The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has issued a directive to its inspectors, reinforcing and expanding upon existing guidelines for the inspection of pharmacy institutions during the 2025-2026 academic session. The circular emphasizes strict compliance with Aadhaar authentication, faculty verification, and thorough reporting. This circular was issued on March 7, 2025.
It may be recalled that the PCI had issued Circular dated June 21, 2024, outlining the “Do’s & Don’ts” for inspectors using the mobile application during inspections. The present circular is intended to be a continuation of this circular.
Key Directives for Inspectors
Aadhaar Authentication (AEBAS)
Inspectors must verify that the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) is installed and compliant with the Gazette Notification dated 24.11.2024 and PCI guidelines.
Non-compliance will result in the institution’s approval for the 2025-2026 academic session being withheld.
Faculty Consent and Salary Verification
Inspectors must confirm that faculty members who have given consent to an institution are considered faculty only for that specific institution.
Inspectors must verify the salary details of each faculty member as submitted in the Student Information Form (SIF). Faculty members with zero salary or without salary records will not be included in the overall faculty count.
Only faculty members with QR Code-based smart cards will be considered valid during inspections.
Detailed Reporting
Inspectors must provide specific comments and deficiencies regarding infrastructure (classrooms, laboratories, common facilities), teaching and non-teaching staff, lab equipment, library resources, AEBAS devices, and other relevant areas in the mobile application’s remarks/declaration section.
Compliance with Regulations
Inspectors must thoroughly review all relevant PCI guidelines and regulations to ensure strict compliance.
Inspectors must cross-verify the data of admitted students as declared in the SIF with the number of students on the portal and in the records. The list of students must be attached to the mobile application during the inspection.
Consequences of False Information
The PCI has warned that any false or frivolous information provided by inspectors or institutions will result in:
- The inspection being declared null and void.
- The recovery of inspection costs from both the institution and inspectors.
- Legal action against inspectors.
- Inspectors being debarred from future inspections.
The PCI urges inspectors to exercise due diligence during inspections to ensure accurate and reliable assessments of pharmacy institutions.
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