JEE Main Chemistry Syllabus 2026: Subject-wise Topics & Tips

JEE Main Syllabus of Physical Chemistry

Chapter No.

Chapter Name

Subtopics

1

Some Basic Concepts in Chemistry

Matter and its nature; Dalton’s atomic theory; Concept of atom, molecule, element, compound; Laws of chemical combination; Atomic & molecular masses; Mole concept, molar mass; Percentage composition; Empirical & molecular formulae; Chemical equations & stoichiometry

2

Atomic Structure

Nature of electromagnetic radiation; Photoelectric effect; Hydrogen atom spectrum; Bohr model: postulates, energy & radius relations, limitations; Dual nature of matter, de Broglie relationship; Heisenberg uncertainty principle; Quantum mechanical model of atom; Atomic orbitals (1s, 2s); Quantum numbers (principal, angular, magnetic, spin); Shapes of s, p, d orbitals; Electron filling rules: Aufbau, Pauli, Hund; Electronic configuration and stability of half/full-filled orbitals

3

Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Kossel-Lewis approach: ionic & covalent bonds; Ionic bonding: formation, factors, lattice enthalpy; Covalent bonding: electronegativity, Fajan’s rule, dipole moment; VSEPR theory & molecular shapes; Valence Bond Theory: hybridization, resonance; Molecular Orbital Theory: LCAO, bonding & antibonding orbitals, sigma & pi bonds, bond order, bond length, bond energy; Metallic bonding & hydrogen bonding

4

Chemical Thermodynamics

Fundamentals: system, surroundings, extensive & intensive properties, state functions, entropy; First law of thermodynamics: work, heat, internal energy, enthalpy, heat capacity; Hess’s law & enthalpies: bond dissociation, combustion, formation, atomization, sublimation, phase transition, hydration, ionization, solution; Second law: spontaneity, ΔS, ΔG, ΔG°, equilibrium constant

5

Solutions

Concentration terms: molality, molarity, mole fraction, percentage (by volume & mass); Vapour pressure, Raoult’s Law (ideal & non-ideal); Colligative properties: relative lowering of vapour pressure, depression of freezing point, elevation of boiling point, osmotic pressure; Determination of molecular mass using colligative properties; Van’t Hoff factor and its significance

6

Equilibrium

Concept of dynamic equilibrium; Physical equilibria: solid-liquid, liquid-gas, gas-gas, solid-gas; Henry's Law; Chemical equilibrium: law of chemical equilibrium, equilibrium constants (Kp, Kc), ΔG & ΔG°, factors affecting equilibrium, Le Chatelier’s principle; Ionic equilibrium: weak & strong electrolytes, acid-base concepts (Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, Lewis), ionization constants, pH scale, common ion effect, hydrolysis of salts, solubility products, buffer solutions

7

Redox Reactions and Electrochemistry

Concepts of oxidation & reduction, redox reactions, oxidation number, rules for assigning oxidation number, balancing redox reactions; Electrolytic & metallic conduction, conductance in solutions, molar conductivity, Kohlrausch’s law; Electrochemical cells: electrolytic & Galvanic cells, electrodes, electrode potential, emf, Nernst equation, relation of cell potential & Gibbs energy; Dry cells, lead accumulator, fuel cells

8

Chemical Kinetics

Rate of chemical reaction, factors affecting rate (concentration, temperature, pressure, catalyst); Elementary & complex reactions, order & molecularity; Rate law & rate constant; Differential & integral forms of zero & first-order reactions, half-life; Effect of temperature, Arrhenius theory, activation energy, collision theory (bimolecular gaseous reactions)

Inorganic Chemistry JEE Main Syllabus

Section

Chapter Name

Inorganic Chemistry

Classification of Elements & Periodicity in Properties

Modern periodic law, periodic table, s, p, d, f block elements, periodic trends: atomic & ionic radii, ionization enthalpy, electron gain enthalpy, valence, oxidation states, chemical reactivity

p-Block Elements

Groups 13–18: electronic configuration, trends in physical & chemical properties, unique behaviour of first element in each group

d- & f-Block Elements

Transition Elements: general introduction, electronic configuration, occurrence, properties (physical, ionization enthalpy, oxidation states, colour, magnetism, catalytic behaviour, complex formation, interstitial compounds, alloys), preparation, properties & uses of K₂Cr₂O₇ and KMnO₄; Inner Transition Elements: Lanthanoids (electronic configuration, oxidation states, lanthanoid contraction), Actinoids (electronic configuration, oxidation states)

Coordination Compounds

Introduction: Werner’s theory, ligands, coordination number, denticity, chelation, IUPAC nomenclature, isomerism; Bonding: Valence bond theory, basic Crystal Field Theory, colour & magnetic properties, importance in qualitative analysis, metal extraction, biological systems

Organic Chemistry

Purification & Characterisation of Organic Compounds

Crystallization, sublimation, distillation, differential extraction, chromatography; Detection of N, S, P, halogens; Quantitative analysis (C, H, N, halogens, S, P); Calculation of empirical & molecular formulae

Some Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry

Tetravalency of carbon, hybridization, functional group classification, homologous series, isomerism (structural & stereoisomerism), nomenclature (trivial & IUPAC); Covalent bond fission, free radicals, carbocations, carbanions, electrophiles & nucleophiles; Electronic displacement: inductive, electromeric, resonance, hyperconjugation; Common reactions: substitution, addition, elimination, rearrangement

Hydrocarbons

Alkanes: conformations, halogenation; Alkenes: geometrical isomerism, electrophilic addition, polymerization; Alkynes: acidic character, addition & polymerization; Aromatics: benzene structure, aromaticity, electrophilic substitution, Friedel-Crafts alkylation & acylation, directive influence

Organic Compounds Containing Halogens

Preparation, properties, reactions, C–X bond nature, substitution mechanisms; Uses & environmental effects (chloroform, iodoform, freons, DDT)

Organic Compounds Containing Oxygen

Alcohols: identification, dehydration mechanism; Phenols: acidic nature, electrophilic substitution, Reimer-Tiemann reaction; Ethers: structure; Aldehydes & Ketones: nucleophilic addition, reactivity, reactions (Grignard, oxidation, reduction, Cannizzaro, Aldol, Haloform), chemical tests; Carboxylic acids: acidic strength & factors

Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen

Amines: nomenclature, classification, identification, basic character; Diazonium salts: importance in synthetic organic chemistry

Biomolecules

Carbohydrates: classification, monosaccharides (glucose, fructose), oligosaccharides (sucrose, lactose, maltose); Proteins: amino acids, peptide bonds, polypeptides, protein structure (primary–quaternary), denaturation, enzymes; Vitamins: classification & functions; Nucleic acids: DNA & RNA constitution, functions; Hormones: general introduction

Principles Related to Practical Chemistry

Detection of extra elements (N, S, halogens) & functional groups (hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, amino); Preparation of inorganic compounds (Mohr’s salt, potash alum) & organic compounds (Acetanilide, p-nitroacetanilide, aniline yellow, iodoform); Titrimetric exercises: acids, bases, oxalic acid vs KMnO₄, Mohr’s salt vs KMnO₄; Qualitative salt analysis: cations (Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Mg²⁺, NH₄⁺), anions (CO₃²⁻, S²⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻); Experiments: enthalpy of CuSO₄ solution, enthalpy of neutralization, lyophilic/lyophobic sols, kinetic study of iodide & hydrogen peroxide reaction

Organic Chemistry Topics for JEE Main 2026

Chapter

Key Topics

Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers

Preparation, properties, reactions, identification

Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives

Structure, acidity, reactions, important compounds

Amines

Classification, preparation, reactions, identification

Aromatic Compounds

Benzene, aromaticity, electrophilic substitution, derivatives

Hydrocarbons

Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, reactions

Biomolecules

Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins

Practical Organic Chemistry

Qualitative and quantitative analysis, detection of functional groups, preparation of key compounds

Deleted & Reduced Topics in Chemistry for JEE Main 2026

Chapter Name

Deleted Topics

Some Basic Concepts in Chemistry

Physical quantities and their measurements, Precision and accuracy, Significant figures, S.I. Units, Dimensional analysis

States of Matter

Classification of matter (solid, liquid, gas); Gaseous state: Boyle’s law, Charles’s law, Graham’s law of diffusion, Avogadro’s law, Dalton’s law of partial pressure, Absolute scale of temperature, Ideal gas equation, Kinetic theory of gases (only postulates), Average, root mean square and most probable velocities, Real gases, compressibility factor, van der Waals equation; Liquid state: vapour pressure, viscosity, surface tension, effect of temperature (qualitative); Solid state: molecular, ionic, covalent, metallic solids, amorphous & crystalline solids, Bragg’s law, unit cell, lattices, packing (fcc, bcc, hcp), voids, unit cell calculations, imperfections, electrical & magnetic properties

Atomic Structure

Thomson and Rutherford atomic models and their limitations

Surface Chemistry

Adsorption (physisorption & chemisorption), Freundlich & Langmuir isotherms, adsorption from solutions; Catalysis (homogeneous & heterogeneous), enzyme catalysis & mechanism; Colloidal state: distinction among solutions, colloids, suspensions; classification: lyophilic, lyophobic, multi-molecular, macromolecular, associated colloids; Preparation & properties of colloids, Tyndall effect, Brownian movement, electrophoresis, dialysis, coagulation, flocculation, emulsions & characteristics

General Principles & Processes of Isolation of Metals (Metallurgy)

Modes of occurrence of elements, minerals, ores; Steps in extraction of metals (concentration, reduction, refining) with reference to Al, Cu, Zn, Fe; Thermodynamic & electrochemical principles in metal extraction

Hydrogen

Position in periodic table, isotopes, preparation, properties & uses; Physical & chemical properties of water & heavy water; Hydrogen peroxide: structure, preparation, reactions, uses; Hydrides: ionic, covalent, interstitial; Hydrogen as fuel

S-Block Elements

General introduction

P-Block Elements

Electronic configuration & trends; Anomalous properties of first element in each group; Important compounds (Na₂CO₃, NaOH, NaHCO₃); Industrial uses of lime, limestone, Plaster of Paris, cement; Biological significance of Na, K, Mg, Ca; Group-wise compounds: Boron & Al, borax, boric acid, diborane, BF₃, AlCl₃, alums; Group 14: catenation, allotropes & oxides of carbon, SiCl₄, silicates, zeolites, silicones; Group 15: N & P compounds, allotropic P, NH₃, HNO₃, PH₃, P halides; Group 16: Ozone, allotropic S, H₂SO₄; Group 17: HCl, acidic trend of hydrogen halides, interhalogen compounds, oxides & oxoacids; Group 18: Noble gases, fluorides & oxides of Xe

Environmental Chemistry

Atmospheric, water & soil pollution; Tropospheric pollutants: oxides of C, N, S; Hydrocarbons: sources, harmful effects & prevention; Greenhouse effect & global warming; Acid rain; Particulate pollutants: smoke, dust, smog, fumes, mist; Stratospheric pollution: ozone formation & breakdown, ozone depletion; Water pollution: pathogens, organic & chemical pollutants; Soil pollution: pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides); Pollution control strategies

Polymers

General introduction & classification; Polymerization methods: addition, condensation; Copolymerization, natural & synthetic, rubber & vulcanization; Important polymers: polythene, nylon, polyester, bakelite, with monomers & uses

Chemistry in Everyday Life

Chemicals in medicines: analgesics, tranquilizers, antiseptics, disinfectants, antimicrobials, anti-fertility drugs, antibiotics, antacids, antihistamines; Chemicals in food: preservatives, artificial sweetening agents; Cleansing agents: soaps & detergents, cleansing action

Chapter-wise Weightage of Chemistry in JEE Main 2026

Chapter

Total Questions

Weightage

Mole Concept

1

3.3%

Redox Reactions

1

3.3%

Electrochemistry

1

3.3%

Chemical Kinetics

1

3.3%

Solution & Colligative Properties

1

3.3%

General Organic Chemistry

1

3.3%

Stereochemistry

1

3.3%

Hydrocarbon

1

3.3%

Alkyl Halides

1

3.3%

Carboxylic Acids & Their Derivatives

1

3.3%

Carbohydrates, Amino Acids & Polymers

1

3.3%

Aromatic Compounds

1

3.3%

Atomic Structure

2

6.6%

Chemical Bonding

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%