08% | Low |
Weightage data sourced from trend analysis of GATE CH papers 2021–2025. GATE 2027 question distribution is set independently by IIT Madras.
Best Books for GATE Chemical Engineering 2027
These books align closely with the GATE CH syllabus and are consistently recommended based on previous year question patterns.
| Subject | Book Name | Author / Publisher | Why This Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics | Higher Engineering Mathematics | B.S. Grewal / Khanna Publishers | Covers all EM units in the GATE CH syllabus; clear examples |
| Process Calculations and Thermodynamics | Stoichiometry | B.I. Bhatt & S.B. Thakore / McGraw-Hill | Standard reference for GATE-level mass and energy balance problems |
| Thermodynamics | Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | Smith, Van Ness, Abbott / McGraw-Hill | In-depth coverage of phase equilibria, VLE and thermodynamic properties |
| Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations | Coulson and Richardson’s Chemical Engineering, Vol. 2 | Coulson, Richardson / Butterworth-Heinemann | Authoritative source for fluid mechanics and particle technology |
| Heat Transfer | Heat Transfer (10th Edition) | J.P. Holman / McGraw-Hill | Clear treatment of conduction, convection, radiation and heat exchangers |
| Mass Transfer | Mass-Transfer Operations (3rd Edition) | Robert E. Treybal / McGraw-Hill | Benchmark text for GATE Mass Transfer — covers all key unit operations |
| Chemical Reaction Engineering | Chemical Reaction Engineering (3rd Edition) | Octave Levenspiel / Wiley | Standard GATE reference for ideal reactors, RTD and catalytic kinetics |
| Instrumentation and Process Control | Process Systems Analysis and Control | Coughanowr and LeBlanc / McGraw-Hill | Covers transfer functions, PID tuning and closed-loop stability |
| Previous Year Papers | GATE 2027 Chemical Engineering Previous Year Solved Papers | MADE EASY Publications | Topic-wise solved papers with step-by-step solutions for exam practice |
How to Download GATE 2027 Chemical Engineering Syllabus PDF
Follow these steps to download the official GATE 2027 CH syllabus PDF from the IIT Madras GATE portal.
- Visit the official GATE 2027 website at gate2027.iitm.ac.in.
- Click the "Syllabus" link in the main navigation menu.
- Select "CH – Chemical Engineering" from the list of 30 test papers.
- The syllabus PDF will open in a new browser tab.
- Press Ctrl + S (Windows) or Cmd + S (Mac) to save the PDF to your device.
- Alternatively, download the full GATE 2027 Information Brochure from the same page. It contains syllabi for all 30 papers in one document.
Note: Always download from the official IIT Madras GATE 2027 portal. The 2027 syllabus is revised — older versions from coaching sites may not reflect the latest changes.
GATE 2027 Chemical Engineering Preparation Tips
You have roughly four months before GATE 2027 in February. Use this subject-wise strategy to cover the full CH syllabus efficiently.
General Aptitude and Engineering Mathematics
- Dedicate 15–20 days to Engineering Mathematics. It carries over 14% weightage and is entirely formula-driven.
- Practice Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions for calculus and differential equations.
- Solve 3–4 previous year GA sections to build speed in verbal and numerical ability.
- GA needs just 10–15 days of focused practice. No heavy study is required.
High-Weightage Core Subjects
- Mass Transfer (12.3%) is the highest-weightage core section — dedicate at least 3 weeks to it.
- Cover distillation, absorption and extraction in depth. These topics appear in every GATE CH paper.
- For Instrumentation and Process Control, master PID controller tuning and Bode plot analysis. These are reliable scoring topics every year.
- In Chemical Reaction Engineering, focus on ideal reactor design (CSTR, PFR, batch) and residence time distribution.
- Thermodynamics phase equilibria and VLE calculations are high-difficulty but frequently tested in GATE.
Medium-Weightage Subjects
- Heat Transfer questions often test heat exchanger calculations. Practice LMTD and NTU-effectiveness methods.
- For Fluid Mechanics, focus on pipe flow, Bernoulli’s equation and fluidization — these recur year after year.
- Allocate 2 weeks each to Heat Transfer and to Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations.
Lower-Weightage Subjects
- Chemical Technology is largely factual. One focused week of study covers it for most students.
- Plant Design and Economics carries only 3% weightage. Cover cost estimation formulas and cash flow concepts in 4–5 days.
- Do not skip these sections — even 3 marks can shift your rank significantly at the cut-off boundary.
Mock Tests and Final Revision
- Start full-length mock tests at least 6 weeks before your scheduled exam date.
- Analyse every error by subject and topic to close weak spots systematically.
- Revisit the GATE 2027 revised syllabus PDF carefully. Any newly added topic from the 2027 update could appear on the paper.
GATE Chemical Engineering Syllabus 2027 FAQs
Ques. Is the GATE 2027 CH syllabus the same as GATE 2026?
Ans. IIT Madras revised the GATE 2027 syllabus after five years. The core Chemical Engineering sections are largely unchanged. However, you should download the updated official syllabus PDF at gate2027.iitm.ac.in to verify any topic-level changes specific to the CH paper.
Ques. Which subject has the highest weightage in GATE Chemical Engineering?
Ans. Among core Chemical Engineering sections, Mass Transfer carries the highest average weightage at approximately 12.3%, based on GATE CH papers from 2021 to 2025. Overall, General Aptitude (15.4%) and Engineering Mathematics (14.2%) are the largest sections in the paper.
Ques. How many sections are in the GATE 2027 CH paper?
Ans. The GATE 2027 CH paper covers 10 areas: General Aptitude, Engineering Mathematics, and eight core Chemical Engineering sections — Process Calculations and Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations, Heat Transfer, Mass Transfer, Chemical Reaction Engineering, Instrumentation and Process Control, Plant Design and Economics, and Chemical Technology.
Ques. Where can I download the GATE 2027 Chemical Engineering syllabus PDF?
Ans. You can download the official GATE 2027 CH syllabus PDF from the IIT Madras GATE portal at gate2027.iitm.ac.in. Click on Syllabus in the navigation menu and select Chemical Engineering (CH) from the list of 30 test papers.
Ques. Has the GATE 2027 CH syllabus been revised?
Ans. Yes. IIT Madras revised GATE 2027 test paper syllabi — the first major update in five years. A new Robotics and Automation (RA) paper was also introduced. Verify specific CH topic-level changes in the official GATE 2027 Information Brochure at gate2027.iitm.ac.in.
Ques. How many questions and marks are in the GATE CH paper?
Ans. The GATE 2027 CH paper has 65 questions carrying 100 marks. The paper includes MCQs, MSQs (Multiple Select Questions) and NAT (Numerical Answer Type) questions. Negative marking applies to MCQs only — MSQ and NAT questions carry no negative marks.
Ques. Which are the most important topics in Chemical Reaction Engineering for GATE?
Ans. Based on previous year trends, the most tested CRE topics are ideal reactor design (CSTR, PFR, batch) and residence time distribution. Non-isothermal reactor analysis and heterogeneous catalytic kinetics are also tested regularly. CRE carries approximately 10.5% weightage in the GATE CH paper.
Ques. What books should I follow for Mass Transfer in GATE CH?
Ans. Mass-Transfer Operations by Robert E. Treybal (McGraw-Hill) is the standard reference for GATE Mass Transfer questions. It covers all key unit operations tested in GATE. You can supplement it with Coulson and Richardson’s Chemical Engineering, Volume 2, for particle and fluid-contact operations.
Ques. Is a GATE CH score valid for PSU recruitment?
Ans. Yes. A valid GATE score qualifies you for recruitment by PSUs such as IOCL, BPCL, ONGC and HPCL. Each PSU announces its own cut-off. The GATE 2027 scorecard stays valid for three years from the result declaration date (March 19, 2027).
Ques. How should I cover the full GATE CH syllabus in four months?
Ans. Spend the first two months covering all sections once. Prioritise high-weightage subjects: Mass Transfer, Process Calculations, Thermodynamics, CRE and IPC. Use month three for topic-wise previous year questions. Spend the final month on full-length mock tests, error analysis and revision of the GATE 2027 updated syllabus.
Ques. What is the exam date for GATE 2027 Chemical Engineering?
Ans. GATE 2027 runs across three weekends: February 6–7, February 13–14, and February 20–21, 2027. The specific date for the CH paper will be stated on the admit card. Results are expected on March 19, 2027.
Ques. Does the GATE 2027 CH paper have negative marking?
Ans. Yes, but only for MCQs. For a 1-mark MCQ, 1/3 mark is deducted for a wrong answer. For a 2-mark MCQ, 2/3 mark is deducted. MSQs and NAT questions carry no negative marking. Never leave a NAT question blank if you have a reasonable estimate.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
`★ Insight ─────────────────────────────────────` The dates table applies the skill’s Rule 2 (upcoming first): all eight 2027 events (correction window through scorecard) appear at the top in chronological order; all four past events (notification through extended registration) appear at the bottom with red "Over" status tags. This keeps the table useful as time passes — the next actionable event is always row 1. `─────────────────────────────────────────────────`
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