A pharmacist is a healthcare professional who specialises in medication management. They dispense prescribed medications, and counsel patients on proper drug usage, potential interactions, and side effects. Pharmacists collaborate with healthcare teams, ensuring safe and effective medication therapy, and contribute to public health initiatives.
To become a Pharmacist after 12th there are Diploma, UG, and PG courses. The most popular courses are D.Pharm, B.Pharm, M.Pharm, and Pharm D. Some colleges have entrance exams like GUJ CET, BIT SAT, GPAT, and LPUNEST which need to be taken by aspiring candidates to get enrolled.
The average monthly salary of a Pharmacist is INR 43,422. The average starting salary offered to a Pharmacist in India ranges from INR 17,000 - INR 18,000 per month. Sun Pharmaceuticals, Cipla, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer are some of the top companies recruiting Pharmacists.
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Table of Contents
- How to Become a Pharmacist after 12th: Quick Facts
- Eligibility to Become a Pharmacist after 12th
- Steps to Become Pharmacist after 12th
- Pharmacy Courses after 12th
- Entrance Exams
- Top Pharmacy Colleges
- Skills Required to Become a Pharmacist after 12th
- Benefits of Becoming a Pharmacist after 12th
- Salary of a Pharmacist
- How to Become a Pharmacist after 12th: FAQs
How to Become a Pharmacist after 12th: Quick Facts
| Eligibility | Class 12 |
| Qualifications | A degree in Pharmacy |
| Starting Salary (INR) | INR 2.28 LPA |
| Average Salary (INR) | INR 4.84 LPA |
| Highest Salary (INR) | INR 7.65 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Cipla, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Dabur |
Eligibility to Become a Pharmacist after 12th
To become a Pharmacist after 12th, candidates need to fulfill the eligibility criteria to be eligible for getting admission in the required courses. The eligibility criteria to become a Pharmacist after 12th are listed below.
- The Candidates must have a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in Class 12 with compulsory subjects being Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Candidate must have a diploma or degree in Pharmacy.
Steps to Become a Pharmacist after 12th
Becoming a pharmacist typically involves a series of steps, starting after completing your 12th grade. Here's a general overview of the process.
- Candidates must complete 10+2 education with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects.
- Candidates must research different colleges and universities that offer programs like B.Pharm.
- Candidates must prepare and qualify for the respective entrance exam required for admission into the college of their choice.
- Candidates must complete their degree with at least 60% of the marks.
- Candidates must also pursue internship programs to gain practical knowledge.
Pharmacy Courses after 12th
There are popular courses like Diploma in Pharmacy, Bachelor's in Pharmacy, and B.Pharm in Ayurveda that candidates can pursue after 12th to become a pharmacist. The details of the Pharmacy courses after 12th are mentioned below.
| Degree | D. Pharm | B.Pharm | B.Pharm in Ayurveda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Class 12 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks | Class 12 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks | Class 12 with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks |
| Entrance Exams | GUJCET, BIT SAT, MHCET | NEET, BITSAT, MH CET, CUCET, DSAT, NMIMS CET, IPU CET | UPSEE, MHT CET, BIT SAT, LPUNEST |
| Top Colleges | JSS College of Pharmacy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, etc. | Panjab University, JSS College of Pharmacy, Lovely Professional University, etc. | BHU, Jadavpur University, Indian Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Sciences, etc. |
| Course Fees | INR 50,000 - INR 2,00,000 | INR 1 - INR 4 | INR 55,000 - INR 5 |
| Average Salary (INR) | INR 1 - INR 4 LPA | INR 1.6 - INR 3.6 LPA | INR 1 - INR 3.5 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Sun Pharmaceuticals, Lupin, Cipla, Cadila Healthcare | Lupin, Cipla, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Aurobindo Pharma, Merck | Dabur, Imami, Himalaya Drugs, Patanjali |
Top Pharmacy Colleges
There are several colleges in India offering different Pharmacy courses. The top colleges based on NIRF ranking which are offering Pharmacy courses are mentioned in the table below.
| Name of the College | Location | Average Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Jamia Hamdard | New Delhi | INR 1,80,000 |
| Birla Institute of Technology & Science | Pilani | INR 13,31,700 |
| JSS College of Pharmacy | Ooty | INR 1,15,000 |
| Panjab University | Chandigarh | INR 80,980 |
| Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences | Udupi | INR 10,90,000 |
| Chitkara University | Rajpura | INR 3,28,000 |
| Jadavpur University | Kolkata | INR 9,600 |
| I.S.F College of Pharmacy | Moga | INR 66,300 |
Skills Required to Become a Pharmacist after 12th
Candidates need to have a certain set of skills in order to become better Pharmacists. The basic skills required are mentioned below.
| Medication Management | Communication Skills | Interpersonal Skills |
| Patient Counseling | Analytical Skills | Computer Skills |
Benefits of Becoming a Pharmacist after 12th
Becoming a pharmacist after completing 12th offers several advantages. Here are some key benefits of becoming a pharmacist.
- Job Opportunities: India has a vast and growing healthcare industry, leading to a high demand for qualified pharmacists. With the expansion of healthcare facilities, retail pharmacies, hospitals, and online pharmacies, pharmacists have a range of employment opportunities.
- Diverse Roles: Beyond traditional roles, pharmacists in India can work in various sectors, including hospital pharmacies, community pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, regulatory agencies, and even government healthcare initiatives.
- Career Stability: A pharmacist will never run out of jobs. Medicine is an important requirement today and it is increasing day by day. So, as a pharmacist, there will be more jobs in the future.
Salary of a Pharmacist
The average annual salary of a Pharmacist ranges from INR 2.5 LPA. The starting salary of a Pharmacist is INR 1 LPA to INR 1.5 LPA. Salary increases as the years of experience increase. The following table includes data on the average annual salary of Pharmacists.
| Designations | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinical Pharmacist | INR 2.7 L |
| Hospital Pharmacist | INR 2.3 L |
| Retail Pharmacist | INR 2 L |
| Pharmacist | INR 5.2 L |
How to Become a Pharmacist after 12th: FAQs
Ques. What are the courses after 12th to become a pharmacist?
Ans. after 12th, there is a 2-year D. Pharm course, a 4-year Undergraduate degree in B.pharm & B.Pharm in Ayurveda.
Ques. What are the options after B.Pharm?
Ans. After B.Pharma candidates can opt for further studies like M.Pharm and Ph.D. in Pharmacy or the candidate can seek jobs as a pharmacist in companies or labs.
Ques. What are the skills required to become a good Pharmacist?
Ans. A Pharmacist should have great communication skills and analytical skills, and they must have a good knowledge of Science.
Ques. Are NEET scores required to get admission to a Pharmacy course?
Ans. No, NEET scores are not required. However, there are other entrance exams like MHT CET, BIT SAT, GUJ CET, LPU NEST, etc.
Ques. Is there any age limit to become a Pharmacist after 12th?
Ans. Yes, the candidate must have completed their 17 years of age at the time of admission.
Ques. Which is a better career option: Pharmacy or MBBS?
Ans. Both Pharmacy and MBBS deal with different aspects of the Medical field. But, Pharmacy has its own benefits. The Workload is comparatively less, multiple opportunities career-wise and the cost of education is also less.


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