Health Ministry Notifies New CDSCO Drugs Inspector Recruitment Rules, 419 Posts Sanctioned for 2025
Delhi Pharmacy Council
New Delhi: In a major move to strengthen the country's drug regulatory framework, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified new recruitment rules for the post of Drugs Inspector in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), citing a total of 419 posts have been sanctioned for 2025, subject to variation depending on workload.
Issuing a major overhaul of its regulatory staffing framework, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified the "Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Drugs Inspector (Group ‘B’ Post) Recruitment Rules, 2025," through G.S.R. 832(E) dated November 11, 2025. The new rules supersede the earlier 2010 recruitment norms governing the post of Drugs Inspector in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The recent notification specifies that the post will be classified as “General Central Service, Group ‘B’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial” with a pay level of Level-8 in the pay matrix (Rs 47,600–Rs 151,100).
As per the rules, a total of 419 posts have been sanctioned for 2025, subject to variation depending on workload. The recruitment will be conducted through direct recruitment by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), with the age limit set at 30 years, relaxable by up to five years for government servants.
Furthermore, it notifies that candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences or Medicine with specialization in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology from a recognized university.The notification further states that “the qualifications are relaxable at the discretion of the Union Public Service Commission… in the case of candidates otherwise well qualified.”
New appointees will undergo a two-year probation, which includes a “mandatory induction training of at least two weeks’ duration for successful completion of the probation.” The rules also affirm that consultation with the UPSC is necessary for all recruitments, ensuring transparency and merit-based selection.
In the recent gazette notice:
In exercise of the powers conferred by the provision to article 309 of the Constitution and in supersession of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (Drugs Inspectors) Recruitment Rules, 2010, in the Directorate General of Health Services, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the President made the following rules regulating the method of recruitment to the post of Drugs Inspector in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, namely:
1. Short title and commencement. – (1) These rules may be called the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Drugs Inspector (Group ‘B’ Post) Recruitment Rules, 2025.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Number of post, classification and level in pay matrix.- The number of the said post, its classification and level in the pay matrix attached thereto shall be as specified in columns (2) to (4) of the Schedule annexed to these rules.
3. Method of recruitment, age-limit, qualifications, etc.– The method of recruitment, age-limit, qualifications and other matters relating to the said post shall be as specified in columns (5) to (13) of the said Schedule.
4. Disqualification. – No person, -
(a) who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having a spouse living; or
(b) who, having a spouse living, has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person,
shall be eligible for appointment to the said post:
Provided that the Central Government may, if satisfied that such marriage is permissible under the personal law applicable to such person and the other party to the marriage and that there are other grounds for so doing, exempt any person from the operation of this rule.
5. Power to relax. – Where the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing and in consultation with the Union Public Service Commission, relax any of the provisions of these rules with respect to any class or category of persons.
6. Saving.– Nothing in these rules shall affect reservation, relaxation of age limit, and other concessions required to be provided for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, ex-servicemen, and other special categories of persons in accordance with the orders issued by the Central Government from time to time in this regard.
SCHEDULE
Name of post | Number of post | Classification | Level in pay matrix |
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4) |
Drugs Inspector | 419* (2025) Subject to variation dependent on workload. | General Central Service, Group ‘B’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial. | Level-8 in the pay matrix (Rs. 47,600–1,51,100) |
Whether selection post or non-selection post | Age-limit for direct recruits |
(5) | (6) |
Not applicable. | Not exceeding thirty years of age. (Relaxable for Government servants up to five years in accordance with the instructions or orders issued by the Central Government). Note: The crucial date for determining the age-limit shall be as advertised by the Union Public Service Commission. |
Educational and other qualifications required for direct recruits | Whether age and educational qualifications prescribed for direct recruits will apply in the case of promotees |
(7) | (8) |
Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences or Medicine with specialisation in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology from a recognised University or Institute. Note 1: The qualifications are relaxable at the discretion of the Union Public Service Commission, for reasons to be recorded in writing, in the case of candidates otherwise well qualified. Note 2: The qualifications regarding experience are relaxable at the discretion of the Union Public Service Commission, for reasons to be recorded in writing, in the case of candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes, if at any stage of selection, the Union Public Service Commission is of the opinion that sufficient number of candidates from these communities possessing the requisite experience are not likely to be available to fill up the vacancy reserved for them. | Not applicable. |
Period of probation, if any | Method of recruitment whether by direct recruitment or by promotion or by deputation/absorption and percentage of the vacancies to be filled by various methods | In case of recruitment by promotion or by deputation/absorption, grades from which promotion or deputation/absorption to be made |
(9) | (10) | (11) |
Two years. Note: There shall be a mandatory induction training of at least two weeks’ duration for successful completion of the probation as prescribed by the Central Government. | By direct recruitment. Note 1: Vacancies caused by the incumbent being away on deputation or long illness or study leave or under other circumstances for a duration of one year or more may be filled on deputation basis from officers of the Central Government,— (a) (i) holding analogous posts on a regular basis; or (ii) with six years service rendered after appointment to the posts on a regular basis in level-6 in the pay matrix (Rs. 35,400–1,12,400) or equivalent in the parent cadre or department; and (b) possessing the qualifications and experience prescribed for direct recruits under column (7). | Not applicable. |
If a Departmental Promotion Committee exists, what is its composition |
(12) |
Departmental Confirmation Committee (for considering confirmation) consisting of:- 1. Additional Secretary or Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - Chairperson; 2. Drugs Controller (India) or Joint Drugs Controller (India), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation - Member 3. Director (Administration and Vigilance), Directorate General of Health Services - Member |
Circumstances in which Union Public Service Commission is to be consulted in making recruitment |
(13) |
Consultation with the Union Public Service Commission is necessary. |
To view the official notice, click the link below:
