Chemistry Optional Syllabus for UPSC
The UPSC Chemistry optional is examined in two Mains papers of 250 marks each, 500 marks in total. Paper I has 7 topics and Paper II has 7 topics, listed below with their subtopics.
Chemistry Paper I syllabus
1. Atomic Structure
- Quantum mechanics, wave functions
- Periodic properties
- Chemical bonding theories
2. Chemical Bonding
- VB theory, MO theory
- Hybridization, resonance
- Intermolecular forces
3. Solid State
- Crystal systems, lattice types
- Band theory, semiconductors
- Defects in solids
4. Thermodynamics
- Laws of thermodynamics
- Free energy, equilibria
- Phase diagrams
5. Chemical Kinetics
- Rate laws, mechanisms
- Catalysis, surface chemistry
- Photochemistry
6. Electrochemistry
- Electrode potentials, cells
- Electrolysis, corrosion
- Fuel cells, batteries
7. Coordination Chemistry
- Werner theory, nomenclature
- Isomerism, bonding theories
- Organometallic compounds
Chemistry Paper II syllabus
1. Organic Reaction Mechanisms
- Nucleophilic & electrophilic reactions
- Elimination, addition reactions
- Pericyclic reactions
2. Stereochemistry
- Chirality, optical activity
- Conformational analysis
- Asymmetric synthesis
3. Organic Synthesis
- Retrosynthetic analysis
- Protecting groups
- Named reactions
4. Spectroscopy
- UV-Vis, IR spectroscopy
- NMR spectroscopy
- Mass spectrometry
5. Natural Products
- Alkaloids, terpenoids
- Steroids, carbohydrates
- Amino acids, proteins
6. Heterocyclic Chemistry
- Five & six-membered rings
- Synthesis & reactions
- Pharmaceutically important heterocycles
7. Polymer Chemistry
- Polymerization mechanisms
- Polymer properties
- Conducting polymers
Other Sciences optionals
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