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CUET Chemistry Syllabus 2026: Check Detailed Syllabus Topics

Author : Chetanya Rai

January 7, 2026

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Overview: Do you know that NTA has reduced the units in the CUET Chemistry syllabus from 16 to 10? Since Chemistry is one of the most popular domain subjects in CUET 2026, knowing the entire syllabus including, all the chapters, topics, and sub-topics is essential to score 250/250 if you take the Chemistry test. 

Chemistry is mandatory for admission to over 50 Science and Engineering UG courses offered by 280+ universities. In 2025, around 5,70,869 students appeared for the test paper, and the highest score was 247.64. Understanding the CUET chemistry syllabus is important to know the topics to prepare, important chapters and more since:

  • There will be one Chemistry question paper with 50 questions, of which all 50 questions are compulsory.
  • The syllabus includes 10 units based on the Class 12 syllabus.

CUET Chemistry Syllabus 2026 Overview

For the CUET exam, half of the board exam syllabus, or the chapters and subjects covered in Class 12, are included in the syllabus for CUET Chemistry question paper

  • Unlike NEET and JEE Mains, the Class 11 syllabus is not included in the CUET chemistry syllabus.
  • Although the exam's difficulty level is lower than these tests, it requires thorough preparation due to intense competition. 
  • You must review past years' question papers to gain further insights into the exam's topics, patterns, question types, and high-weightage topics.

CUET Chemistry Syllabus 2026 PDF Download Link

The chemistry syllabus for CUET 2026 has been released. Unlike the previous year's syllabus, the CUET exam chemistry syllabus 2026 has been reduced from 16 units to 10 units. 

CUET Chemistry Syllabus 2026 Topics (Unit-Wise) (Subject Code 306)

The CUET Chemistry syllabus (306) for 2026 is aligned with NCERT Class 12 Chemistry topics as specified in the official CUET(UG) syllabus.

Here's the detailed distribution: 

Unit 1: Solutions

  • Types of solutions; expressing concentration; solubility of a solid in a liquid; solubility of gases in liquids
  • Henry’s law; vapour pressure of liquid–liquid solutions; Raoult’s law
  • Vapour pressure of solutions of solids in liquids; ideal & non-ideal solutions; azeotropes (elementary idea)
  • Colligative properties & molar mass determination: relative lowering of vapour pressure, elevation of boiling point, depression of freezing point, osmosis & osmotic pressure
  • Reverse osmosis & water purification; abnormal molar masses; Van’t Hoff factor

Unit 2: Electrochemistry

  • Electrochemical cells & galvanic cells; standard electrode potential (and measurement); EMF of cell
  • Nernst equation & applications (including equilibrium constant and Ecell calculations)
  • Gibbs energy of reaction & relation with cell EMF
  • Conductance of electrolytic solutions; measurement of conductivity; specific & molar conductivity; variation with concentration
  • Kohlrausch law & applications
  • Electrolytic cells & electrolysis; Faraday’s laws; products of electrolysis
  • Batteries (primary & secondary), fuel cell; corrosion

Unit 3: Chemical Kinetics

  • Rate of reaction (average & instantaneous); factors affecting rate (concentration, temperature, catalyst)
  • Rate law & rate constant; order and molecularity
  • Integrated rate equations & half-life (zero and first order only); pseudo first order reactions
  • Arrhenius equation; activation energy
  • Collision theory for bimolecular elementary reactions + limitations

While preparing, focus more on Physical and Organic Chemistry from the syllabus of CUET Chemistry. Check the CUET cut-off trends for past years to set achievable targets for yourself.

Unit 4: d and f Block Elements

  • Position of d- and f-block elements; electronic configurations; general properties & trends of transition elements
  • Trends: physical properties; atomic/ionic size & lanthanoid contraction; ionisation enthalpy; oxidation states
  • Standard electrode potential trends (M2+/M and M3+/M2+); stability of higher oxidation states; reactivity and E° values
  • Magnetic properties; coloured ions; complex formation; catalytic properties; interstitial compounds; alloy formation
  • Nature of oxides & oxoanions of d-block metals
  • Important compounds: K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4
  • Lanthanoids & actinoids: general properties, oxidation states, comparison; applications of d- and f-block elements

Unit 5: Coordination Compounds

  • Basics: coordination entity, central atom/ion, ligands, coordination number, coordination sphere, polyhedron, oxidation number
  • Werner’s theory; double salts; homoleptic/heteroleptic complexes
  • IUPAC nomenclature; isomerism
  • Bonding: VBT (and limitations), CFT (colour & magnetic properties) + limitations; spectrochemical series
  • Shape & bonding in metal carbonyls
  • Importance and applications of coordination compounds

Once the CUET Chemistry syllabus pdf download is complete, don't get overwhelmed with more units. Review the syllabus carefully and divide your CUET preparation schedule to cover each unit. 

The CUET Chemistry syllabus is vast. In 2024, around 6 questions were included from these units, making it one of the most important topics to focus on during preparation. Go through the CUET previous year question papers to get a hold of this topic and improve speed and accuracy.

Unit 6: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

  • Classification & nomenclature; nature of C–X bond
  • Methods of preparation; physical properties (bp, density, solubility); chemical properties
  • Stereochemical aspects of SN reactions (optical activity, chirality, retention, inversion, racemisation)
  • Important polyhalogen compounds: CH2Cl2, CHCl3, CHI3, CCl4, freons, DDT

Unit 7: Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers

  • Classification & nomenclature; functional group structures
  • Methods of preparation; physical properties (bp & solubility)
  • Chemical properties of alcohols (including cleavage of C–O and O–H bonds)
  • Phenols: oxidation/reduction; key reactions
  • Ethers: chemical properties
  • Commercially important alcohols: methanol & ethanol

Unit 8: Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids

  • Carbonyl compounds: introduction, nomenclature, carbonyl structure
  • Aldehydes & ketones: preparation, physical properties (bp & solubility), chemical properties, uses
  • Carboxylic acids: carboxyl group structure, preparation, physical properties (bp & solubility), chemical properties, uses

The last 2 units of the CUET Chemistry Syllabus are short, yet two of the important units. To be eligible for maximum universities, solve as many CUET Chemistry sample papers as possible to improve your accuracy and speed.

Unit 9: Amines

  • Amines: structure, classification & nomenclature; preparation; physical properties (bp & solubility)
  • Basic character & chemical properties
  • Aliphatic and aromatic diazonium salts: preparation; physical & chemical properties; importance in synthesis of aromatic compounds

Unit 10: Biomolecules

  • Carbohydrates: classification; preparation and structure of glucose & fructose; D & L configuration
  • Disaccharides (sucrose, maltose, lactose) and polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, glycogen); importance
  • Amino acids: types/classification; proteins (structure/types); denaturation; enzymes; mechanism of enzyme action (elementary idea)
  • Vitamins: types, sources and deficiency diseases
  • Nucleic acids: types, composition, structure and biological importance
  • Hormones: classification, biological importance and deficiency diseases

The CUET Chemistry Syllabus and question paper will test you heavily on application, concept, and case study-based questions. Review each aspect of the syllabus to clear the cut-off for maximum CUET universities for UG courses.

cuet chemistry syllabus 2026

CUET Chemistry Paper Pattern 2026 

  • The CUET syllabus for Chemistry includes 10 units to be covered.
  • The CUET Chemistry question paper will have 50 questions, out of which all 50 must be attempted.
  • Exam Duration: 60 minutes
  • Marking: +5 for each correct answer, -1 for each wrong answer
  • Maximum Marks: 250
  • You must go through the CUET exam analysis for Chemistry for 2025 to know how the paper may look in 2026, what type of questions were asked, and the difficulty level.

cuet exam results

cuet exam results

How to Prepare for CUET Chemistry Syllabus 2026

  • Read your NCERT books and prepare good notes for revision. 
  • Take regular quizzes and solve practice questions in your CUET preparation books for Chemistry regularly.
  • Prioritize Physical Chemistry and cover topics such as Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry, Solutions, and Electrochemistry. 
  • For Organic Chemistry, focus on chapters such as Haloalkanes and Haloarenes, Biomolecules, Aldehydes, Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers, Polymers, and Chemistry in Everyday Life. 
  • Inorganic chemistry is a challenging topic because it requires memorizing, as highlighted in the CUET Chemistry Syllabus. Study using a mind map and making notes.
  • Focus on P-block elements, Coordination Compounds, General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements, and d- and f-block Elements. For this, you can use flashcards, write the formulae on paper, and paste them on your study table so you can take a glance often.
  • Solve 10-15 mocks monthly to check your performance and improvement over the months.

CUET resources

CUET resources

Best Preparation Books for CUET Chemistry Syllabus 2026

For preparing the important CUET Chemistry chapter-wise weightage topics, here are the top books suggested by toppers and experts:

Best Books  Author
CUET UG Comprehensive Series for Chemistry SuperGrads
CUET Self Scorer Test series  SuperGrads
Other Reference Books Author
A Textbook of Physical Chemistry Dr RK Gupta
A Textbook of Organic Chemistry Dr OP Tandon
A Textbook of Inorganic Chemistry Dr OP Tandon
Concise Inorganic Chemistry JD Lee
Chemistry Textbooks for Class 12 NCERT

CUET Mocks

CUET Mocks

CUET Eligibility for Science Courses 2026

  • Most colleges require you to have studied Chemistry in classes 11 and 12. Visit the official websites of the respective colleges you desire to study at. 
  • To be eligible to apply for the UG courses, you must also have a minimum valid score in chemistry in Class 12th. 
  • Relaxation applies to SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS category students.

Once you satisfy the eligibility requirements, complete the CUET application form 2026

Key Takeaways

  • Understand the exam pattern- Firstly, know the question paper structure to decide on the preparation strategy for chemistry CUET syllabus.
  • Focus on Fundamentals- Complete all the fundamentals of 10 CUET Chemistry Syllabus 2026 units from your NCERT books. 
  • Choose the right books- Select the latest and updated books with 30-40 chapter-wise practice questions.
  • Practice from mock tests and previous year's question papers- Take weekly and monthly tests to analyse your score and improve your weaknesses.
  • Analyse your Performance- Only taking tests is not enough. Get your mocks analysed by teachers or experts to improve accuracy and your score.
  • Join Marathon Classes- You can join Supergrads CUET online coaching 2026 for marathon sessions for your performance evaluation and expert guidance. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it vital to study the NCERTs for Class 12 for the CUET Chemistry Syllabus?

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Are there any colleges that provide Chemistry classes that may be used toward the CUET score?

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What kind of preparation should we do for the CUET Chemistry Syllabus?

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How can I effectively prepare for the Chemistry section of CUET 2026?

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What is the total number of chapters included in the CUET Chemistry Syllabus?

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Can I refer to the previous years' question papers to understand the pattern of the Chemistry section in CUET?

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Can I expect questions beyond the prescribed syllabus in the Chemistry section of CUET 2026?

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Where can I obtain the full CUET Chemistry Syllabus PDF?

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About the Author

Faculty
Chetanya Rai

Communications Executive (CUET)

Chetanya Rai is a Content Writer with over two years of experience, known for creativity and storytelling. Also, he loves writing personal finance content through which he helps readers understand money management, budgeting, and investing in a simple yet relatable way.... more

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