Maharashtra’s pharmacy education sector is under intense scrutiny as state authorities launch a major crackdown on newly approved pharmacy colleges failing to meet required standards.
Surprise Inspections Reveal Widespread Violations
A joint inspection team has discovered serious violations in over 150 pharmacy colleges approved between 2022 and 2025. Key deficiencies reported include missing or inadequate laboratories, undersized classrooms, lack of qualified teaching and non-teaching staff, and poor library and hostel facilities. Basic safety measures like fire safety and occupancy certificates were also missing in many institutions.
Recent data shows that out of these colleges, more than 120 diploma (D.Pharm) and 20 degree (B.Pharm) institutions did not meet the minimum infrastructure norms set by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI).
Strict Actions and Admission Freeze
In response, the Maharashtra government has given these colleges a strict one-month deadline to fix all deficiencies. Colleges that fail to comply will be barred from participating in the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) for the 2025–26 academic year. Authorities have also warned of further steps, including recommending de-recognition and revoking university affiliations for persistent offenders.
The state has requested a five-year pause on new pharmacy college approvals in Maharashtra, citing widespread quality issues and a large number of vacant seats.
Rapid Expansion, Declining Quality
Since 2022, Maharashtra has seen a rapid increase in pharmacy colleges, now totaling more than 500 degree and nearly 700 diploma institutions. However, this expansion has led to falling quality standards, with nearly 25,000 pharmacy seats remaining vacant last year. Some colleges reportedly have fewer than 10 students.
Inspections found that several colleges had submitted forged or incomplete documents—such as fake building plans and occupancy certificates—to obtain approval. Most approvals were based on paperwork alone, without any on-site verification.
Reform and Road Ahead
To address these issues, the state has submitted a reform plan to the central government, including a halt on new pharmacy colleges, stricter compliance checks, and greater emphasis on research and industry partnerships.
Why This News Matters for Indian Pharmacists and Students
Student security is at stake as many could be affected by admission freezes and uncertainty about the status of their colleges. Quality assurance will improve as only institutions that truly meet PCI standards will be allowed to admit students, raising the bar for pharmacy education. This shift towards quality over quantity is expected to enhance the overall reputation of pharmacy education in Maharashtra, benefitting future pharmacists and the healthcare sector.
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com