Have you ever walked into a medicine store and wondered what it takes to get behind that counter? Or looked at your capsules and asked yourself who thought of putting the beads inside the capsule? Pharmacy is a fascinating subject. It’s no wonder hundreds of thousands of students vie for a seat in a pharmacy course in institutes all over the country.
The Pharmacy degree in India is one of the most sought-after degrees. But getting into a pharmacy school starts with choosing the right path.
It is not just selecting your college but also understanding where each course can take you. And before you get in, you need to crack the right entrance exam. It can also be a bit confusing when you're just starting.
So, let’s clear this confusion. This guide will walk you through the top pharmacist entrance exams in India.
Are you ready to find the perfect dose of direction? Let’s start.
Why Pharmacy? A Quick Snapshot
Before we dive into exams, let’s see why people choose pharmacy as a career. A degree in pharmacy allows you to integrate healthcare, science, and industry in your work.
There are multiple roles you can choose from:
- Hospital pharmacist
- Industry (R&D, production)
- Regulatory affairs
- Clinical pharmacy
- Teaching
- Start Ups
- Consulting
- Management
It offers both stability and options to grow. You can switch between multiple setups as you desire.
If you continue with higher education, like M. Pharm or even PhD, it opens doors to cutting-edge research or higher leadership roles.
Pharmacy isn’t just dispensing pills. It’s far broader once you climb higher.
Pharmacy Courses in India: The Ladder
There are multiple pharmacy degree programs in India that you can pursue. The degree you choose depends on your educational qualifications and your career aims.
Here is an overview of the different pharmacy programs and their details.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility (Basic) | What You Can Do |
| D.Pharm (Diploma in Pharmacy) | 2 years | 10 + 2 Physics Chemistry Biology or Mathematics | Work as a registered pharmacist in hospitals Chemists Lateral entry into B.Pharm |
| B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) | 4 years | 10 + 2 Physics Chemistry Biology or Mathematics | Work as a registered pharmacist in hospitals Roles in industry Research and development Pursue M.Pharm |
| Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy) | 6 years (5 years + 1-year internship) | 10 + 2 Physics Chemistry Biology or Mathematics | Focus on Clinical pharmacy Patient care Hospital setting Research and development |
| M.Pharm (Master of Pharmacy) | 2 years | B.Pharm Minimum required marks GPAT Qualification | Research and development Roles in the pharma industry Teaching Regulatory affairs |
| PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences | 3–5 years (varies) | M.Pharm (or equivalent) | Advanced research Academia Leadership in the pharma industry |
Specific institutions may set higher thresholds than the bare minimums above. Especially for competitive branches or top institutes.
Top Entrance Exams for Pharmacy Degree in India
India offers multiple pharmacy programs. It also has hundreds of pharmacy colleges, both government and private. Some have their own exams, and some take admission based on government exams. Then there are even more exams for students who want to go for masters.
Seems a bit confusing, doesn’t it? Let me make it clear to you.
First, let us start with the entrance exam for the B.Pharm degree.
Entrance Exam for B.Pharm
| Exam | Level | Conducting Body |
| CUET (UG) | National Level | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| WBJEE | State Level - West Bengal | WBJEE Board |
| Odisha Joint Entrance Examination – Pharmacy (OJEE-P) | State Level - Odisha | Odisha State Government |
| Maharashtra Common Entrance Test – Pharmacy (MHT CET) | State Level - Maharashtra | Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra |
| Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS-P) | State Level - Rajasthan | Rajasthan University of Health Sciences, Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test) | State Level - Karnatak | Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) |
| GUJCET (Gujarat Common Entrance Test) | State Level - Gujarat | Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB) |
| Goa Common Entrance Test (Goa CET) | State Level - Goa | Department of Technical Education, Goa Government |
| BITSAT | University Level | BITS Pilani |
| GITAM GAT (GITAM Graduate Aptitude Test) | University Level | Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Vishakhapatnam |
| MET (MAHE Entrance Test) | University Level | Manipal Academy of Higher Education |
Entrance Exam for M.Pharm
Once you’ve completed B.Pharm, these are the exams that matter:
| Exam | Purpose | Organizing Body |
| GPAT | Entry to M.Pharm programmes | NBEMS / NTA (on behalf of PCI) |
| NIPER JEE | Admission to NIPERs (M.Pharm, PhD, etc.) | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research |
| BITSAT | Entry to M.Pharm programmes in BITS | Birla Institute of Technical Sciences, Pilani |
These are the two most important exams for admission into M.Pharm. Other than this, you also get the state exams mentioned in the previous table for M.Pharm admission too.
Eligibility: What You Must Have to Apply
Now that you know all about the entrance exams, let us understand the eligibility requirements. It will help you plan well in advance:
Undergraduate level
- Must have passed 10 + 2 from recognized board
- Essential subjects:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology or Mathematics
- Minimum aggregate percentage: Around 50%
- Age requirement: At least 17 years
- Usually no upper age limit.
M.Pharm
- B.Pharm degree from a PCI / AICTE-approved college
- Minimum marks in B.Pharm- 50%
- Valid score in GPAT
Study Tips and Strategy - Just for You
- Start early with your preparation and search.
- Know which exam your desired colleges accept. Find out the exam pattern and syllabus.
- Build strong basics in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology for the undergraduate entrance exam.
- For PG-level exams, focus on core pharmacy subjects
- Mock tests and past papers will help you gain speed and reduce exam anxiety.
- Stay updated with regulatory changes, syllabus shifts or deadlines.
- Balance theory with practical understanding. Many questions test applied knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Walking in the world of pharmacy can feel like a maze initially. So many exams, so many courses. But each exam you crack is a stepping stone:
- At the undergraduate level, your goal is to secure a solid seat
- At the postgraduate level, you lean into specialization and build on what you love most.
The scope is wide. Whether you choose the lab, hospital wards, industry floors, or academia, the pharmacy has something for everyone.