PCI Opens Portal for Pharmacy Colleges to Seek 2026-27 Approval Extension
New Delhi: The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has opened its portal for existing pharmacy institutions to apply for approval extension for the 2026-27 academic session, with submissions accepted from October 6 to 31, 2025.
The move comes in the wake of revised admission timelines directed by the Supreme Court, ensuring institutions stay aligned with the updated schedule.
In line with the above, the council stated,
"Please note that new institutions applying for the first time, as well as existing institutions seeking approval for the introduction of a new course or raise in admissions, must submit the Standard Inspection Format (SIF), Pharmacy Education Regulatory Charges (PERC), and the requisite statutory documents valid for the 2026-2027 academic session by 31 October 2025 in order to be considered for the 2026-2027 academic session."
Failure to comply with this deadline will result in the application being deferred and considered only for the 2027-2028 academic session, subject to successful submission of SIF and PERC. In such cases, the application will not be processed for the 2026-2027 intake.
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has released a comprehensive circular detailing the updated approval process for the academic year 2026-2027 for both existing and new pharmacy institutions, as well as examining authorities and state governments. This update clarifies the operational guidelines, eligibility, fee structures, procedures, and compliance requirements in light of a recent Supreme Court judgment that has influenced the academic calendar for pharmacy programs.
Key Highlights
Scope: The circular addresses all existing pharmacy colleges, new applicants, examining authorities, universities, boards, and state government education departments.
PCI Portal and Applications: Both new and existing institutions must apply for approvals and course renewals exclusively via the PCI online portal. The service portal remains open throughout the year for various modifications and compliance submissions.
Academic Session 2026-27: Institutions seeking approval or continuation must refer to the corrected Annexure F for Pharmacy Education Regulatory Charges (PERC) and note the attached revised schemes and compliance enclosures.
Eligibility: Only approved and statutory compliant institutions, universities, and trust bodies may apply. Both central/state governments and autonomous bodies are eligible as per the new criteria.
Fee Structure:
- Government bodies: Registration ₹10,000, Exam Affiliation Charges (EAC) ₹1,00,000 (renewable every five years).
- Private universities: Registration ₹50,000, EAC ₹5,00,000 (renewable every five years).
- Annual PERC applies for every course, with strict non-refundable rules.
Penalties: Non-compliance during inspection or failure to meet required standards may result in penalties up to Rs. 20 lakhs per institution.
Mandatory Documents: Detailed documentation—including university approvals, notifications, faculty credentials, and equipment lists—must be submitted for inspection and compliance.
Procedures for Approval: The stepwise process for both new institutions and existing ones applying for course extension or new programs is explicitly detailed, including inspection, compliance, and final approval decisions being binding as per PCI guidelines.
Application Timelines: Institutions must adhere to timelines prescribed by PCI and the Supreme Court; university boards may apply anytime during the year.
Clarification on PERC: Institutions are to follow the corrected Annexure F for regulatory fees; the earlier confusion is resolved with this revision.
The new structure is expected to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve education quality, and closely monitor adherence to prescribed standards and infrastructure norms.
For further details, all stakeholders are urged to consult the complete circular available on the PCI website and ensure compliance with the updated schemes and regulations.
To view the official circular, click the link below:
