Supreme Court grants more time for pharmacy college approvals

The Supreme Court has granted the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) an extended deadline of September 15 to approve pharmacy colleges for the 2026-27 academic session. This decision comes after the PCI applied for a modification of the admission schedule, which was originally set by the court in 2012 and later adjusted in 2025.

The PCI cited delays in college inspections, attributed to both the colleges themselves and a shortage of manpower within the regulatory body, as reasons for the slow approval process. They sought permission to push the approval deadline to September 15, allowing classes to commence by October 15.

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We deem it appropriate to allow the application. All states are directed to abide by this order.

A bench of justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe approved the plea, directing all states to comply. However, the court also secured an undertaking from PCI president Montu Kumar M Patel that the regulator would not seek similar extensions in the future. This assurance aims to prevent recurring issues with the academic calendar.

The PCI's application highlighted that many colleges had not yet submitted their Standard Inspection Forms, hindering the necessary inspections for new institutions and additional courses. The shortage of inspectors was also identified as a significant obstacle to meeting the May 31 deadline. Furthermore, the regulator noted that several states are continuing their counseling and admission processes until August due to the NEET-UG 2026 re-test.

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The applicant Council hereby solemnly undertakes before this court that if the extension sought in the present application is granted, the PCI shall strictly adhere to the schedule as extended by this court for this academic session 2026-27 and shall not seek any further extension qua this academic session 2026-27 and undertakes to continue following the schedule prescribed by order dated September 8, 2025.