CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus 2026: Download Official PDF, Important Topics, Subject-Wise, Important Books

Confused deciding whether acids are more powerful than bases or not? Love flexing your lab coats? Breaking Bad’s Heisenberg is your go-to character? Then congrats, Master’s in Chemistry is only for you. However, in this process, going through the CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus 2026 is the first step. A clear understanding of the syllabus helps in planning a focused preparation strategy. It also ensures that no important topic is missed. In this blog, we bring you the official CUET PG Chemistry syllabus PDF for download. Along with this, we have provided a subject-wise breakdown, a list of important topics, recommended books, and more.

CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus 2026 – Overview

The CUET PG Chemistry exam is designed to test students’ grasp of fundamental and advanced concepts. The syllabus is aligned with what you studied at the undergraduate level. However, it also includes topics that prepare students for postgraduate studies.

Before diving into the subject-wise syllabus, here’s a quick overview of the exam:

CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus 2026 Section-Wise Breakdown

The CUET PG Chemistry syllabus covers all three major branches of chemistry. This includes Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. It’s designed to test conceptual knowledge and application skills. Below is the detailed subject-wise breakdown:

Physical Chemistry

• Gaseous State: Real gases, van der Waals equation, critical constants, law of corresponding states, kinetic theory of gases, Maxwell distribution, viscosity, mean free path.
• Liquid State: Properties like vapour pressure, viscosity, surface tension; effect of solutes; structure of water.
• Ionic Equilibria: Strong/weak electrolytes, ionisation constant, buffer solutions, solubility product, acid-base theories, indicators.
• Solid State: Crystal systems, Bravais lattices, Miller indices, X-ray diffraction, crystal defects, liquid crystals.
• Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs/Helmholtz energy, free energy changes, thermochemistry, colligative properties.
• Molecular Spectroscopy & Photochemistry: Rotational, vibrational, Raman, electronic spectroscopy; Franck-Condon principle; fluorescence, phosphorescence, photochemical reactions.
• Chemical Kinetics: Order/molecularity, rate laws, complex reactions, Arrhenius equation, collision theory, transition state theory.
• Catalysis: Homogeneous & heterogeneous catalysis, enzyme catalysis, Michaelis-Menten mechanism.
• Surface Chemistry: Adsorption isotherms (Freundlich, Langmuir, BET), surface area determination.
• Phase Equilibria: Phase rule, phase diagrams, eutectic systems, binary systems, distribution law.
• Quantum Chemistry: Black-body radiation, photoelectric effect, Schrödinger equation, particle in a box, hydrogen atom, harmonic oscillator, rigid rotator, molecular orbital theory.
• Conductance & Electrochemistry: Conductivity, Kohlrausch’s law, Debye-Hückel theory, Faraday’s laws, Nernst equation, electrode potentials, EMF applications.

Inorganic Chemistry

• Atomic Structure: Bohr’s theory, quantum numbers, wave functions, orbital shapes, Aufbau principle, and Hund’s rule.
• Periodic Properties: Effective nuclear charge, atomic/ionic radii, ionisation energy, electron gain enthalpy, electronegativity trends.
• Chemical Bonding: Ionic & covalent bonds, VSEPR theory, VB & MO theory, hybridisation, resonance, dipole moment, metallic bonding, weak interactions (H-bonding, van der Waals).
• Metallurgy & Redox: Ellingham diagrams, extraction & purification of metals, redox equations, electrode potentials.
• s- & p-Block Elements: Inert pair effect, anomalous properties, hydrides, oxides, halogens, interhalogen compounds, pseudo-halogens.
• Noble Gases: Compounds of xenon (XeF₂, XeF₄, XeF₆), clathrates.
• Inorganic Polymers: Silicones, silicates, borazines, phosphazenes.
• Coordination Chemistry: Werner’s theory, VBT, CFT, Jahn-Teller distortion, CFSE, isomerism, chelates, IUPAC nomenclature.
• Transition Metals: General properties, variable oxidation states, colour, magnetism, catalytic behaviour, chemistry of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co.
• Lanthanides & Actinides: Electronic configurations, oxidation states, magnetic properties, lanthanide contraction, separation methods.
• Bioinorganic Chemistry: Role of metals in biological systems (Na/K pump, haemoglobin, enzymes), toxicity of heavy metals.
• Organometallic Compounds: Classification, hapticity, metal carbonyls, 18-electron rule, back bonding.

Organic Chemistry

• Fundamentals: Classification, hybridisation, electronic effects (inductive, resonance, hyperconjugation), reaction intermediates (carbocations, carbanions, radicals, carbenes).
• Stereochemistry: Fischer & Newman projections, optical activity, enantiomers, diastereomers, R/S & E/Z notations, meso compounds, racemates.
• Aliphatic Hydrocarbons: Preparation & reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, dienes, cycloalkanes; Diels–Alder reaction; conformational analysis.
• Aromatic Compounds: Huckel’s rule, aromaticity, electrophilic substitution (nitration, halogenation, sulphonation, Friedel–Crafts), substituent effects.
• Halogenated Hydrocarbons: SN1, SN2, SNi mechanisms, aromatic nucleophilic substitution, Grignard reagents.
• Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers & Epoxides: Preparation, properties, acidity, rearrangements (Pinacol–Pinacolone, Fries, Claisen).
• Carbonyl Compounds: Mechanisms (Aldol, Cannizzaro, Perkin, Claisen-Schmidt, Wittig, Baeyer–Villiger, etc.), reductions/oxidations, tautomerism.
• Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives: Acyl halides, esters, anhydrides, amides; mechanisms (Claisen, Hofmann, Curtius, etc.).
• Sulphur & Nitrogen Compounds: Thiols, sulfonic acids, amines, diazonium salts, important reactions.
• Polynuclear Aromatics & Heterocycles: Naphthalene, anthracene, pyridine, indole, quinoline, isoquinoline, synthesis methods (Skraup, Fischer indole, etc.).
• Natural Products: Alkaloids (nicotine, morphine, quinine, cocaine, reserpine), terpenes (citral, α-terpineol).
• Organic Spectroscopy: UV-Vis (Woodward–Fieser rules), IR (functional group identification), NMR (¹H, ¹³C, splitting, coupling), Mass spectrometry (fragmentation patterns).

CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus 2026 – SCQP08 Subject-Wise Summary

While the syllabus is vast, focusing on high-weightage topics can significantly improve your score. Here’s a subject-wise list of important topics you should prioritise:

Download CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus 2026 PDF

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official syllabus for CUET PG Chemistry 2026. Every aspirant is strongly advised to download and keep the syllabus PDF handy throughout their preparation journey.

Download the Official CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus 2026 PDF here.

Best Books & Study Materials for CUET PG Chemistry SCQP08 Syllabus

Preparing for CUET PG Chemistry requires a mix of NCERT fundamentals, UGC NET-level reference books, and PG entrance-focused study materials. Below is a curated list of books and resources that cover Physical, Inorganic, Organic, and Analytical Chemistry, helping you master the subject-wise CUET PG Chemistry syllabus.

Physical Chemistry Books for Covering CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus 

Inorganic Chemistry Books for Covering CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus

Organic Chemistry Books for Covering CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus

Analytical Chemistry Books for Covering CUET PG Chemistry Syllabus

Additional Study Materials

• Previous Year Question Papers & Sample Papers: Helps understand exam pattern, frequently asked topics, and difficulty level.
• NCERT Textbooks (11th & 12th): Strong conceptual foundation in all chemistry branches.
• Online Resources & Mock Tests: Platforms offering CUET PG-level mock tests can boost speed and accuracy.

Preparation Tips for CUET PG Chemistry 2026

• Understand the Exam Pattern & Syllabus
  • Go through the CUET PG Chemistry syllabus 2026 PDF download thoroughly.
  • Know the exam pattern, number of questions, marking scheme, and subject-wise weightage.
  • Identify strengths and weaknesses in Physical, Organic, Inorganic, and Analytical Chemistry.
• Focus on NCERT & Standard Reference Books
  • Build conceptual clarity with 11th & 12th NCERT Chemistry textbooks.
  • Use PG-level reference books (O.P. Tandon, J.D. Lee, Morrison & Boyd) for in-depth understanding.
  • Prioritise high-yield books listed in the Best Books section to save time.
• Make a Topic-Wise Study Plan
  • Divide preparation into Physical, Inorganic, Organic, and Analytical Chemistry blocks.
  • Allocate extra time to high-weightage and difficult topics.
  • Include daily revision for previously studied topics to reinforce memory.
• Practice Previous Year Papers & Mock Tests
  • Solve past CUET PG Chemistry papers for exam pattern familiarity.
  • Take regular mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
  • Analyse mistakes after each test and adjust the study plan accordingly.
• Focus on Conceptual Clarity
  • Avoid rote learning; emphasise reaction mechanisms, chemical principles, and numericals.
  • Use diagrams, reaction schemes, and tables for better retention.
  • Practice analytical problems and instrumental methods thoroughly.
• Time Management & Revision Strategy
  • Create a realistic timetable covering all subjects with a buffer for revision.
  • Prioritise high-yield topics in the final 4–6 weeks before the exam.
  • Use summary notes, flashcards, and formula sheets for quick revision.
• Stay Updated & Use Online Resources
  • Refer to video tutorials, online lectures, and interactive platforms for difficult topics.
  • Join study groups or forums to discuss doubts and learn problem-solving tricks.
  • Keep track of official CUET PG updates or syllabus changes.

Pro Tip: Combine structured study, consistent practice, and subject-wise revision to cover the syllabus efficiently.