D Pharma: Course Details, Fees, Full Form, Eligibility, Duration, Admission

Mandavi Shukla

Updated on - Jan 3, 2024

D Pharma is a two-year-long, entry-level certificate course that deals with the study of science and the art of preparing and dispensing medicines and drugs. Students are equipped with the knowledge of basic pharmacy education including the application of chemistry, concepts of biochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology that enable them to acquire career opportunities in public and private companies as Clinical Pharmacists, Pharmacologists, Clinical Research Associates (CRA), etc.

About D Pharma Course

The D Pharma course gives students a thorough understanding of the concepts and methods used in pharmacy, including drug composition, preparation, and management. The D Pharm course duration is two years, which is divided into four semesters. Admission in D Pharmacy can be done through entrance exams or merit scores as per the college requirements.

Students must have a minimum aggregate score of 50% in higher secondary (10+2) from the science stream to be eligible for D Pharmacy. The average D Pharma fees is in the range of INR 10,000 to 1 LPA. The D Pharma syllabus includes various topics on theoretical and practical concepts of biochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. 

After obtaining a degree in D Pharma, the students have the scope to build a rewarding career for themselves in the pharmaceutical industry, which makes the D Pharma job scope extensive, providing jobs in both the private and public sectors.

Also Read: Pharmacy Courses

Why Choose D Pharma Course?

Before deciding on a career, students encounter queries like, "What is the scope of D Pharma?" and "Why choose D.Pharma?". To clearly understand the answers to these questions and know more about D Pharmacy, we have framed the following three pointers:

Reasons Why D Pharm Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?

Pharmacists play an essential role in society as they define the healthcare sector. D Pharma can be a rewarding career for graduates as it prepares students for exciting and successful careers in pharmaceutical work. The most important reasons to pursue D pharm is listed below:

• Career Scope and Options: Healthcare is an ever-growing and nonstatic career. Students in healthcare have a vast opportunity in terms of growth and development. Government and private jobs are available for pharmacy graduates with attractive initial salary offers.
• Job Flexibility: Students of pharmacy have the opportunity to have good career flexibility because they can work either the night shift or the day shift in their chosen fields. One can choose their work hours depending on their routine. 
• Community Service: Pharmacists have the necessary skillset and knowledge of medicine and pharmacies which can be contributed to the well-being of the community they live which can aid the people in the community to get assistance in times of any health hazards. 
• Higher scope of studies: A diploma in Pharmacy is a well-designed course that helps graduates to go for higher studies which will allow them to gain a thorough understanding and adequate insight into the field.
• Demand: India has a vast manufacturing base for pharmaceuticals, allowing it to produce generic medications with a great deal of flexibility. According to the Hindu, The Indian pharmaceutical business is anticipated to develop at a rate of 12% (CAGR) and reach $130 billion by the year 2030.

Read More: D Pharmacy Career Opportunies

Who Should Pursue D Pharm Course?

D Pharmacy is a course that primarily focuses on the healthcare industry. Candidates who wish to pursue D Pharma should be interested in the following:

• Desire to work in the healthcare field.
• Students who are interested in fundamental or applied research of medicines and pharmaceutical products.
• Students who want to gain knowledge in the study related to pharmacies, drug development, and biotechnology.
• Students who desire to gain core insights in forensic sciences, toxicology, regulatory affairs, clinical analysis, bromatology, and drug marketing.

D Pharmacy Eligibility Criteria

The basic D Pharm course eligibility are usually the same for most colleges offering D Pharm. The typical D Pharmacy eligibility criteria are discussed below. 

• Students need to pass a High school Degree (10+2) or equivalent from a recognized board of education.
• Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Mathematics need to be the compulsory subjects taken in Higher Secondary.
• Students need to qualify with a minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates) or an equivalent CGPA in a Higher secondary degree.
• The minimum D Pharma age limit is 17 years.

D Pharmacy Admission Process

D Pharmacy admission process is based on merit/entrance exam methods. While some colleges offer admission in D Pharmacy courses based on marks obtained by students in the D Pharma entrance exam, other colleges offer direct admissions. For the D Pharma qualification, students must ensure that they satisfy the D Pharmacy eligibility criteria. Mentioned below are the details of the D Pharmacy admission process in general:

How to Apply

Students are advised to be aware of the latest updates in the application process. The typical registration process for the D Pharma course is discussed below.

• D Pharmacy registration can be carried out through online and offline methods.
• Students should visit the college's admission website for online applications and fill out the application form.
• Students are required to submit the required documents (government ID, Score Cards, Certificates) for the document verification process.

Selection Process

The selection process for the D Pharma course in India is usually the same. However, for some colleges, the selection process may differ. The typical selection process for D Pharmacy is discussed below.

• The selection is primarily based on the aspirant's D Pharma entrance exam marks.
• Some colleges conduct their own entrance exams for admission
• Other colleges can offer direct admissions based on the 10+2 merit of the students.
• Students need to acquire appropriate cut-off marks for getting shortlisted to the desired colleges.
• Shortlisted candidates are called for group discussions and personal interview rounds conducted by the colleges for final selection.

Also Read on The History of Pharmacy in India

State Wise D Pharmacy Admissions

There are some exams conducted by the state for entrance to some of the universities. Here is a list of some of the exams: 

D Pharma Entrance Exam

Almost all colleges offering the D Pharm course have an entrance exam-based admission process. The entrance exam can be performed well if the students are well-versed in the D Pharma entrance exam syllabus. Some of the top D Pharmacy entrance examinations are:

A Quick Glance at the D Pharma Entrance Exams

Before appearing for the D Pharmacy entrance exams, students should be aware of all the details regarding the D Pharma entrance exam. This will help students make timely preparations and know the syllabus. To prepare better for the exams, students must consider investing in D Pharm books. In general, the exam pattern that is followed is:

• Total marks in the paper would be around 500
• Questions are in MCQ format
• The total time for attempting the questions is 3 hours or 180 minutes
• 125 objective-based questions with topics from the undergraduate curriculum prescribed by PCI (Pharmacy Council of India).

D Pharma Entrance Exam Syllabus

To be admitted to the D.Pharma program, candidates must also pass a D pharma entrance exam. The subject matter is chosen from the following four to be framed as a question. The questions are generally based on Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Students must cover the following topics for the D pharma entrance exam:

• Units and Measurement
• Gravitation
• Power and Energy
• Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
• Sets
• Botany
• Zoology

D Pharma Fees in India 

The D Pharma fees for various colleges in India are around INR 10,000 - 1 LPA. The D Pharmacy course fees may vary based on the type of institute, location, infrastructure, faculties, and facilities available. Below is a table of several D Pharma college fees. 

Top D Pharmacy Colleges in India as per NIRF Ranking

D Pharmacy colleges are located all across the country in different regions. Students can opt for the best college depending on their merit and entrance exam performance. Some of the world's most renowned pharmaceutical universities are based in India.

Here is a list of some of the top universities in India that offer D.Pharma:

Top D Pharma Colleges in Mumbai

Below is some of the best D Pharmacy college in Mumbai.

Top D Pharma Colleges in Pune

The Indian science city is also home to a plethora of pharmacy institutes that provide some of the best courses. Here is a list of information regarding D Pharmacy colleges in Pune.

Top D.Pharma Colleges in Delhi

D pharma colleges in Delhi offer a wide range of pharmacy courses along with specializations. Listed below are some of them:

Top D Pharma Colleges in Kolkata

 Kolkata is also a host of numerous pharmacy colleges, some of d pharma colleges in Kolkata are mentioned below:

Top D.Pharma Colleges in Chennai

Chennai also offers a wide range of pharmacy courses under some of the best institutes. Listed below are some of them:

Top D Pharma Colleges in Bangalore

The Indian Silicon Valley is also home to a number of pharmaceutical companies, which offer numerous opportunities to pharmacy graduates. Here is a list of D Pharmacy colleges in Bangalore:

Top D Pharma Colleges in Hyderabad

Some of the world's most well-known pharmaceutical companies are headquartered in India's ever-expanding green city and new commercial hub, including Prudential, Progenerics, Crescent, and Pegasus Farmco. Listed below are some of the top colleges:

Top D Pharma Government Colleges

There are government colleges in India that offer D Pharm courses. The D Pharma government college fees are comparatively less than the private colleges. Here is a list of some government colleges that offer the course:

Top D Pharma Private Colleges

Other D.Pharma Colleges in India

D Pharma Syllabus and Subjects

D Pharm course duration is two years with four semesters. The D Pharm syllabus and subjects are designed to provide an in-depth understanding of pharmacy and the appropriate use of medication for therapeutic purposes. The program consists of core subjects and has no specializations. Listed below are a few core subjects in the course:

• Pharmaceutics
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Pharmacognosy
• Biochemistry
• Clinical Pathology
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Health Education

Read More: D Pharma Syllabus & Subjects

D Pharma Course Comparison

There are many courses in Pharmacy available to aspirants based on their preferences. B.Pharmacy and D Pharmacy are two of the most popular Pharmacy courses. The section below highlights the comparison of B Pharma vs D Pharma:

B Pharma vs D Pharma

Given below are the differences between the two courses:

Read More: B.Pharma vs D.Pharma

Preparation Tips for D Pharma Course

D.Pharma is a short-term pharmaceutical career option, and students should know all about the D Pharma course before pursuing the course. Some of the essential tips for students seeking admission to the D Pharma course are:

• Study about the Course: Do a detailed study of the course and its syllabus. Then, choose the best-suited career option for you.
• Improvise Your Skills: For grabbing the best opportunities and good performance throughout the course, improve your biology and medical science skills. Also, enhance your communication skills.
• Go for Internships: It will benefit the students to go for internships and get real-time work experience.

Scope For Higher Education

There are various higher study options available for graduate students after a Diploma in Pharmacy, which can help them better understand pharmaceutical science. Listed below are some of the popular higher education options available for students after D pharm:

• Ph.D
• MBA
• B.Pharma

D Pharmacy Salary of a Graduate

The average salary for a D.Pharma graduate is around INR 2-5 LPA (Source: PayScale), which would increase with experience and skills. D.Pharma offers ample job opportunities to students in the pharmaceutical sector and other private and public institutions which includes pharmacists, Scientific Officers, Quality analysts, etc. 

Read More: D Pharmacy Salary

Career Options After D Pharma

D.Pharma opens various avenues for students who can choose a career from a diverse range of profiles, such as:

• Clinical Pharmacist
• Hospital Pharmacy Director
• Hospital Staff Pharmacist
• Pharmacist
• Pharmacist in Charge
• Pharmaceutical Firms
• Educational Institutes
• Sales and Marketing Department
• Research Agencies
• Food and Drug Administration
• Retail Pharmacist
• Retail Staff Pharmacist

Skills That Make You The Best D Pharma Graduate

D.Pharm graduates should develop good research and analytical skills. They should be good at communication skills and creative in bringing innovative ideas. A few necessary skills for D.Pharma graduates are:

• Strong Interpretation Skills
• Strong Analytical Skills
• Good Communication Skills
• Good Research Skills
• Strong Interpretation Skills

Top D.Pharma [Diploma in Pharmacy] Colleges

C. V. Raman Global University

Bhubaneswar,Odisha

Royal Global University

Guwahati,Assam

IIMT University

Meerut,Uttar Pradesh

Top Pharmacy Entrance Exams

GPAT

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

CEE AMPAI

BITSAT

Exam Date: May 20, 2024

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

WBJEE

Exam Date: Apr 28, 2024

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

KCET

Exam Date: Apr 18, 2024

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

UPTU

Exam Date: Mar 11, 2024

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

AP EAMCET

Exam Date: May 16, 2024

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

IPU CET

Exam Date: May 31, 2023

• Eligibility Criteria
• Syllabus

VIEW ALL

D.Pharma Fee Structure