JEE Main Chemistry Syllabus 2026 for Physical, Inorganic and Organic

JEE Main Physical Chemistry Syllabus 2026

Unit No.

Unit Title

Main Topics Covered

1

Some Basic Concepts in Chemistry

Nature of matter, Dalton’s atomic theory, concept of atom, molecule, element, and compound.

Laws of chemical combination, atomic and molecular masses.

Mole concept, molar mass, percentage composition, empirical and molecular formulae.

Chemical equations and stoichiometry.

2

Atomic Structure

Nature of electromagnetic radiation, photoelectric effect, spectrum of hydrogen atom.

Bohr’s Model: Postulates, energy relations, limitations.

Modern Concepts: Dual nature of matter, de Broglie’s equation, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, quantum mechanical model.

Quantum numbers, shapes of orbitals, rules of electron filling (Aufbau, Pauli, Hund’s rule), electronic configuration, stability of half-filled and completely filled orbitals.

3

Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Ionic and Covalent Bonding: Kossel-Lewis theory, lattice enthalpy, electronegativity, Fajan’s rule, dipole moment.

VSEPR Theory: Shapes of molecules.

Quantum Mechanical Approach: Valence bond theory, hybridization (s, p, d), resonance.

Molecular Orbital Theory: LCAO, bonding and antibonding orbitals, bond order, bond length, energy, sigma and pi bonds.

Other Bonds: Metallic and hydrogen bonding.

4

Chemical Thermodynamics

Basic Concepts: System, surroundings, properties, and processes.

First Law: Work, heat, internal energy, enthalpy, heat capacity, Hess’s law.

Enthalpies: Bond dissociation, combustion, formation, atomization, sublimation, hydration, ionization.

Second Law: Entropy, spontaneity, Gibbs free energy, relationship between ΔG°, equilibrium constant.

5

Solutions

Methods of expressing concentration – molality, molarity, mole fraction, percentage.

Vapour pressure and Raoult’s law (ideal and non-ideal solutions).

Colligative properties – lowering of vapour pressure, depression of freezing point, elevation of boiling point, osmotic pressure.

Applications: Determination of molecular mass, van’t Hoff factor, abnormal molar mass.

6

Equilibrium

Dynamic Equilibrium: Physical and chemical processes.

Law of Chemical Equilibrium: Kp, Kc, ΔG and ΔG°, Le Chatelier’s principle.

Ionic Equilibrium: Ionization of electrolytes, pH scale, concepts of acids and bases (Arrhenius, Bronsted, Lewis).

Hydrolysis, solubility product, buffer solutions, common ion effect.

7

Redox Reactions and Electrochemistry

Redox Concepts: Oxidation, reduction, oxidation number, balancing redox equations.

Electrochemistry: Conductance, molar conductivity, Kohlrausch’s law.

Electrochemical Cells: Electrolytic and galvanic cells, electrode potentials, Nernst equation, EMF, Gibbs energy change.

Applications – dry cell, lead accumulator, fuel cells.

8

Chemical Kinetics

Rate of reaction, factors affecting rate (concentration, temperature, catalyst).

Order and Molecularity: Rate law, rate constant, half-life, differential and integral equations.

Temperature Effect: Arrhenius equation, activation energy, collision theory.

JEE Main Inorganic Chemistry Syllabus 2026

Unit No.

Unit Title

Main Topics Covered

9

Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

Modern Periodic Law and present periodic table.

Classification: s-, p-, d-, and f-block elements.

Periodic Trends: Atomic and ionic radii, ionization enthalpy, electron gain enthalpy, valence, oxidation states, and chemical reactivity.

10

p-Block Elements (Group 13 to 18)

General Introduction: Electronic configuration and position in the periodic table.

Trends Across Periods and Groups: Variation in physical and chemical properties.

Unique Behaviour: Distinct characteristics of the first element in each group.

11

d- and f-Block Elements

Transition Elements: General introduction, electronic configuration, occurrence, and features.

Trends in First-Row Transition Elements: Physical properties, ionization enthalpy, oxidation states, atomic radii, colour, catalytic behaviour, magnetic properties, complex formation, interstitial compounds, alloy formation.

Important Compounds: Preparation, properties, and uses of K₂Cr₂O₇ and KMnO₄.

Inner Transition Elements:

Lanthanoids – Electronic configuration, oxidation states, lanthanoid contraction.

Actinoids – Electronic configuration, oxidation states.

12

Coordination Compounds

Introduction and Definitions: Coordination compounds, Werner’s theory, ligands, coordination number, denticity, and chelation.

Nomenclature: IUPAC naming of mononuclear coordination compounds.

Isomerism: Structural and stereoisomerism in coordination compounds.

Bonding: Valence bond theory, basic ideas of crystal field theory, colour and magnetic properties.

Applications: Importance in qualitative analysis, extraction of metals, and biological systems.

JEE Main Organic Chemistry Syllabus 2026

Unit No.

Unit Title

Main Topics Covered

13

Purification and Characterisation of Organic Compounds

Purification Methods: Crystallization, sublimation, distillation, differential extraction, chromatography – principles and applications.

Qualitative Analysis: Detection of nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, halogens.

Quantitative Analysis (basic principles): Estimation of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, halogens, sulphur, phosphorus.

Calculations: Empirical and molecular formulae; numerical problems in organic quantitative analysis.

14

Some Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry

Tetravalency of Carbon, shapes of molecules (hybridization – s and p).

Classification: Functional groups containing halogens, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur.

Homologous Series, Isomerism: Structural and stereoisomerism.

Nomenclature: Trivial and IUPAC.

Covalent Bond Fission: Homolytic and heterolytic, formation of free radicals, carbocations, carbanions, stability, electrophiles and nucleophiles.

Electronic Displacement: Inductive, electromeric, resonance, hyperconjugation.

Types of Organic Reactions: Substitution, addition, elimination, rearrangement.

15

Hydrocarbons

Classification, Isomerism, IUPAC Nomenclature, general methods of preparation, properties, reactions.

Alkanes: Conformations (Sawhorse and Newman projections), halogenation mechanism.

Alkenes: Geometrical isomerism, electrophilic addition, addition of H₂, halogens, H₂O, HX (Markownikoff’s and peroxide effect), ozonolysis, polymerization.

Alkynes: Acidic character, addition of H₂, halogens, H₂O, HX, polymerization.

Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Benzene structure and aromaticity, electrophilic substitution (halogenation, nitration, Friedel–Craft’s reactions), directive influence of substituents.

16

Organic Compounds Containing Halogens

Preparation, Properties, Reactions of alkyl and aryl halides.

Nature of C–X Bond, Substitution Mechanisms.

Uses and Environmental Effects: Chloroform, iodoform, freons, DDT.

17

Organic Compounds Containing Oxygen

Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers: Preparation, properties, reactions, uses.

Alcohols: Identification of 1°, 2°, 3°; dehydration mechanism.

Phenols: Acidic nature, electrophilic substitution (halogenation, nitration, sulphonation), Reimer–Tiemann reaction.

Ethers: Structure and reactions.

Aldehydes and Ketones: Nature of carbonyl group, nucleophilic addition, Grignard reagent, oxidation–reduction (Wolff–Kishner, Clemmensen), aldol condensation, Cannizzaro, haloform reaction, distinguishing tests.

Carboxylic Acids: Acidic strength, influencing factors.

18

Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen

Amines: Preparation, properties, reactions, nomenclature, classification, structure, basic character, tests for 1°, 2°, 3° amines.

Diazonium Salts: Preparation, properties, uses, and importance in synthetic organic chemistry.

19

Biomolecules

General Introduction and Importance.

Carbohydrates: Classification, aldoses and ketoses, monosaccharides (glucose, fructose), constituent monosaccharides of sucrose, lactose, maltose.

Proteins: α-amino acids, peptide bond, levels of structure (primary → quaternary), denaturation, enzymes.

Vitamins: Classification and functions.

Nucleic Acids: DNA and RNA composition, biological roles.

Hormones: General introduction.

20

Principles Related to Practical Chemistry

Detection of Elements: Nitrogen, sulphur, halogens.

Detection of Functional Groups: Hydroxyl (alcoholic, phenolic), carbonyl (aldehyde, ketone), carboxyl, amino.

Chemistry of Preparation: Inorganic – Mohr’s salt, potash alum; Organic – acetanilide, p-nitroacetanilide, aniline yellow, iodoform.

Titrimetric Exercises: Acids–bases, indicators, oxalic acid vs KMnO₄, Mohr’s salt vs KMnO₄.

Salt Analysis: Cations (Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mg²⁺, NH₄⁺); Anions (CO₃²⁻, S²⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻).

Experimental Principles: Enthalpy of solution/neutralization, preparation of sols, kinetics of iodide–H₂O₂ reaction.

2

6.6%

Chemical & Ionic Equilibrium

2

6.6%

Solid-State & Surface Chemistry

2

6.6%

Nuclear & Environmental Chemistry

2

6.6%

Thermodynamics & Gaseous State

2

6.6%

Transition Elements & Coordination Compounds

3

9.9%

Periodic Table

3

9.9%