HEALTH
Pharmacist
Medicines — making, testing, dispensing and explaining them safely.
Facts checked 17/10/2026
- Class 11–12 subjects
- Class 12 with Physics and Chemistry, plus Biology or Maths.
- First degree
- D.Pharm (2 years) or B.Pharm (4 years). Pharm.D is 6 years.
- Entrance exams
- Admission is through state entrance tests or college rules; varies by state.
- Licence or registration
- Registration with your State Pharmacy Council (Pharmacy Act 1948).
What the work is like
Hospital and retail pharmacy, drug manufacturing and quality control, clinical research, regulatory work.
Professional qualificationRun by Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and State Pharmacy Councils. You can start after: Class 12 with PCB or PCM. Minimum time: 2 years (D.Pharm) or 4 years (B.Pharm) after Class 12.
The full route: exams, training, registration
- Step 1 · Class 12PCB or PCM; apply through your state's admission process.
- Step 2D.Pharm (2 years, with 500 hours of practical training) or B.Pharm (4 years) at a PCI-approved college.
- Step 3Register with the State Pharmacy Council (age 18+, approved qualification, living or working in that state).
- OptionalM.Pharm (GPAT is the usual entrance) or an MBA for pharma business roles.
Already have a degree?
- D.Pharm holders can usually join B.Pharm in the second year (lateral entry, reported).
- An exit exam for D.Pharm (DPEE) applies on paper from the 2022–23 batch, but in February 2026 PCI let states register that batch without waiting for it (reported). No exam date has been announced. B.Pharm has no exit exam.
Good to know
- Always check the college is approved by PCI for the year you join — unapproved seats can block registration.
About pay: it varies a lot by city, employer and skill, and changes year to year, so we don't print salary numbers. Ask us in a session and we'll show you current, sourced figures for your case.
Sources: PCI FAQs · NBEMS, DPEE · News report: PCI on DPEE (Feb 2026)
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