GATE CH Syllabus 2027: Overview

Chemical Engineering in GATE combines mathematical methods with core chemical engineering principles such as material and energy balances, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, process control and plant economics.

Candidates should prepare both conceptual and numerical aspects because the syllabus includes several calculation-intensive topics such as process balances, fluid flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, reactor design and control systems.

GATE 2027 Chemical Engineering Syllabus at a Glance

Linear Algebra

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

Calculus

• Functions of a single variable.
• Limits, continuity and differentiability.
• Taylor series.
• Mean value theorem.
• 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' theorem.
• Gauss' theorem.
• Green's theorem.

Differential Equations

• First-order linear differential equations.
• First-order nonlinear differential equations.
• Higher-order linear differential equations with constant coefficients.
• Cauchy's equations.
• Euler's equations.
• Initial and boundary value problems.
• Laplace transforms.
• One-dimensional heat equation.
• One-dimensional wave equation.
• One-dimensional Laplace equation.

Complex Variables

• Complex numbers.
• Polar form of complex numbers.

Probability and Statistics

• Definitions of probability.
• Sampling theorems.
• Conditional probability.
• Mean, median and mode.
• Standard deviation.
• Random variables.
• Poisson distribution.
• Normal distribution.
• Binomial distribution.

Fundamentals of AI and Machine Learning

• Linear regression.
• Principal Component Analysis (PCA).

Numerical Methods

• Numerical solutions of linear algebraic equations.
• Numerical solutions of nonlinear algebraic equations.
• Trapezoidal rule.
• Simpson's rule.
• Single-step numerical methods for ordinary differential equations.
• Multi-step numerical methods for ordinary differential equations.
• Finite-difference method for partial differential equations.

• Steady-state mass balances.
• Unsteady-state mass balances.
• Steady-state energy balances.
• Unsteady-state energy balances.
• Multiphase systems.
• Multi-component systems.
• Reacting systems.
• Non-reacting systems.
• Use of tie components.
• Recycle calculations.
• Bypass calculations.
• Purge calculations.
• Gibbs phase rule.
• Degree of freedom analysis.

• Laws of thermodynamics.
• Open systems.
• Closed systems.
• Entropy.
• Chemical potential.
• Thermodynamic properties of pure substances.
• Equations of state.
• Residual properties.
• Partial molar properties.
• Fugacity.
• Excess properties.
• Activity coefficients.
• Phase equilibria.
• Prediction of vapor-liquid equilibrium of systems.
• Chemical reaction equilibrium.

Fluid Mechanics

• 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 and Euler equation.
• Flow through pipes.
• Velocity profiles.
• Pressure drop.
• Bernoulli equation.
• Flow meters.
• Pumps.
• Turbulent flow.
• Fluctuating velocity.
• Universal velocity profile.
• Pressure drop in turbulent flow.
• Elementary boundary layer theory.
• Flow past immersed bodies.
• Packed beds.
• Fluidized beds.

Mechanical Operations

• Particle size and shape.
• Particle size distribution.
• Size reduction of solid particles.
• Classification of solid particles.
• Free settling.
• Hindered settling.
• Centrifuges.
• Cyclones.
• Thickening.
• Clarification.
• Filtration.
• Agitation and mixing.

• Equation of energy.
• Steady-state heat conduction.
• Unsteady-state heat conduction.
• Convection.
• Radiation.
• Thermal boundary layer.
• Heat transfer coefficients.
• Boiling.
• Condensation.
• Evaporation.
• Types of heat exchangers.
• Process calculations for heat exchangers.
• Types of evaporators.
• Design of double-pipe heat exchangers.
• Design of shell-and-tube heat exchangers.
• Single-effect evaporators.
• Multiple-effect evaporators.

• Fick's laws.
• Molecular diffusion in fluids.
• Mass transfer coefficients.
• Film theory.
• Penetration theory.
• Surface renewal theory.
• Analogies between momentum, heat and mass transfer.
• Stage-wise contacting.
• Continuous contacting.
• Stage efficiencies.
• HTU and NTU concepts.
• Fundamentals and design of distillation.
• Absorption.
• Leaching.
• Liquid-liquid extraction.
• Drying.
• Humidification.
• Dehumidification.
• Adsorption.
• Membrane separations.

• Theories of reaction rates.
• Kinetics of homogeneous reactions.
• Interpretation of kinetic data.
• Single reactions in ideal reactors.
• Multiple reactions in ideal reactors.
• Kinetics of enzyme reactions.
• Michaelis-Menten model.
• Monod model.
• Non-ideal reactors.
• Residence time distribution.
• Single-parameter model.
• Non-isothermal reactors.
• Kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions.
• Diffusion effects in catalysis.
• Catalyst deactivation.

• Measurement of process variables.
• Sensors and transducers.
• P&ID equipment symbols.
• Process modeling and linearization.
• State-space models.
• Transfer functions.
• Dynamic responses of various systems.
• Systems with inverse response.
• Process reaction curve.
• Controller modes: P, PI and PID.
• Control valves.
• Closed-loop system analysis.
• Stability analysis.
• Frequency response.
• Controller tuning.
• Cascade control.
• Feed-forward control.

• Principles of process economics.
• Cost estimation.
• Depreciation.
• Total annualized cost.
• Cost indices.
• Rate of return.
• Payback period.
• Discounted cash flow.
• Optimization in process design.
• Sizing of chemical engineering equipment.
• Heat exchanger sizing.
• Multistage contactor sizing.
• Batch plant scheduling.

The Chemical Technology section covers raw materials, unit operations and major industrial processes across inorganic chemicals, fertilizers, natural products, petroleum refining, petrochemicals and polymer industries.

Important Topics for GATE CH 2027

GATE Chemical Engineering 2027 Preparation Strategy

Download GATE 2027 Chemical Engineering Syllabus PDF

The official Chemical Engineering syllabus PDF is available on the GATE 2027 IIT Madras website.