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Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
As healthcare is advancing, new drugs are being developed and administered for both new and existing diseases. The role of a pharmacist is to not only understand the science behind how they work but also to give medicines to patients who need them. If you have completed 12th grade and are interested in pursuing an alternate career in medicine, then pharmacy can be a great choice for you.
After the pursuit of a pharmacy course, there are various careers a student can start. You can work in a community pharmacy, aid people by allowing access to the facility for their medicines, and giving them proper instructions and advice for proper application. You can work in a hospital by ensuring that patients get the right medication. Clinical pharmacists work directly with healthcare teams to provide the best treatment for the patient. By pursuing higher degrees, you can also do teaching or clinical research.
This is a guide to information about pharmacy courses that you can pursue in the 12th class. We will let you know about the eligibility criteria, duration, and fee structure of the programs in our interest and which we would apply to seek a career in this field of pharmacy. We will also give details about the major career opportunities, entrance exams, and tips to manage course expenses in this course.
A pharmacy course is an academic course targeted at equipping students with knowledge about medicines: how they are made and how they will interact with the human body. They help students become pharmacists.
Pharmacy subjects encompass a wide range of medicines and health-related issues. The students of the pharmacy sections of the colleges have a clear view of drug chemistry, their preparation methods, and their action in human organisms. They are also conversant with the dos and don’ts of dispensing and advising on medication to patients. The courses often include subjects like pharmacology (the study of drug effects), pharmaceutics (how to make and deliver drugs), and pharmacy practice (how to work in a pharmacy setting).
The subjects that you will study in a pharmacy course include:
Pharmacists are essential members of the healthcare system. They make sure that patients receive the right medicines at the right time and also tell them how to use them safely. They teach them how to manage health conditions and prevent diseases.
Pharmacy courses equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to become competent pharmacists. These pharmacists are crucial for the safe use of medicines and the improvement of public health.
Pharmacy education offers diverse pathways for students after completing 12th grade, opening doors to various roles in the healthcare industry. Let us look into the pharmacy course details like eligibility criteria and admission requirements below.
The minimum pharmacy course eligibility criteria is that you must have completed 12th grade with science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics). The minimum required percentage varies from one college to another.
In India, several types of pharmacy courses are available after completing 12th grade:
This is a 4-year undergraduate program. Eligibility requires completing 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Mathematics. Pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmaceutics are the subjects covered. After completing B.Pharm, you can work as a pharmacist in pharmaceutical companies or pursue higher studies.
Bachelor of Pharmacy Course is a 3-year undergraduate program with similar eligibility requirements to B.Pharm. It focuses on pharmaceutical sciences, preparing students for roles in the pharmaceutical industry, research, and development.
Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharm) is a 2-year diploma course. Eligibility requires passing 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Mathematics. The course covers basic pharmacy education and prepares students to work as pharmacy technicians or assistants. After a D.Pharm, you can also pursue a B.Pharm through lateral entry.
Pharm.D has five years of academic study and one year of internship or residency, making it a six-year course. Eligibility requires completing 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Mathematics or having a D.Pharm qualification. The focus is on clinical pharmacy and patient care.
A general outline of the admissions process for the pharmacist course in India is below for candidates:
| Entrance Exam | Exam Month/Date | Conducting Agency |
|---|---|---|
| NEET 2025 | May ’25 | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| MHT CET 2025 | Apr ’25 | Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell |
| CUET 2025 | May ’25 | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| AP EAMCET 2025 | May ’25 | Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur |
| TS EAMCET 2025 | May ’25 | Telangana State Council of Higher Education |
| KCET 2025 | Apr ’25 | Karnataka Examination Authority |
| KEAM 2025 | May ’25 | Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Kerala |
| GUJCET 2025 | Mar ’25 | Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board |
| WBJEE 2025 | Apr ’25 | West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board |
| Entrance Exam | Exam Month/Date | Conducting Agency |
|---|---|---|
| NEET PG 2025 | Aug ’25 | National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
| CUET PG 2025 | Mar ’25 | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| AP PGECET 2025 | May ’25 | Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education |
| TS PGECET 2025 | Jun ’25 | Telangana State Council of Higher Education |
| INI CET 2025 | 10 Nov ’25 (January session) | Institutes of National Importance (INI) |
Applications to the various Pharmacy courses could be on the Internet or even at the various sites. For the online delivery of Pharmaceutical admissions, visit the admissions office for details. Pharmacy courses offer several specialities as well as comprehensive courses in different pharmacy-related disciplines. Aspiring students will select to focus on specific specialities in particular areas of the Pharmacy courses. Following are the popular colleges that offer pharmacy courses:
| Pharmacy College | Pharmacy Course Fees |
|---|---|
| Jamia Hamdard | 44,000 – 8.8 Lakh |
| Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai | 1.45 Lakh – 3.48 Lakh |
| AIIMS Delhi | 2,110 – 3,330 |
| Panjab University | 64,430 – 76,020 |
| JIPMER Puducherry | 26,580 |
| Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University | 40,000 – 2.4 Lakh |
| National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S. Nagar | 96,960 |
| National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati | 1.9 Lakh |
| Jadavpur University, Kolkata | 9,600 – 96,000 |
| AIIMS Rishikesh | 650 – 2,110 |
Note: The fee ranges are sourced from official websites and may vary.
| Pharmacy College | Pharmacy Course Fees |
|---|---|
| JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty | 1.16 Lakh – 17.07 Lakh |
| Christian Medical College, Vellore | 3,600 |
| JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore | 40,000 – 15 Lakh |
| Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences | 1 Lakh – 15.85 Lakh |
| Kasturba Medical College, Manipal | 1.72 Lakh – 22.44 Lakh |
| Lovely Professional University | 49,000 – 9.6 Lakh |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Poonamallee | 1.2 Lakh – 15 Lakh |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham – Kochi Campus | 7 Lakh |
| Amity University, Noida | 2.76 Lakh – 9.6 Lakh |
| Chandigarh University | 3.6 Lakh – 15.95 Lakh |
Note: The fee ranges are sourced from official websites and may vary.
| Location | Notable Mention |
|---|---|
| Delhi-NCR | Top Pharmacy Colleges in Delhi-NCR |
| Bangalore | Top Pharmacy Colleges in Bangalore |
| Mumbai | Top Pharmacy Colleges in Mumbai |
| Hyderabad | Top Pharmacy Colleges in Hyderabad |
| Chennai | Top Pharmacy Colleges in Chennai |
Note: For specific details on the colleges in each location, please refer to dedicated regional guides or official college websites.
| Job Profile | Job Details | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | Advises doctors, nurses, and medical technicians on drug usage, dosage, and side effects. | INR 2.7 LPA |
| Pharmacologist | Studies and modifies drugs to meet pharmacy regulation standards. | INR 3.5 LPA |
| Food & Cosmetic Products Development Scientist | Researches and develops food products free from common allergens like gluten or lactose. | INR 12 LPA |
| Clinical Trial Research Associate | Verifies the effectiveness and safety of vaccinations, medicines, medical devices, and other clinical monitoring tools. | INR 3.8 LPA |
| Drug Inspector | Inspects medicines at various stages (research, development, distribution, and sales) to ensure compliance with required standards. | INR 2.8 LPA |
| Indian Recruiters | International Recruiters |
|---|---|
| Lupin | Pfizer |
| Cipla | AbbVie |
| Piramal | GlaxoSmithKline |
| Sun Pharmaceuticals | Johnson & Johnson |
| Aurobindo Pharma | |
| Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories | |
| Serum Institute of India Ltd | |
| Biocon |
The duration of various pharmacy courses in India are:
| Course | Duration |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) | 4 years |
| BSc Pharmacy Course | 3 years |
| Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) | 2 years |
| Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy) | 6 years (5 years academic + 1-year internship) |
The courses and syllabus vary from course to course.
Practical training and internships help in providing hands-on experience, and this is needed to be successful in this field. Students gain valuable insights by applying theoretical knowledge in real-life situations.
Average pharmacy Course Fees for Various Pharmacy Programs are as follows:
| Course | Fees |
| B.Pharm | ₹ 120000 |
| BSc Pharmacy | ₹206000 per year |
| D.Pharm | ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 per year |
| Pharm.D | ₹2,18,000 |
Many colleges offer scholarships based on academic performance, entrance exam scores, or financial need. Government scholarships and private scholarships are also available. A few scholarships available are:
| Scholarship | Allowance | Eligibility |
| Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship | ₹3000 monthly for BPharm girls and ₹2500 for BPharm boys. | Boys with 65% marks and girls with 60% marks |
| NSP Scholarships for Students with Disabilities | Up to ₹1100 for eligible candidates | Students with at least 40% disability & monthly family income should not be more than ₹15000. |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students | ₹12,000 for the first three years and Rs. ₹20,000 per annum for the fourth and fifth years. | Students with a family income of less than 4.5 lakhs and have completed XII with more than 80th percentile. |
Pharmacy is an Important Pillar of Healthcare:
As medicine uses pharmacists, they provide safe and proper use of medicines and give crucial health advice while working very closely with other healthcare professionals.
Encouragement:
Take up the challenge of schooling seriously and with diligence because pharmacy careers will provide enough opportunity to make a difference in the life of healthcare.
A pharmacy course paves the way for numerous career opportunities in healthcare, research, and the pharmaceutical industry. With a growing demand for skilled professionals, this field ensures career stability, financial growth, and continuous learning. Pharmacists play a crucial role in modern medicine, ensuring the safe and effective use of drugs. Graduates can work in hospitals, drug manufacturing, regulatory affairs, clinical research, or even start their own pharmacy business. As healthcare evolves, pharmacy remains a vital sector, offering diverse roles, innovation, and long-term career prospects, making it an excellent choice for aspiring medical professionals.
Ans. To be eligible for pharmacy courses, you must have completed 12th grade with science subjects, typically Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Mathematics. The minimum required percentage varies by college but usually ranges between 50% to 60%. Additionally, you may need to pass entrance exams such as the GPAT, NEET, or state-level pharmacy entrance tests. Each college may have specific eligibility criteria. Check the requirements of the institutions you are interested in.
Ans. The Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) course typically lasts 4 years. During this time, students complete both theoretical and practical studies. The curriculum includes subjects like pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and pharmacy practice. There are also lab sessions and internships to provide hands-on experience. Some universities offer integrated courses or allow lateral entry for students who have completed a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm), which can shorten the duration.
Ans. Based on the type of program and the institution, the cost of the pharmacy course varies. On average, the fees for a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) range from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 per year. A BSc in Pharmacy costs between ₹30,000 and ₹1,50,000 per year. Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) fees range from ₹20,000 to ₹1,00,000 per year. D.Pharm courses are more expensive, costing between ₹1,00,000 and ₹3,00,000 per year.
Ans. There are several types of pharmacy courses available after 12th grade:
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharma): A 4-year undergraduate program.
BSc Pharmacy: A 3-year undergraduate program focused on pharmaceutical sciences.
Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm): A 2-year diploma course providing basic pharmacy education.
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D): A 6-year course including 5 years of academic study and 1 year of internship, focusing on clinical pharmacy and patient care.
Ans. After completing a pharmacy course, you have multiple career options to choose from. You can work in community pharmacies or hospitals and give people the right medicines. You can work in firms and help in research and quality control. Clinical pharmacists work in hospitals or clinics and improve the care of patients. You can also pursue roles in public health and consultancy.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
