NPPA Recruitment 2026: Seven Vacancies, Monthly Pay Up to Rs 65000

New Delhi: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has invited applications for seven Consultant and Young Professional positions on a purely contractual basis, with fixed monthly remuneration ranging from Rs 50000 to Rs 65000.

The engagement will initially be for one year. Depending on satisfactory performance and the requirements of NPPA, the term may be extended for a further two years.

Through the same recruitment exercise, the authority will also prepare reserve panels or waiting lists for Consultant (Data Analysis) and Consultant (Legal) positions to meet future vacancies, if any.

The notice, bearing F. No. 11011/4/2023-Estt.(NPPA) and dated October 5, 2026, was issued by Rakesh Kumar, Under Secretary (Estt./Admin.). The last date for receipt of applications, complete in all respects, is October 26, 2026.

The seven advertised vacancies are distributed as follows:

Separately, NPPA will prepare reserve panels or waiting lists for the following positions:

The reserve panels will be valid for one year or for a period decided by the competent authority.

Eligibility for the advertised vacancies

The qualifications, experience requirements and upper age limits are specified in Annexure-A of the notice.

For every position, candidates must also have good working knowledge of MS Office, including Excel, along with good communication and analytical skills.

Eligibility for reserve-panel positions

Good working knowledge of MS Office, including Excel, and good communication and analytical skills are required for both reserve-panel positions.

How candidates will be shortlisted

NPPA will shortlist applicants on the basis of weighted academic marks. Shortlisted candidates will then be called for a personal interview and a Computer Proficiency Test.

For Consultant (Cost–Grade-II), the academic weightage will be:

The notice illustrates that a candidate with 80% in Class XII and 60% in the CA/CMA Intermediate examination would obtain a weighted score of 46, calculated as (20% × 80) + (50% × 60) = 16 + 30.

For Consultant (Medical Device), Consultant (Legal) and all Young Professional positions, the weightage will be:

For candidates with a five-year integrated course, the notice specifies a weightage of 40%, with the total weightage not exceeding 70%.

Its illustration shows that a candidate with 80% in Class XII and 60% in the undergraduate qualification would obtain 48, calculated as (30% × 80) + (40% × 60) = 24 + 24.

For Consultant (Data Analysis), academic weightage will depend on whether the candidate has a postgraduate qualification:

Where a candidate does not possess a postgraduate degree or diploma, the weightage assigned to postgraduation will be redistributed between Class XII and undergraduate marks, resulting in weightages of 30% and 40%, respectively.

The notice provides two illustrations:

• With postgraduation: A candidate with 80% in Class XII, 60% in graduation and 70% in postgraduation would score 48 out of 70, calculated as 16 + 18 + 14.

• Without postgraduation: A candidate with 80% in Class XII and 60% in graduation would score 48 out of 70, calculated as 24 + 24.

Interview, computer test and final merit

The interview will assess communication skills, general awareness, interest in the field applied for and experience. The final merit list will use the following components:

The Computer Proficiency Test will be qualifying in nature. Working knowledge of MS Office is compulsory, and candidates found deficient in MS Office operations may be summarily rejected.

Shortlisted candidates will be informed by email 10 days in advance of the interview and Computer Proficiency Test. They must make their own arrangements to attend; no travelling allowance or daily allowance will be reimbursed for appearing in either assessment.

Selection will be conducted by a selection committee constituted by the competent authority. The committee may reject candidates found unsuitable during the interview, with reasons recorded.

Existing outsourced staff working at NPPA may also apply if they possess the required educational qualification for the advertised position.

How to apply

Applicants must use the prescribed application form provided in Annexure-B and submit it with self-certified/self-attested copies of all supporting documents.

Applications may be submitted through either of the following methods:

The notice carries NPPA’s office address as 3rd and 5th Floor, YMCA Cultural Centre Building, 1 Jai Singh Road, New Delhi–110001, while directing hard-copy applications specifically to the fifth-floor address above.

Applications must reach NPPA by October 26, 2026. Incomplete applications, or those submitted without self-certified copies of certificates supporting educational qualifications, age, experience and other relevant particulars, are liable to summary rejection.

NPPA will communicate with candidates through email only. Applicants have been advised to check their email accounts regularly.

Details required in the application form

The application form requires the following information:

1. Name of the position applied for: This is mandatory. Failure to specify the position will result in outright rejection.

2. Candidate’s name.

3. Date of birth.

4. Father’s name.

5. Nationality.

6. Address for correspondence.

7. Permanent address.

8. Phone number.

9. Email address.

10. Educational qualifications, starting from matriculation.

11. Work experience.

12. Whether the candidate has previously worked at NPPA.

13. If applicable, the duration of previous NPPA service and the reason for leaving, supported by documents.

14. Level of computer knowledge, particularly MS Office and Excel.

15. Acknowledgement of the contractual nature of the engagement and the absence of entitlement to regular government employee benefits or future regularisation.

16. An undertaking to comply with the advertisement’s terms and conditions.

For educational qualifications, candidates must provide the course name, subjects, board/university/institute, year of passing, percentage of marks and supporting documents. A separate sheet may be attached if necessary.

For work experience, the form seeks the organisation’s name, employment period with “from” and “to” dates, post held, job responsibilities, reason for leaving and supporting documents. Additional sheets may be attached where required.

Candidates must rate their proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or None.

The form must bear the candidate’s signature, date and place. Self-attested copies of certificates and documents must be enclosed.

Contract duration and legal status

The engagement will initially be for one year and may be extended for a further two years, depending on performance and the authority’s requirements. In general, a Consultant or Young Professional will not be permitted to serve beyond 65 years of age.

The selected individual will have the legal status of an independent Consultant/Young Professional and will not be regarded as an NPPA staff member or official. The contract will not establish an employer–employee relationship.

The engagement will not provide any claim, right or preference for regular appointment to a government post, future employment or regularisation in NPPA or the Government of India.

Selected candidates will receive engagement letters and must join within the period specified in their offer.

Fees, increments, taxes and benefits

The consolidated monthly fee will include applicable taxes. No separate dearness allowance, house rent allowance, transport allowance or similar allowance will be paid.

An annual increment of 5% of the initial consolidated fee may be awarded after completion of one year to individuals considered for continuation in the subsequent year, subject to satisfactory performance and recommendation by their reporting officer.

The engagement will not entitle Consultants or Young Professionals to benefits available to regular employees, including provident fund, pension, insurance, gratuity, medical attendance or treatment, seniority or promotion. They will also have no entitlement to other claims, benefits or compensation available under rules applicable to regular government employees.

The notice states that the guidelines will stand modified in line with amendments and orders issued from time to time by nodal departments, including the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Department of Expenditure (DoE).

Income tax or other applicable taxes will be deducted at source under prevailing rules before payment, and NPPA will issue the relevant TDS certificate. The authority will not be liable for taxes or other contributions payable by the individual on payments received under the contract.

Monthly remuneration will be credited to the individual’s account after verification of biometric/physical attendance.

Working hours, attendance and assigned duties

Normal working hours will be 9.30 am to 6 pm on working days, including a one-hour break.

Depending on work requirements, Consultants and Young Professionals may have to work late or attend office on Saturdays, Sundays and other gazetted holidays without additional remuneration.

Enrolment in the Aadhaar-based Biometric Attendance System (BAS) is compulsory. The notice specifies that attendance recorded in BAS will serve as proof of office attendance and form the basis for payment.

Selected individuals must perform assigned duties. The competent authority may allocate any duty as required, without any extra or additional allowance.

NPPA will provide basic support, including office space, furniture, stationery, a computer and internet access, to facilitate the assigned work.

Consultants and Young Professionals cannot accept or engage in any other part-time job or profession during the contractual period.

Leave and official travel

Consultants and Young Professionals will be eligible for 12 days of leave in one year on a pro-rata basis, in addition to gazetted holidays.

Unused leave cannot be carried forward if the contract is extended beyond one year. Absence beyond the prescribed leave entitlement will attract the “no work, no pay” principle.

Women Consultants and Young Professionals may be eligible for maternity leave under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, referred to in the notice through Ministry of Labour and Employment communication No. S-36012/03/2015-SS-I dated April 12, 2017.

Domestic official travel may be required with approval from the competent authority. For approved travel, TA/DA reimbursement will be admissible at the level applicable to an Under Secretary to the Government of India.

No travelling allowance will be payable for joining NPPA on contract.

Conduct, confidentiality and verification

Selected individuals must observe accepted office etiquette, keep themselves updated on developments, rules and regulations in their field, and advise NPPA officers accordingly. Failure to comply with NPPA rules and regulations may lead to termination.

They must follow applicable Government of India rules and demonstrate honesty, office secrecy and sincerity in discharging their duties. Unsatisfactory service or conduct conflicting with NPPA’s interests may result in discontinuation without assigning a reason.

Consultants and Young Professionals must comply with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. A breach may lead to termination and a recommendation for appropriate legal action.

They will be subject to the Indian Official Secrets Act, 1923, and cannot use NPPA’s name, emblem or official seal for commercial purposes outside the discharge of assigned duties.

Police verification may be undertaken under the latest Ministry of Home Affairs instructions. An adverse police-verification report will result in the contract ending immediately without notice.

False declarations, incorrect information or wilful suppression of material information may lead to removal from the contract and further action considered necessary by the Government.

Medical fitness, insurance and compensation

Engagement is subject to physical fitness. Candidates must submit a medical certificate from an MBBS doctor at the time of joining.

The notice states that compensation will not be payable to the Consultant/Young Professional or their dependants in the event of death or grievous injury during the course of duties. It advises individuals to obtain and maintain adequate insurance at their own responsibility to meet their obligations.

Termination and dispute resolution

NPPA may terminate a contract at any time without prior notice and without providing a reason. In the normal course, however, it will give one month’s notice.

A Consultant or Young Professional may also seek termination by giving one month’s notice to NPPA.

Any dispute, controversy or claim arising from the contract, including its breach, termination or invalidity, will first be addressed through an amicable settlement between NPPA and the individual. If unresolved, either party may refer it to the Chairman, NPPA, for arbitration. The Chairman may appoint an arbitrator to settle the matter.

Terms of reference and NPPA’s reserved powers

Heads of Divisions must prepare detailed terms of reference describing the work to be performed well before engagement and submit them as an annexure to the Administrative Division for processing.

These terms of reference are mandatory, will form part of the individual contract, and must specify the functions to be performed and outputs to be delivered.

NPPA reserves the right to cancel the advertisement partly or fully, discontinue the engagement process at any stage, and accept or reject any or all applications without providing an explanation.

The Chairman, NPPA, may relax provisions of the guidelines where considered necessary or expedient, through an order recording the reasons in writing.