The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has partnered with the Quality Council of India (QCI) to cultivate a culture of excellence within pharmacy colleges offering UG Program. This circular was issued on April 24, 2025.
This strategic collaboration between the PCI and the QCI, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has resulted in the development of a cutting-edge assessment and rating system. This new framework places a strong emphasis on both regulatory compliance and, crucially, the outcomes of pharmacy education.
The joint effort has culminated in the formulation of 11 comprehensive criteria, accompanied by associated parameters, specifically designed to evaluate pharmacy educational institutes. The overarching objective of this initiative is to significantly enhance the overall quality of pharmacy education across India. To ensure the robustness and transparency of this new assessment framework, the PCI conducted pilot testing of the draft criteria and parameters with a select group of pharmacy institutes spanning various regions.
The PCI announced the commencement of the assessment and rating process for the Academic Year 2025-26. Institutions offering UG pharmacy programs have been identified as eligible for rating in this initial phase.
Key Directives for Eligible Institutions
The PCI has instructed eligible institutions to undertake the following essential steps:
- Designated personnel from the colleges are required to immediately participate in training sessions organized by the QCI to understand the new assessment and rating framework.
- Institutions must meticulously upload all necessary data onto the dedicated online portal, adhering strictly to the guidelines provided by the QCI.
- Colleges will be responsible for providing unrestricted access to QCI and their authorized assessors for thorough onsite verification of the defined parameters.
- Institutions must diligently adhere to the schedules communicated by both the QCI and the PCI throughout the assessment and rating process.
- A non-refundable assessment fee of INR 1 lakh plus Goods and Services Tax (GST) is payable online directly to the QCI.
Detailed Schedule for Assessment and Rating
The PCI has outlined the following detailed schedule for the assessment and rating of pharmacy colleges:
- Issuance of Letter to Respective Colleges: May 1st, 2025
- Registration on QCI Portal and Fee Payment: May 15th – May 30th, 2025
- Application Submission: June 1st – July 7th, 2025
- Training of Assessors and Colleges: June 1st – July 7th, 2025
- Desktop Assessment: June 1st – July 15th, 2025
- Onsite Assessment: August 1st, 2025 onwards
The PCI has urged all concerned pharmacy colleges to take immediate and necessary action to participate actively in this transformative assessment and rating initiative.
For any further inquiries or clarifications regarding the process, institutions can reach out to:
Nikhil Relia Deputy Director NABET (QCI) Mobile: 8588811617 Email: Nikhil.nabet@qcin.org
The PCI has emphasized that the prompt and proactive cooperation of all pharmacy colleges in this endeavor is highly valued. This paradigm shift towards an outcome-focused assessment and rating system, in collaboration with the QCI, signifies a strong commitment to elevating the standards and quality of pharmacy education in India, ultimately benefiting students and the healthcare sector as a whole.
