The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has officially notified the new recruitment rules for the post of Drug Inspector in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The recruitment will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and replaces the 2010 rules.
This marks one of the biggest openings in CDSCO history, with 419 Drug Inspector vacancies announced for 2026.
UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Department | Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), DGHS, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare |
| Post Name | Drug Inspector |
| Vacancies | 419 (subject to variation depending on workload) |
| Classification | General Central Service, Group ‘B’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial |
| Pay Scale | Level-8 in Pay Matrix ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
| Method of Recruitment | 100% Direct Recruitment through UPSC |
| Probation Period | 2 years (with mandatory 2-week induction training) |
| Headquarters | CDSCO Headquarters, New Delhi |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Selection Process | Written Examination + Interview (UPSC) |
| Consulting Authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Rule Reference | G.S.R. 832(E), dated 11 Nov 2025 |
UPSC Drug Inspector 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| official Gazette notification (G.S.R. 832(E) | 11 November 2025 |
| Notification 1 | NA |
| Online Application Start Date | NA |
| Last Date to Apply | NA |
| Exam Date | To be announced |
🎓 Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess any one of the following degrees from a recognized university:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Medicine with specialization in Clinical Pharmacology, or Microbiology.
Relaxations:
- UPSC may relax qualifications for well-qualified candidates.
- SC/ST candidates may receive relaxation in experience criteria if needed.
⏳ Age Limit
- UR/EWS: Up to 30 years
- OBC: Up to 33 years
- SC/ST: Up to 35 years
- PwBD: Up to 40 years
- Government Servants: Relaxable up to 5 years
The crucial date for age determination will be mentioned in the official UPSC advertisement.
⚙️ Selection Process
Recruitment will be conducted by UPSC through:
- Written Examination
- Paper-I: Pharmaceutical Sciences (200 marks)
- Paper-II: General Knowledge (50 marks)
- Interview / Personality Test (100 marks)
(The detailed syllabus and marking scheme will be provided in the UPSC notification.)
🧑🔬 Job Role & Responsibilities
- Inspect pharmaceutical manufacturing units
- Ensure compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act
- Oversee quality standards and licensing conditions
- Monitor safety and handle cases related to spurious drugs
💰 Salary & Benefits
- Pay Matrix Level-8: ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100
- Perks: DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, LTC, Pension Benefits, etc.
📆 Probation & Training
Selected candidates will undergo:
- Two years of probation, including
- Mandatory induction training of at least two weeks duration.
🧾 Application Process
Applications will be accepted through UPSC’s Online Recruitment Application (ORA) system once the detailed advertisement is released.
Steps:
- Visit https://upsconline.gov.in/ora
- Search for “Drug Inspector (CDSCO)”
- Register and fill in all details
- Upload documents & pay fee
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹25
- SC/ST/PwBD/Women: Exempted
📘 Summary of Key Changes (2025 Rules vs 2010 Rules)
| Feature | 2010 Rules | 2025 Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment Year | 2010 | 2025 |
| Total Posts | ~100 | 419 |
| Educational Qualification | Pharmacy / Pharma Science | Pharmacy / Pharmaceutical Sciences / Medicine (Clinical Pharmacology) / Microbiology |
| Mode of Recruitment | By Selection | 100% Direct Recruitment via UPSC |
| Probation | 1 year | 2 years + training |
| Pay Scale | PB-2 ₹9300–34800 + GP ₹4600 | Level-8 ₹47,600–₹1,51,100 |
🏁 Conclusion
The UPSC Drug Inspector 2026 recruitment marks a significant expansion under the new G.S.R. 832(E) notification.
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Microbiology, and Clinical Pharmacology graduates should begin preparation early — focusing on Drug Acts, Manufacturing, Analysis, and Current Affairs related to health and pharma.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for the Drug Inspector 2026 recruitment?
A1. The exact last date will be specified in the official Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) advertisement. Under the revised rules, the age-limit is “not exceeding 30 years” for direct recruits.
Q2. Is there a negative marking in the Drug Inspector exam?
A2. The detailed exam scheme (including whether negative marking applies) will be published in the UPSC notification. The Gazette notification itself does not specify exam-pattern details.
Q3. Can a B.Pharm graduate apply for the Drug Inspector post?
A3. Yes — one of the required educational qualifications is a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, or Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Medicine with specialization in Clinical Pharmacology, or Microbiology.
Q4. What is the selection process for the Drug Inspector post?
A4. Recruitment is through direct recruitment via UPSC in consultation with UPSC. The process will involve a written exam and interview/personality test as per standard UPSC practice.
Q5. What is the salary of a Drug Inspector under the new rules?
A5. The pay scale is Level-8 in the Pay Matrix (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) under the 7th CPC, as notified in the Gazette.
Q6. How many vacancies are available for the Drug Inspector post in 2026?
A6. The recruitment rules specify 419 posts (subject to variation depending on workload).
Q7. Is probation required after appointment to the Drug Inspector post?
A7. Yes — the rules require a probation period of two years, which includes a mandatory induction training of at least two weeks.
Q8. Can freshers apply for the Drug Inspector post in 2026?
A8. Yes, freshers are eligible to apply for the Drug Inspector post, as there is no prior experience requirement mentioned in the 2026 recruitment rules. Candidates only need to fulfill the educational qualification and age limit criteria (not exceeding 30 years).
However, candidates with relevant industry or regulatory experience may have an advantage during the selection process.
Final Tips for UPSC Drug Inspector Preparation
✅ Focus on Pharmacy Acts & Regulations (Drugs & Cosmetics Act, Pharmacy Act).
✅ Practice MCQs on Pharmaceutical Sciences & General Knowledge.
✅ Follow Current Affairs (Especially related to Health & Pharma Sector).
✅ Solve Previous Year Papers for exam pattern understanding.
🔗 Important Links
| DETAILS | LINKs |
| Official Notice | Download |
| UPSC Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
| Apply Online | https://upsconline.gov.in/ora/VacancyNoticePub.php |
| DOWNLOAD SYLLABUS | Download |
Stay tuned for the official notification! Bookmark this page for updates on UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026. 🚀
About UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier recruiting agency for central government jobs. It conducts examinations for prestigious posts like IAS, IPS, IFS, and other Group A & B services.
This is not a recruitment advertisement or vacancy announcement by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The G.S.R. 832(E) Notification, published on 11th November 2025 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, only updates the official Recruitment Rules for the post of Drugs Inspector in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
The actual vacancy notification and online application will be released later by UPSC on its official website — https://www.upsc.gov.in and https://upsconline.gov.in.
Candidates are advised to wait for the official UPSC advertisement (with the number of posts, exam pattern, syllabus, and last date) before applying.
