GATE CH at a Glance
Paper Code
CH
Paper Name
Chemical Engineering
Exam Authority
IISc / IITs (Rotational)
Exam Mode
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Duration
3 Hours (180 Minutes)
Important Dates
Check Latest Official Notification
Who Can Appear for GATE CH?
Standard official eligibility requirements for candidates.
Educational Qualification
Candidates currently in the 3rd or higher years of any undergraduate degree program OR who have already completed any government approved degree program in Engineering / Technology / Architecture / Science / Commerce / Arts are eligible.
Age Limit
There is absolutely no age limit criteria defined for candidates appearing for the GATE examination.
Number of Attempts
There is no restriction on the number of times a candidate can appear for the GATE examination.
GATE CH Exam Pattern
Structure and marking scheme of the Chemical Engineering paper.
| Section | Total Questions | Total Marks | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Aptitude (GA) | 10 Questions | 15 Marks | 15% |
| Engineering Mathematics | Combined with Core | ~13 Marks | ~13% |
| Core Chemical Engineering | 55 Questions (incl. Math) | 85 Marks (incl. Math) | ~72% |
| Total | 65 Questions | 100 Marks | 100% |
GATE CH Syllabus
Official subject-wise topic breakdown for Chemical Engineering.
01 Engineering Mathematics
Linear Algebra, Calculus, Differential equations, Complex variables, Probability and Statistics, Numerical Methods.
02 Process Calculations and Thermodynamics
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; Gibb's 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.
03 Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations
Fluid statics, surface tension, Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, transport properties, shell-balances including differential form of Navier-Stokes and continuity equations, energy equation, 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.
04 Heat Transfer
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.
05 Mass Transfer
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).
06 Chemical Reaction Engineering
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.
07 Instrumentation and Process Control
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.
08 Plant Design and Economics
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.
09 Chemical Technology
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).
Master Every GATE CH Subject
Focus on chapter-wise preparation and concept building.
Mass Transfer
One of the highest weightage subjects (10-12 marks). Master distillation, absorption, and extraction concepts thoroughly.
Practice Topics →Chemical Reaction Engineering (CRE)
Highly predictable numericals (10-12 marks). Focus on reactor design equations (PFR, CSTR) and kinetics.
Practice Topics →Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics
The conceptual core of chemical engineering. VLE calculations and Bernoulli's applications are must-do topics.
Practice Topics →How to Prepare for GATE CH
A structured approach specifically tailored for Chemical Engineering.
1 The "Big Four" First
Mass Transfer, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and CRE together form over 40% of the paper. Focus maximum time on these four subjects as they require deep conceptual clarity and heavy numerical practice.
2 Do Not Ignore Economics & Technology
Plant Design & Economics and Chemical Technology are highly scoring subjects that take very little time to prepare. They often yield 8-10 marks combined, which can drastically boost your rank.
3 Master the Calculator
CH papers involve extensive, multi-step calculations, especially in Thermodynamics (VLE equations) and CRE (reactor sizing). Get extremely comfortable with the on-screen GATE calculator.