Pharmacy Courses in India – Eligibility, Specializations & Career

Explore **Pharmacy courses in India**, including **BPharm, DPharm, MPharm programs**, eligibility criteria, specializations, and career opportunities.

Pharmacy Courses in India

💊 **Overview of Pharmacy Courses in India**

Pharmacy courses in India prepare students for **careers in the pharmaceutical industry** and healthcare sector. Programs like **BPharm, DPharm, and MPharm** focus on **drug research, development, and dispensing practices**.

✅ **Key Pharmacy Courses:**

  • 🎓 **BPharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy)** – 4-year undergraduate program.
  • 📚 **DPharm (Diploma in Pharmacy)** – 2-year diploma course.
  • 🔬 **MPharm (Master of Pharmacy)** – 2-year postgraduate course with specializations.

📝 **Eligibility Criteria for Pharmacy Courses in India**

  • ✅ **BPharm:** 10+2 with **Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics** (minimum 50% marks).
  • ✅ **DPharm:** 10+2 with **Science subjects** (PCB/PCM).
  • ✅ **MPharm:** BPharm degree with a minimum of **50% marks**.
  • ✅ **Entrance exams:** GPAT, NIPER JEE, or university-specific exams.

🏫 **Top Pharmacy Colleges in India**

  • 🔹 **Jamia Hamdard University** – New Delhi.
  • 🔹 **NIPER (National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research)** – Mohali.
  • 🔹 **Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences** – Karnataka.
  • 🔹 **JSS College of Pharmacy** – Mysuru.
  • 🔹 **Poona College of Pharmacy** – Pune.

🔬 **Specializations in Pharmacy**

  • 💉 **Clinical Pharmacy:** Patient care and medication management.
  • 🧪 **Pharmaceutical Chemistry:** Drug formulation and synthesis.
  • 🔍 **Pharmacology:** Drug testing and safety studies.
  • ⚙️ **Pharmaceutics:** Drug manufacturing and development.
  • 🔬 **Quality Assurance:** Quality control in pharmaceutical production.

💼 **Career Opportunities After Pharmacy Courses**

After completing a **pharmacy course**, graduates can work in various roles, including:

  • ✔️ **Pharmacist**
  • ✔️ **Clinical Research Associate**
  • ✔️ **Drug Inspector**
  • ✔️ **Medical Representative**
  • ✔️ **Quality Control Analyst**
  • ✔️ **Pharmaceutical Scientist**

Some pharmacy courses in India include:
Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm)
A two-year course that prepares students to work as pharmacy technicians or assistants. Eligibility criteria include 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)
A four-year course that provides a strong foundation in pharmaceutical sciences. Eligibility criteria include 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics with a minimum 50% aggregate.
Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm)
A two-year course that offers specializations in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, pharmacognosy, and pharmaceutical analysis. Eligibility criteria include a B.Pharm degree with a minimum 50% aggregate.
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D)
A six-year course that includes five years of academic study and one year of internship. Eligibility criteria include 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics, or a D.Pharm. Pharmacy education has expanded to include specialized courses and online and distance learning programs.
Some top pharmacy colleges in India include:
BITS, Pilani
JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty
JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore
Institute of Chemical Technology
Dayanand Medical College and Hyderabad
JIPMER Puducherry
C.K. Pithawalla Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Research AIIMS Rishikesh

Pharmacy courses cover the study of drugs, their composition, effects, and usage in treating medical conditions. In Pharmacy courses, students learn through theoretical classes, lab work, and internships, gaining skills to work as pharmacists, researchers, or in pharmaceutical management. Pharmacy courses are essential in ensuring safe and effective healthcare delivery through medication. Pharmacy courses range from diploma (D Pharma) to undergraduate (B Pharma), postgraduate (M Pharma), and doctoral levels (PharmD or PhD).

To be eligible for Pharmacy courses, candidates must pass Class 12 in the Science stream with PCMB/M (Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Mathematics) subjects. Admission to Pharmacy courses is different for UG and PG course levels (candidates can check below). Similarly, the entrance exams for pharmacy courses differ according to the course levels. Popular colleges that offer Pharmacy courses are Jamia Hamdard, JSS College of Pharmacy, NIPER, AIIMS Delhi, etc. The average Pharmacy course fee ranges between INR 15,000 and INR 50,000.

On graduating with Pharmacy courses, candidates can opt for job profiles such as Clinical Research Associates, Pharmacists, Drug Safety Associates, Drug Inspectors, Scientific Writers, Pathological Lab Scientists, etc. The average salary that a Pharmacy course graduates earn ranges between INR 3.5 LPA and INR 4 LPA.

Further, candidates can continue reading to learn more about the key highlights of the Pharmacy course details.

Pharmacy Course Details

One of the most popular career-focused degrees available to Science students is the Pharmacy courses after the 12th. Programmes in a variety of subjects are included in the Pharmacy courses such as Drugs and Medications, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Engineering, etc.

Candidates can take a look at the key points related to the Pharmacy course details given below:

Particulars Pharmacy Course Details
Pharmacy Course Level UG, PG & Diploma
Pharmacy Course Duration 2-3 years
Pharmacy Course Eligibility Criteria

UG - 50% marks in Class 12 in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology

PG - Any relevant UG degree

Pharmacy Course Fee INR 15,000 - INR 50,000
Pharmacy Course Admission Criteria

UG - Merit-Based/Entrance-Based

PG - Entrance-Based

Pharmacy Course Entrance Exam

UG - NEET, JEECUP, MHT CET, CUET, AP EAMCET, TS EAMCET, KCET, etc.

PG - NEET PG, AP PGECET, TS PGECET, CUET PG, etc.

Popular Colleges for Pharmacy Courses Jamia Hamdard, JSS College of Pharmacy, NIPER, AIIMS Delhi, etc.
Pharmacy Salary INR 3.5 LPA - INR 4 LPA
Pharmacy Jobs Clinical Research Associates, Pharmacists, Drug Safety Associates, Drug Inspectors, Scientific Writers, Pathological Lab Scientists, etc.
Pharmacy Top Recruiters Mankind Pharma, Glenmark Generics, Jubilant Lifesciences Ltd, etc.

Why Study Pharmacy Courses?

According to the IBEF, India is the largest provider of pharmaceuticals in the country. The Indian pharmaceutical business meets more than half of the global demand for vaccines, 40% of generic demand in the US, and 25% of overall pharmaceuticals in the UK.

Further, candidates can check the reasons why they should pursue Pharmacy courses after 12th.

Candidates must note that specific eligibility criteria for Pharmacy courses may vary depending on course level, course type, etc.

Pharmacy courses are offered at different levels and to get admission in any of the Pharmacist courses, candidates need to fulfil the required eligibility criteria for the particular course.

Check below the eligibility criteria for Pharmacy courses:

Pharmacy Course Level Pharmacy Course Eligibility Criteria
Diploma in Pharmacy (D Pharm) Candidates should have completed Class 12 with Science subjects.
Bachelor in Pharmacy (B Pharm)
  • Candidates must have completed their higher education from the national- or state-level education board.
  • They must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology and English subjects.
  • They must complete 17 years of age on December 31 of the year of admission.
Master of Pharmacy (M Pharm) Candidates who have completed a B Pharmacy degree with minimum qualifying marks as required from a Pharmacy college as approved by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI).
For Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
  • For a six-year course, candidates must have completed higher education from any state/national education board.
  • They must have studied Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects with Mathematics or Biology as additional subjects.
  • Or, candidates holding a diploma in pharmacy are also eligible for a PharmD course provided they fulfil all other conditions as well.

How to apply for Pharmacy Course

Here is a list of entrance exams for the Pharmacist courses.

Entrance Exams Exam Dates Exam Schedule
For UG Pharmacy Courses
NEET May '25 NEET Schedule
MHT CET Apr '25 MHT CET Schedule
CUET May '25 CUET Schedule
AP EAMCET May '25 AP EAMCET Schedule
TS EAMCET May '25 KCET Apr '25 KCET Schedule
KEAM May '25 KEAM Schedule
GUJCET

Mar '25

GUJCET Schedule
WBJEE Apr '25 WBJEE Schedule
Pharmacy PG Courses
NEET PG Aug '25 NEET PG Schedule
CUET PG Mar '25 CUET PG Schedule

AP PGECET

May '25

AP PGECET Schedule

TS PGECET

Jun '25

TS PGECET Schedule

INI CET

10 Nov '25 (January session)

INI CET Schedule

A student pursuing Pharmacist courses at UG/PG/Diploma/PhD level will be studying the Pharmacy syllabus including specialised pharma subjects, assignments, projects, industrial training, internship, etc. Moreover, the curriculum of the Pharmacist courses also includes communication skills development, environmental science studies, ethical practices and regulations of the Pharmacy Council of India.

Here we have provided a semester-wise syllabus for the Pharmacist courses:

Pharmacy Courses - Semester 1
Human Anatomy and Physiology I Pharmaceutical Analysis I
Pharmaceutics I Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry
Pharmacy Courses - Semester 2
Human Anatomy and Physiology II Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry I
Biochemistry Pathophysiology
Pharmacy Courses - Semester 3
Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry II Physical Pharmaceutics
Pharmaceutical Microbiology Pharmaceutical Engineering
Pharmacy Courses - Semester 4
Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry III Medicinal Chemistry I
Physical Pharmaceutics II Pharmacology I

Additionally, licensing requirements for practising as a pharmacist may differ depending on the region. Aspiring students should carefully review the details of each Pharmacy courses and ensure that they meet the requirements for their chosen career path.

Candidates can refer to the table given below to learn all about the Pharmacy courses being offered by universities.

Types of Pharmacy Courses Offered

After completing Class 12, candidates interested in the field of Pharmacy have several course options to pursue. Pharmacy courses can provide a solid foundation for a career in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, research, or academia.

Here are some popular Pharmacy courses available after Class 12:

Pharmacy Courses Duration
After 10th Diploma 2-3 years
UG Diploma 1-2 years
PG Diploma a few months to a year
D Pharm 2 years
B Pharmacy 4 years
BVoc 3 years
M Pharmacy 2 years
Pharm D 6 years
PhD

3 years and a maximum of up to 6 years

MD

2-3 years

MBA/PGDM

2 years

MVSc

2 years

DM

3 years

The top undergraduate Pharmacy courses, as well as their course duration, are listed below in the table.

Pharmacy Courses After 12th Pharmacy Course Duration
B Pharma (Bachelor of Pharmacy) 4 Years
B Pharm (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) 4 Years
Bachelor of Pharmacy in Pharmacognosy 4 Years
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Pharmacy 4 Years
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) 4 Years
B Pharm (Pharmaceutics) 4 Years
B Pharm + MBA 5 Years

The top postgraduate Pharmacy courses, as well as their course duration, are listed below in the table.

Popular PG Pharmacy Courses Pharmacy Course Duration
M Pharmacy (Master of Pharmacy) 2 Years
MSc (Clinical Research and Pharmacovigilance) 2 Years
M Pharm (Clinical Pharmacy) 2 Years
M Pharm (Industrial Pharmacy) 2 Years
MSc (Pharmacology) 2 Years
M Pharm (Pharmaceutics) 2 Years
M Pharm (Biopharmaceutics) 2 Years
M Pharm (Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics) 2 Years
M Pharm (Biotechnology) 2 Years
M Pharm (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) 2 Years
M Pharm (Medicinal Chemistry) 2 Years
M Pharm (Drug Discovery and Drug Development) 2 Years
M Pharm (Cosmeceuticals) 2 Years
M Pharm (Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance) 2 Years
M Pharm (Pharmaceutical Market and Management)

2 Years

Pharmacy Specialisations

Pharmacy courses are diverse fields with several specializations, each focusing on different aspects of pharmaceutical sciences. Each specialization offers unique career opportunities in both research and applied pharmacy fields, depending on the candidate's interests and career goals.

Here are some common specializations offered in Pharmacy courses:

Specialisations in Pharmacy Courses
Pharmaceutical Pharmacology
Quality Assurance Pharmacognosy
Pharmacy Practice Chemistry
Post Baccalaureate Ayurved
Homeopathy Biopharmaceuticals
Biotechnology Veterinary Science
Clinical Data Management Toxicology
Clinical Research Microbiology

Below are some of the top government and private colleges in India that offer Pharmacy courses.

Popular Government Colleges for Pharmacy Courses

Many government colleges in India offer Pharmacy courses. Academic achievement and entrance exam cutoffs are used to determine admission to prestigious universities for Pharmacy courses.

The top government colleges in India that offer Pharmacy courses are listed below, along with their tuition fees.

Pharmacy Colleges Pharmacy Course Fees
AIIMS Delhi INR 2,110 - 3,330
Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu INR 32,760 - 24.3 Lakh
Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai INR 1.26 Lakh - 3.48 Lakh
Jadavpur University, Kolkata INR 9,600 - 20,840
Jamia Hamdard INR 30,000 - 7.6 Lakh
JIPMER Puducherry INR 26,580
National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati INR 1.9 Lakh
National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research S.A.S. Nagar INR 1.54 Lakh
Panjab University INR 64,430 - 76,020
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodra INR 8,400 - 1.2 Lakh

Note: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

Popular Private Colleges for Pharmacy Courses

The Pharmacy courses provide a variety of specialisations and in-depth courses in pharmacy-related areas. The training encourages innovation and research, which leads to cutting-edge medical treatments and pharmaceuticals that can benefit millions of patients across India. Prospective students may opt to focus on specific specialities in pharmaceutical disciplines.

Candidates can look at the top private colleges in India that offer Pharmacy courses in the table below.

Pharmacy Colleges Pharmacy Course Fees
Amity University, Noida INR 2.4 Lakh - 8 Lakh
BITS Pilani INR 9.26 Lakh - 19.94 Lakh
Chandigarh University INR 9.64 Lakh
Chitkara University INR 6.56 Lakh
Christian Medical College, Vellore INR 1,200
JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore INR 1.51 Lakh - 15 Lakh
JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty INR 1.11 Lakh - 17.07 Lakh
Kasturba Medical College INR 2.38 Lakh - 22.44 Lakh
Lovely Professional University INR 49,000 - 9.6 Lakh
Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences INR 1.27 Lakh - 23.2 Lakh

With a robust job market and the growing healthcare sector, the prospects for Pharmacy course professionals in India are promising, driven by advancements in biotechnology, personalized medicine, and increased healthcare access.

Pharmacy Top Recruiters

The pharmaceutical industry is vast and diverse, offering a range of career opportunities for pharmacy graduates. The pharmaceutical industry is continually evolving, offering a wide array of opportunities for Pharmacy course professionals in different sectors. Job seekers should explore positions that align with their interests, skills, and career goals within this dynamic field.

The top recruiters that employ the Pharmacy graduates are given in the table below.

Indian Recruiters

International Recruiters

  • Lupin
  • Cipla
  • Piramal
  • Sun Pharmaceuticals
  • Aurobindo Pharma
  • Dr, Reddy’s Laboratories
  • Serum Institute of India Ltd
  • Biocon
  • Pfizer
  • AbbVie
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Amgen
  • Merck

Pharmacy Salary in India

In India, Pharmacy course professionals can pursue various job profiles across different sectors. Depending on individual interests and qualifications, pharmacy professionals can choose to work in various sectors, including industry, healthcare, research, and regulatory affairs. Aspiring pharmacists need to explore their options and choose a career path that aligns with their goals and interests.

Candidates can look at the Pharmacy job profiles they can opt for after pursuing the Pharmacy courses:

Job Profiles Job Details Average Salary
Pharmacist Their responsibilities include advising medical practitioners in the healthcare industry i.e. doctors, nurses, and medical technicians about drugs and their uses, dosage as well as side effects. INR 2.6 LPA
Pharmacologist A Pharmacist study observes and alters the drugs developed as per the standards of Pharmacy Regulations. INR 4.5 LPA
Food and cosmetic products development scientist Some people are allergic to a certain food such as gluten allergy, lactose intolerance, etc. and on the consumption of such foods, they develop serious allergies, therefore, pharmacy scientist researches to develop food free from these allergic elements. INR 4.8 LPA
Clinical Trial Research Associate The CTR Associate is responsible for verifying the vaccinations, medicines, medical devices, and other clinical monitoring tools. INR 3.4 LPA
Drug Inspector The duties of a drug inspector include inspecting medicines at various phases of research and development, distribution, and selling to ensure that the requirements have been met. INR 2.8 LPA

Note: The average salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.

mbbs-md-ms-admission-in-india
MD vs MBBS

MD vs MBBS: Highlights

MD full form is Doctor of Medicine and MBBS full form is (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery). In India, both MD and MBBS are medical degrees, but they represent different stages of medical education and training.

MBBS is a 5.5-years undergraduate degree course that candidates can pursue after completing Class 12 (Science stream) and typically includes a one-year internship. On the other hand, MD is a 3-year postgraduate degree course that can be pursued after MBBS degree.

MBBS is the foundational medical degree in India, after which, candidates are eligible to practice as general physicians. MD, however, is a specialised PG course that allows doctors to gain expertise in a particular medical field. Many doctors pursue MD to become specialists in a specific area of medicine and offer advanced healthcare services to patients.

Candidates who wish to know the difference between MD and MBBS can look at the table below to know the key highlights of both the courses such as course level, duration, average fees, entrance exams, admission process, job profiles, average salary, etc.

Parameters

MBBS

MD

Course Level

UG

PG

Course Duration

5.5 years

3 years

Course Fee

Government Colleges - INR 6,100 to INR 1.1 Crore

Private Colleges - INR 14,000 to INR 1 crore

Government Colleges - INR 2,000 to INR 2 Lakh

Private Colleges - INR 1,000 to 81 Lakh

Admission Process

Entrance-based

Entrance-based

Entrance Exam

NEET 

NEET PG, INI CET

Popular Colleges

AIIMS Delhi, Christian Medical College Vellore, Banaras Hindu University, JIPMER Puducherry, etc.

AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Delhi, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, JIPMER Puducherry

Job Profiles

Medical Surgeon, Medical officers, Paediatrician, General Physician, Medical Assistant (Surgery), etc.

Dermatologist, Nutritionist, Pediatrician, Pathologist, etc.

Average Salary

INR 6 LPA

INR 8.6 LPA

Top Recruiters

Medicine, General Surgery, Cardiology, Paediatrics, Oncology, Nephrology, etc.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Medanta- The Medicity, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, etc.

Process of Admission for MBBS MD MS in India

The student must qualify in NEET for admission in MBBS , MD , MS. After qualifying for the NEET exam, students must appear for counseling.

There are some other exams as AIIMS, JIPMER for medical college admission. Students can also appear for the entrance examination for seven AIIMS.

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