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Chemistry Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025
Complete syllabus guide for Chemistry Optional in UPSC Civil Services Examination. Master both papers with our comprehensive study material.
PAPER—I
1. Atomic Structure
- Heisenberg's uncertainty principle
- Schrödinger wave equation (time independent)
- Interpretation of wave function
- Particle in one-dimensional box
- Quantum numbers
- Shapes of s, p, d orbitals
- Aufbau and Pauli exclusion principles
- Hund's multiplicity rule
- Electronic configurations of elements and ions
2. Chemical Bonding
- Ionic bond: characteristics, energy, Born-Haber cycle
- Covalent bond and its general characteristics
- Valence bond approach and molecular orbital approach
- VSEPR theory
- Concept of hybridization
- Resonance
- Hydrogen bonding
- van der Waals forces
3. Chemical Thermodynamics
- First law and its applications
- Second law and entropy
- Free energy, criteria for spontaneity
- Third law of thermodynamics
- Gibbs and Helmholtz energy
- Chemical potential
- Applications of thermodynamics to various processes
- Systems of variable composition
4. Phase Equilibrium and Solutions
- Gibbs phase rule
- Phase diagram of one and two component systems
- Fractional distillation
- Liquid-liquid mixtures
- Azeotropes
- Partial molar properties
- Raoult's and Henry's laws
- Colligative properties
- Determination of molecular weight
5. Electrochemistry
- Conductance and conductivity
- Transport number
- Kohlrausch law
- Debye-Hückel theory
- Electrolytic and galvanic cells
- EMF and measurements
- Concentration cells
- Polarization, overpotential
- Decomposition potential
PAPER—II
1. Inorganic Chemistry
- Chemical periodicity
- Structure and bonding in homo and heteronuclear molecules
- Concepts of acids and bases
- Chemistry of the main group elements
- Chemistry of transition elements
- Inner transition elements (f-block)
- Coordination compounds
- Organometallic compounds
- Bioinorganic chemistry
2. Organic Chemistry
- IUPAC nomenclature
- Stereochemistry
- Organic reaction mechanisms
- Reactive intermediates
- Common named reactions
- Rearrangements
- Aromatic substitution
- Addition reactions
- Elimination reactions
- Organic spectroscopy
3. Physical Chemistry
- Chemical kinetics
- Photochemistry
- Surface chemistry and catalysis
- Quantum chemistry
- Nuclear chemistry
- Molecular structure and spectroscopy
- Solid state chemistry
- Polymer chemistry
- Statistical thermodynamics
4. Analytical Chemistry
- Separation techniques
- Spectroscopic techniques
- Electroanalytical methods
- Thermal methods of analysis
- Chromatographic techniques
- X-ray methods
- Electro and thermoanalytical methods
- Radio analytical methods
- Microscopic techniques
5. Industrial Chemistry
- Metallurgy and materials
- Industrial catalysis
- Water treatment
- Industrial organic chemicals
- Polymers and plastics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Agrochemicals
- Fuels and energy
- Environmental chemistry
Recommended Study Resources
Essential Books
- • Physical Chemistry by P.W. Atkins
- • Organic Chemistry by Morrison and Boyd
- • Inorganic Chemistry by J.D. Lee
- • Concise Inorganic Chemistry by J.D. Lee
- • Physical Chemistry by Puri, Sharma, and Pathania
Reference Materials
- • Organic Chemistry by O.P. Tandon
- • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry by Cotton and Wilkinson
- • Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis by Gurdeep Chatwal
- • Quantum Chemistry by Ira N. Levine
- • Chemical Kinetics by K.J. Laidler
Practice Materials
- • Previous Years' UPSC Chemistry Optional Papers
- • NCERT Chemistry Books (XI & XII)
- • Chemistry Today Magazine
- • Solved Problems in Physical Chemistry
- • MCQs in Chemistry
Online Resources
- • NPTEL Chemistry Courses
- • MIT OpenCourseWare Chemistry
- • Royal Society of Chemistry Resources
- • American Chemical Society Resources
- • Chemistry Video Lectures and Demonstrations