PCI launches new ranking system for pharmacy colleges in tie-up with QCI

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has clarified that it is launching a “ranking and rating system” in collaboration with the Quality Council of India (QCI), not an “assessment and rating system” as previously indicated.

This initiative will focus on regulatory compliance and performance outcomes for pharmacy institutions.

The new system will apply to pharmacy colleges offering undergraduate (UG) courses and will introduce a ranking model for diploma-level (DPharm) programs.

The PCI has issued new circulars to this effect, officially withdrawing its earlier announcement that proposed an assessment-based model for both UG and diploma courses.

As part of the rollout for the academic year 2025–26, the ranking and rating process for colleges has already begun.

Letters to colleges offering UG programs are being dispatched from May 1, and onsite ranking visits are scheduled to start from August 1, 2025.

Institutions running UG programs will be required to pay a ranking fee of ₹1,00,000 plus GST to QCI.

For colleges offering diploma programs, the fee has been set at ₹50,000 plus GST. All payments must be completed online via the QCI portal.

"The Pharmacy Council of India is revolutionizing the ranking and rating system for pharmacy education institutes in India by shifting from a compliance-driven model to one that fosters a culture of excellence," the Council stated in its circular dated April 29, replacing a previous version from April 24.

To implement this new approach, PCI has partnered with QCI to develop a robust ranking and rating system.

"The collaboration has formulated 11 criteria and associated parameters for evaluating pharmacy educational institutes, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the overall quality of pharmacy education in India," the circular noted.

These evaluation parameters were pilot-tested in selected institutions across different regions to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

Eligible colleges for the 2025–26 academic year have been directed to take part in QCI-led training sessions, upload necessary data on the designated portal, provide access for onsite verification, follow the specified timelines, and pay the assessment fee of ₹1,00,000 plus GST.

The schedule for UG institutions begins with the dispatch of official letters on May 1, followed by portal registration and fee payment between May 15 and 30.

Application submission and training of assessors and college representatives will take place from June 1 to July 7.

Desktop-based evaluation is scheduled between June 1 and July 15, and the onsite assessment phase will begin on August 1, 2025.

A separate circular outlines the process for D.Pharm colleges, beginning with letters sent out on May 1.

These institutions must register and pay the ₹50,000 plus GST fee online between May 15 and 30.

Applications are to be submitted between June 1 and July 7, while training sessions will occur from June 1 to 30.

Desktop evaluation will run from June 1 to 25, and onsite ranking visits are set to start on July 1, 2025.

PCI has already completed inspections for pharmacy colleges across the country in preparation for the 2025–26 academic session.

As the official body overseeing pharmacy education and practice, PCI is responsible for maintaining educational standards, inspecting institutions, approving curricula, and managing the Central Register of pharmacists.

To enhance transparency and streamline operations, PCI introduced Aadhaar-based authentication on November 23, 2023, which was amended on March 21, 2025.

This system aims to eliminate identity fraud and simplify administrative processes, including verification of teachers, students, and pharmacists.

PCI has also introduced a single-window registration system that links with its student portal, allowing graduates to apply directly to their respective State Pharmacy Councils.

Additionally, PCI has partnered with the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission to improve medication safety and established 72 pharmacovigilance centers nationwide.

The Council is further modernizing its operations by using QR code technology in institutional inspections and reinforcing quality assurance through its collaboration with QCI.

This initiative will focus on regulatory compliance and performance outcomes for pharmacy institutions.

The new system will apply to pharmacy colleges offering undergraduate (UG) courses and will introduce a ranking model for diploma-level (DPharm) programs.

The PCI has issued new circulars to this effect, officially withdrawing its earlier announcement that proposed an assessment-based model for both UG and diploma courses.

As part of the rollout for the academic year 2025–26, the ranking and rating process for colleges has already begun.

Letters to colleges offering UG programs are being dispatched from May 1, and onsite ranking visits are scheduled to start from August 1, 2025.

Institutions running UG programs will be required to pay a ranking fee of ₹1,00,000 plus GST to QCI.

For colleges offering diploma programs, the fee has been set at ₹50,000 plus GST. All payments must be completed online via the QCI portal.

"The Pharmacy Council of India is revolutionizing the ranking and rating system for pharmacy education institutes in India by shifting from a compliance-driven model to one that fosters a culture of excellence," the Council stated in its circular dated April 29, replacing a previous version from April 24.

To implement this new approach, PCI has partnered with QCI to develop a robust ranking and rating system.

"The collaboration has formulated 11 criteria and associated parameters for evaluating pharmacy educational institutes, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the overall quality of pharmacy education in India," the circular noted.

These evaluation parameters were pilot-tested in selected institutions across different regions to ensure transparency and effectiveness.

Eligible colleges for the 2025–26 academic year have been directed to take part in QCI-led training sessions, upload necessary data on the designated portal, provide access for onsite verification, follow the specified timelines, and pay the assessment fee of ₹1,00,000 plus GST.

The schedule for UG institutions begins with the dispatch of official letters on May 1, followed by portal registration and fee payment between May 15 and 30.

Application submission and training of assessors and college representatives will take place from June 1 to July 7.

Desktop-based evaluation is scheduled between June 1 and July 15, and the onsite assessment phase will begin on August 1, 2025.

A separate circular outlines the process for D.Pharm colleges, beginning with letters sent out on May 1.

These institutions must register and pay the ₹50,000 plus GST fee online between May 15 and 30.

Applications are to be submitted between June 1 and July 7, while training sessions will occur from June 1 to 30.

Desktop evaluation will run from June 1 to 25, and onsite ranking visits are set to start on July 1, 2025.

PCI has already completed inspections for pharmacy colleges across the country in preparation for the 2025–26 academic session.

As the official body overseeing pharmacy education and practice, PCI is responsible for maintaining educational standards, inspecting institutions, approving curricula, and managing the Central Register of pharmacists.

To enhance transparency and streamline operations, PCI introduced Aadhaar-based authentication on November 23, 2023, which was amended on March 21, 2025.

This system aims to eliminate identity fraud and simplify administrative processes, including verification of teachers, students, and pharmacists.

PCI has also introduced a single-window registration system that links with its student portal, allowing graduates to apply directly to their respective State Pharmacy Councils.

Additionally, PCI has partnered with the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission to improve medication safety and established 72 pharmacovigilance centers nationwide.

The Council is further modernizing its operations by using QR code technology in institutional inspections and reinforcing quality assurance through its collaboration with QCI.