IIT JAM 2026 Chemistry high weightage topics including Physical Chemistry (30%), Organic Chemistry (35%), and Inorganic Chemistry (25%) to help aspirants prepare strategically and score better.
As per the IIT JAM syllabus 2026 the topic distribution and the weightage varies such as the Physical Chemistry carries around 40% of the weightage, the Organic Chemistry carries around 35%, and the Inorganic Chemistry carries around 25% in the examination.
To prepare well for the IIT JAM 2026 Chemistry paper, you must be aware of the topic weightage and prepare accordingly for the exam. It is important to have all the basic knowledge of the subject to have a better IIT JAM preparation so that you are able to prepare your schedule accordingly. You can check out the detailed list of the topics and their weightage in the IIT JAM Chemistry paper shared in the section below for your guidance.
IIT JAM Chemistry Topic Weightage 2026 Overview
Chemistry paper is divided into three sections: Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry for IIT JAM 2026. Check the core topics that has been covered over last three years and carry the maximum weighatge.
- Physical Chemistry: 30–35% of paper with 20–24 questions (approx)
- Chemical Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Electrochemistry, Spectroscopy, and quantum/atomic structure appear frequently.
- Numerical and logical reasoning questions are common.
- Organic Chemistry: 30–40% of paper with 18–20 questions (approx)
- Reaction Mechanisms, Named Reactions & Rearrangements, Stereochemistry, Reagents, and Organic Spectroscopy are recurring topics.
- Fundamentals of functional group reactions often yield steady questions.
- Inorganic Chemistry: 25–30% of paper with 18–20 questions (approx)
- Key topics include Coordination Chemistry, Organometallics, Bioinorganic Chemistry, and Chemical Bonding.
Section-Wise IIT JAM Chemistry Topic Weightage
For all the 3 section you can check the high weighatge topic covered in the IIT JAM Chemistry (CY) paper, as mentioned below.
1. Physical Chemistry (The Numerical Powerhouse)
This section is heavy on NAT questions. Success here depends on your ability to apply formulas and handle unit conversions (e.g., Joules to Calories, cm-1 to Joules).
| Topic | Key High-Weightage Focus Areas |
| Thermodynamics | First/Second Law, Gibbs Free Energy, Maxwell Relations, Spontaneity Criteria. |
| Electrochemistry | Nernst Equation, Kohlrausch’s Law, Debye-Hückel-Onsager, Conductometric titrations. |
| Chemical Kinetics | Order of reactions (0, 1st, 2nd), Arrhenius Equation, Enzyme Catalysis (Michaelis-Menten). |
| Atomic & Quantum | Particle in a 1D Box (Degeneracy), Operators, Schrodinger wave equation basics. |
| Equilibria | Phase Rule (One/Two-component systems), Ionic Equilibrium (pH, Buffers, Solubility Product). |
| Solid State | Bragg’s Law, Miller Indices, Crystal Systems (FCC, BCC, NaCl, CsCl). |
2. Organic Chemistry (The Conceptual Core)
Organic questions often test your understanding of "why" a reaction happens. Master the stability of intermediates to predict the major product.
| Topic | Key High-Weightage Focus Areas |
| Stereochemistry | Chirality, Optical Isomerism, R/S nomenclature, and Conformations (Cyclohexane/Decalin). This is often combined with other topics. |
| Reaction Mechanisms | Nucleophilic substitution (SN1, SN2, SNi), Elimination (E1, E2), and Reactive Intermediates (Carbocations, Nitrenes, Benzyne). |
| Named Reaction | Aldol, Cannizzaro, Hoffmann, Reimer-Tiemann, and Wittig reactions. |
| Spectroscopy | Structure elucidation using IR (C=O, O-H stretches) and 1H-NMR (Chemical shifts, Splitting patterns). |
| Pericyclic Reactions | Specifically Diels-Alder (4+2 cycloaddition). |
3. Inorganic Chemistry (The Scoring Section)
This section is usually less time-consuming but requires precise memory and logical application of periodic trends.
| Topic | Key High-Weightage Focus Areas |
| Coordination Chemistry | Crystal Field Theory (CFSE calculation), Isomerism, Term Symbols, and Magnetic Moments. |
| Chemical Bonding | VSEPR Theory (shapes/geometry), Hybridization, and Molecular Orbital Theory (MOT) for diatomic molecules (O2, N2, CO) |
| Organometallics | 18-electron rule, Metal Carbonyls, and the Beta-hydride elimination mechanism. |
| Main Group Elements | Boranes (Wade’s Rules), Silicates, and Oxoacids of Phosphorus/Sulfur. |
| Bioinorganic Chemistry | Roles of Iron (Hemoglobin/Myoglobin), Magnesium (Chlorophyll), and Zinc (Carbonic Anhydrase). |
Related IIT JAM 2026 Chemistry High Weightage Topics Article Topics
IIT JAM 2026 Chemistry Exam Pattern
The IIT JAM exam pattern 2026 for the Chemistry paper is provided below. You must check the table shared.
| Particulars | Details |
| Number of Total Sections | 3: Section A, Section B, and Section C |
| Total Number of Questions | 60 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Type of Questions | MCQ, MSQ, NAT |
IIT JAM Chemistry Preparation Book List
The list of IIT JAM books 2026 you should refer to while preparing for the IIT JAM examination has been mentioned in the table below.
| Section Name | Book Name | Authors Name |
| Physical Chemistry | A Textbook of Physical Chemistry, Thermodynamics, and Chemical Equilibrium | K L Koopar |
| Physical Chemistry | Atkin’s Physical Chemistry | Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula |
| Organic Chemistry | March’s Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure | Michael B. Smith |
| Organic Chemistry | Organic Chemistry: Second Edition | Leroy G Wade and Jan William Simek |
| Inorganic Chemistry | Concise Inorganic Chemistry | J.D. Lee |
| Inorganic Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure and Reactivity | James E. Huheey |
IIT JAM 2026 Chemistry Preparation Tips
Some of the IIT JAM 2026 preparation tips for the Chemistry paper are mentioned in the pointers below for your reference. It will guide you with the correct preparation strategy and will help you learn the basic concepts easily.
- You must be aware of the examination pattern and complete syllabus structure of the paper in detail.
- You must prepare a proper study plan, providing yourself with a break, a mental and physical health period as well. Strategise the time in a way that it will not affect you in any way, and you will get ample time to prepare for the exam.
- After completing the syllabus, you must practice the IIT JAM previous year question papers. Solving previous year papers will help you understand the exam structure in detail and will also help in analysing your preparation level.
- You must appear for mock tests. The IIT JAM mock tests are conducted by the authority officially. Mock tests are prepared exactly in the actual exam format. It will help you learn your strong and weak points so that you can cover all as per the requirement before the exam.
- You must focus on properties and numerical concepts of Organic Chemistry paper as most of the questions from this section are numerical, which is time consuming. Thus, you must learn time management and prepare yourself in a way that you can manage your time in the exam hall.
- You must revise the learnt materials at least twice a week so that you can recall them for a longer time. Without revision, you will not be able to grasp the basic concepts of the topic, which will affect your preparation.
Conclusion
The key to a top rank is not just knowing the material, but knowing where to spend your energy. Use Inorganic Chemistry to save time and build a "marks floor," use Organic Stereochemistry to avoid silly mistakes in MSQs, and use Physical Chemistry to secure your rank through precise NAT answers. If you are short on time, prioritize Coordination Chemistry, Reaction Mechanisms, and Chemical Bonding first and these three alone often account for nearly 30% of the entire paper.
Moreover, an important point required to be noted for you if you are preparing for the IIT JAM Chemistry paper that you are aware of the IIT JAM syllabus topics and their weightage in the exam. Without having knowledge of topic weightage, you will not be able to distribute your time evenly and prepare according to the exam. Thus, check out the weightage details, strategise your plans accordingly, and prepare well.
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Physical Chemistry: 40% weightage, 20-24 questions. -
Organic Chemistry: 35% weightage, 18-20 questions. -
Inorganic Chemistry: 25% weightage, 18-20 questions. -
Total 60 questions, 100 marks, 3 sections, 3 hours.
