Drug Inspector is one of the few gazetted government posts reserved almost entirely for pharmacy graduates. In 2026, three commissions have Drug Inspector recruitments on record: UPSC (186 posts in CDSCO), UPPSC (26 posts in Uttar Pradesh) and MPSC (Maharashtra FDA). But only one of them is accepting applications right now, and one has been cancelled. This guide puts the Drug Inspector Vacancy 2026 picture in one place, with official links, so you know exactly where you stand.
Status checked on: 3 October 2026.
Quick answer: latest status
- UPPSC Inspector of Drugs — OPEN. 26 posts. Applications run from 21 September to 21 October 2026. UPPSC lists experience as an essential condition, so read the eligibility section before you apply.
- UPSC Drug Inspector (CDSCO) — APPLICATIONS CLOSED. 186 posts under Advertisement No. 07/2026. Applications closed on 17 July 2026. The recruitment test or interview date has not been announced.
- MPSC Drug Inspector (Group B) — CANCELLED, RE-EXAM PENDING. Advertisement No. 116/2025. MPSC cancelled the recruitment process on 25 August 2026 after paper-leak allegations and has said it will hold a re-examination. The date has not been announced.
Drug Inspector Vacancy 2026: Latest Update
As of 3 October 2026, the only Drug Inspector vacancy open for applications among these three is UPPSC’s. The UPSC and MPSC recruitments are at different stages, and neither is accepting new applications.
| Recruiting body | Posts | Qualification (summary) | Experience | Last date to apply | Exam date | Status | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC (CDSCO, Govt of India) | 186 | Degree in Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine with Clinical Pharmacology/Microbiology, or Pharm.D | Not listed as essential | 17 Jul 2026 (closed) | Not announced | CLOSED | Advt. No. 07/2026 (PDF) |
| UPPSC (FSDA, Uttar Pradesh) | 26 | Degree in Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Medicine with Clinical Pharmacology/Microbiology | Listed as essential (18 months or 3 years, see below) | 21 Oct 2026 | 16 Dec 2026 in UPPSC calendar (tentative) | OPEN | UPPSC advertisement page |
| MPSC (FDA, Maharashtra) | 109 in the advertisement (see note) | Degree in Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Science, or Medicine with Clinical Pharmacology/Microbiology | Not listed in available summaries | 2025 (closed) | Re-exam date not announced | CANCELLED — RE-EXAM PENDING | mpsc.gov.in |
A note on MPSC numbers. The advertisement (No. 116/2025) was published for 109 Group B posts. Some September 2026 news reports describe the cancelled process as covering 154 posts. We could not find an official corrigendum raising the count, so check the MPSC website before relying on either figure.
UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026
UPSC advertised 186 permanent Drug Inspector posts in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, under Advertisement No. 07/2026. It is the largest single post in that advertisement, which covers over 50 posts across ministries.
Status (3 Oct 2026): CLOSED. Online applications ran from 27 June to 17 July 2026 (6:00 PM). No recruitment test or interview date has been announced.
| Detail | UPSC Drug Inspector (CDSCO) |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | No. 07/2026, published 25–26 June 2026 |
| Posts | 186 (UR 55, EWS 41, OBC 39, SC 35, ST 16; PwBD 08 within these) |
| Post classification | General Central Service, Group B, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial; permanent |
| Pay | Level 8 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) |
| Age limit | 30 years (UR/EWS), 33 (OBC), 35 (SC/ST); up to 10 years more for PwBD |
| Essential qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences; or degree in Medicine with specialisation in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology; or Pharm.D, from a recognised university |
| Experience | Not listed as an essential requirement |
| Probation | Two years, with mandatory induction training |
| Headquarters | CDSCO, New Delhi; liable to be posted anywhere in India |
| Selection | Recruitment by selection: interview, with a Recruitment Test (RT) possible for shortlisting |
| Application fee | ₹25; no fee for SC/ST/PwBD and women candidates |
| Official notification | Advertisement No. 07/2026 (PDF) |
| Application portal | UPSC ORA (closed for this post) |
What a CDSCO Drug Inspector does. The advertised duties cover inspecting licensed drug manufacturing premises, drawing samples for test or analysis, investigating spurious-drug cases and complaints, and launching prosecutions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and its Rules.
What happens next. If UPSC decides to hold a Recruitment Test, it will publish the schedule on upsc.gov.in. Candidates who applied should keep their ORA login active and watch the “Recruitment Tests” and “Interview Schedule” sections.
Source note: vacancy count, dates and the application window are taken from UPSC’s Advertisement No. 07/2026. Category break-up, pay, age and qualification wording were cross-checked against multiple published summaries of that advertisement; confirm against the PDF before you rely on a single figure.
UPPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026
The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission is recruiting 26 Inspectors of Drugs for the Food Safety and Drug Administration, Uttar Pradesh. The post is Group B, Gazetted.
Status (3 Oct 2026): OPEN. The application window runs from 21 September to 21 October 2026, with fee payment by 21 October and corrections up to 28 October 2026. The UPPSC website lists the advertisement as live until 28 October 2026 and shows a corrigendum notice against it.
| Detail | UPPSC Inspector of Drugs |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | No. D-6/E-1/2025 (department code S-06/04), as shown on the UPPSC website |
| Posts | 26 (UR 11, OBC 08, SC 05, EWS 02, ST 0); horizontal: women 05, ex-servicemen 01, PwD 01 |
| Pay | Level 8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) |
| Age limit | 21–40 years, with relaxations as per UP Government rules |
| Essential qualification | Degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences, or degree in Medicine with specialisation in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology, from a recognised university |
| Essential experience | One of: 18 months in manufacturing Schedule C drugs; 18 months in testing Schedule C drugs in an approved laboratory; or 3 years as a Drug Inspector inspecting Schedule C manufacturing units |
| Language | Knowledge of Hindi |
| Application window | 21 Sep – 21 Oct 2026 (reopened) |
| Exam | Objective screening test, then interview; merit 75% screening, 25% interview; negative marking applies |
| Screening test date | 16 December 2026 in UPPSC’s 2026 exam calendar (tentative; watch for the admit card notice) |
| Application fee | ₹105 (General/OBC/EWS), ₹65 (SC/ST/ex-servicemen), ₹25 (PwD) |
| Official page | UPPSC advertisement page · uppsc.up.nic.in |
Why the dates look confusing. This advertisement first ran with a 22 December–22 January window. UPPSC reopened it in September 2026, and some reposts still show the older dates. Go by the current window on the UPPSC website.
Before you apply, check two items in the official PDF: the age crucial date (summaries disagree between 1 July 2025 and 1 July 2026) and the exact marks and question count for the screening test. Published summaries do not agree on either, and only the advertisement settles them.
MPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026
The Maharashtra Public Service Commission advertised Drug Inspector (Group B) posts in the Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra, under Advertisement No. 116/2025, published on 29 July 2025. The screening test was held on 22 March 2026 and interviews followed.
Status (3 Oct 2026): CANCELLED — RE-EXAMINATION PENDING. On 25 August 2026, MPSC announced that it had decided to cancel the recruitment process and would organise a re-examination for the same advertisement. According to MPSC’s notice as reported, candidates who were eligible earlier do not need to apply again and will not pay a fresh fee. The re-exam date, time and centres have not been announced.
| Detail | MPSC Drug Inspector (Group B) |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | No. 116/2025, dated 29 July 2025 |
| Posts | 109 in the advertisement (some 2026 news reports cite 154; not officially confirmed) |
| Essential qualification | Degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, or Medicine with specialisation in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology; knowledge of Marathi |
| Pharm.D | A corrigendum in August 2025 is reported to have added Pharm.D; confirm on mpsc.gov.in |
| Experience | Not listed as an essential requirement in available summaries of the advertisement |
| Pay | S-15 scale, ₹41,800 – ₹1,32,300 (as reported) |
| Original application window | 1–21 August 2025 (later extended, as reported) |
| Selection | Screening test followed by interview (interviews were held before the cancellation) |
| Re-examination | Announced; date not yet notified |
| New application or fee | Not required for previously eligible candidates |
| Official sources | mpsc.gov.in · mpsconline.gov.in |
Why it was cancelled. MPSC received complaints that some candidates had the question paper before the 22 March 2026 test. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has since arrested 11 people, including an MPSC under secretary and candidates from the provisional merit list, and the investigation was still widening at the end of September 2026.
What this means for you. If you applied under Advertisement 116/2025, your application stands for the re-exam. Anyone who did not apply in 2025 cannot apply now. Check the MPSC website directly for the re-exam notice; dates circulating on social media are not official.
UPSC vs UPPSC vs MPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026
The biggest practical differences are experience (only UPPSC lists it as essential), age ceiling (UPSC’s is the lowest) and current status.
| Point | UPSC | UPPSC | MPSC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer | CDSCO, Government of India | FSDA, Uttar Pradesh | FDA, Maharashtra |
| Posting scope | Anywhere in India | Uttar Pradesh | Maharashtra |
| Posts | 186 | 26 | 109 (advertised) |
| Qualification | Pharmacy/Pharm. Sciences degree, Medicine (Clin. Pharmacology/Microbiology), or Pharm.D | Pharmacy/Pharm. Sciences degree, or Medicine (Clin. Pharmacology/Microbiology) | Pharmacy/Pharm. Science degree, or Medicine (Clin. Pharmacology/Microbiology); Pharm.D reportedly added |
| Experience | Not essential | Essential: 18 months (manufacturing or testing Schedule C drugs) or 3 years as Drug Inspector | Not listed in available summaries |
| Language | — | Hindi | Marathi |
| Upper age (general) | 30 years | 40 years | As per advertisement (reported 38) |
| Pay | Level 8, ₹47,600–1,51,100 | Level 8, ₹47,600–1,51,100 | S-15, ₹41,800–1,32,300 (reported) |
| Selection | Interview; Recruitment Test possible | Screening test + interview (75:25) | Screening test + interview |
| Application status | Closed 17 Jul 2026 | Open till 21 Oct 2026 | Closed in 2025 |
| Exam status | Not announced | 16 Dec 2026 (calendar, tentative) | Re-exam announced, date pending |
| Official link | Advt. 07/2026 | UPPSC advertisement | mpsc.gov.in |
Drug Inspector Eligibility 2026
Short answer: all three recruitments accept a degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a degree in Medicine with specialisation in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology. UPSC also names Pharm.D. The differences are in experience, age and language.
Educational qualification
The qualification wording in all three notifications follows the Drug Inspector qualification in the Drugs Rules, 1945. That is why it reads the same across commissions. A D.Pharm alone does not qualify for any of these three posts; a degree is required.
Experience requirement
- UPSC: no experience is listed as essential.
- UPPSC: experience is listed as essential. You need one of: 18 months in manufacturing Schedule C drugs, 18 months in testing Schedule C drugs in an approved laboratory, or 3 years as a Drug Inspector inspecting Schedule C units.
- MPSC: available summaries of Advertisement 116/2025 do not list experience as essential.
The UPPSC experience options are not random. They mirror the condition in the Drugs Rules for inspectors who inspect the manufacture of Schedule C substances (biological and special products such as vaccines, sera and parenteral preparations). If you are revising drug laws for these exams, our Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence syllabus (B.Pharm 5th semester) lists the Acts and Rules you will be tested on.
Age and relaxation
| Recruitment | Upper age limit (general) | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC | 30 years | OBC 33, SC/ST 35; up to 10 more years for PwBD |
| UPPSC | 40 years (minimum 21) | As per UP Government rules |
| MPSC | Reported as 38 years (open) | Reported as 43 years for reserved categories |
State-specific requirements
UPPSC requires knowledge of Hindi. MPSC requires knowledge of Marathi and, for state reservation benefits, Maharashtra domicile documents. UPSC is an all-India post with no state-language condition.
Can B.Pharm Graduates Apply for Drug Inspector Recruitment?
Yes, B.Pharm is the core qualification for all three, but it is not always enough on its own.
- UPSC (CDSCO): a B.Pharm degree meets the essential qualification. No experience is listed. Age (30 for general) is the main filter.
- UPPSC: a B.Pharm degree meets the education requirement, but you also need the listed experience. A fresh B.Pharm graduate with no Schedule C manufacturing or testing experience is unlikely to meet the essential conditions.
- MPSC: B.Pharm meets the education requirement in the 2025 advertisement, but applications closed in 2025, so only earlier applicants can take the re-exam.
What about M.Pharm? An M.Pharm graduate holds the required pharmacy degree, so the education condition is met. The M.Pharm does not count as experience by itself; experience conditions still apply where listed.
What about Pharm.D? UPSC names Pharm.D explicitly. For UPPSC and MPSC, check the latest corrigendum on the official site before assuming eligibility.
Drug Inspector Salary 2026
Drug Inspector pay is set by pay level, not by a fixed salary figure. UPSC and UPPSC both place the post at Level 8 of the 7th Pay Commission matrix; Maharashtra uses its own state scale.
| Recruitment | Official pay level / scale | Basic pay range |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC (CDSCO) | Level 8, 7th CPC | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
| UPPSC (UP FSDA) | Level 8 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
| MPSC (Maharashtra FDA) | S-15 (state scale, as reported) | ₹41,800 – ₹1,32,300 |
What about in-hand salary? None of the notifications states an in-hand figure. Take-home pay depends on Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance (which varies by city), other allowances and deductions such as NPS or UPS contributions. Any exact “in-hand salary” you see online is an estimate, not an official number.
If you are weighing Drug Inspector against an industry role, our guide to a regulatory affairs career in India covers the private-sector side of drug regulation.
Drug Inspector Selection Process 2026
Each commission selects differently, so prepare for the process that applies to you.
UPSC (CDSCO). This is a “recruitment by selection” post. UPSC normally shortlists candidates for interview, and when applications far exceed vacancies it may first hold a Recruitment Test (RT). Whether an RT will be held for these 186 posts, and when, has not been announced.
UPPSC. An objective-type screening test with negative marking, followed by an interview. Final merit is calculated as 75% screening test and 25% interview.
MPSC. A screening test followed by an interview. Both stages were completed for Advertisement 116/2025 before the process was cancelled. The re-examination will restart the test stage; MPSC has not yet said how the interview stage will follow.
Drug Inspector Exam Pattern and Syllabus
No commission has published a separate, standalone Drug Inspector syllabus for 2026. Here is what is and is not official.
| Recruitment | Pattern status | Syllabus status |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC | Not announced (RT not yet scheduled) | No official syllabus released; any RT notice will carry the scheme |
| UPPSC | Screening + interview, 75:25 weighting, negative marking (from the notification) | Question count and marks reported differently across sites; confirm in the advertisement or the admit-card notice |
| MPSC | Screening + interview (from the 2025 process) | Re-exam scheme not yet notified |
What to study (based on the qualification and previous Drug Inspector recruitments)
The following is not an official syllabus. It reflects the subjects the qualification is built on and what previous Drug Inspector tests have covered.
- Drug laws: Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 (schedules, licensing, inspection, sampling, offences), Pharmacy Act, NDPS Act, Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, DPCO
- Pharmaceutics and quality: dosage forms, GMP and Revised Schedule M, quality assurance, validation
- Pharmaceutical chemistry and analysis: pharmacopoeial tests, instrumental analysis
- Pharmacology and microbiology: drug classes, adverse effects, sterility and microbial testing
- Current regulatory changes: recent amendments, banned FDCs and CDSCO alerts
Students can map these areas to the B.Pharm Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance syllabus and the Pharmacology I syllabus. For recent rule changes, our explainer on the new cough syrup prescription rule under Schedule K is a good example of the regulatory current affairs these exams draw on.
Documents Required
Keep these ready before you open any portal. The exact list and file sizes are in each advertisement.
- Class 10 certificate (date-of-birth proof)
- B.Pharm / Pharm.D / qualifying degree certificate and all mark sheets
- Experience certificates on employer letterhead, with dates and the nature of work (essential for UPPSC; mention Schedule C manufacturing or testing explicitly where it applies)
- Approved-laboratory or manufacturing-licence details for the employer, if your experience is in testing or manufacturing
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/EWS) in the format the commission asks for
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Domicile certificate for state reservation (UPPSC, MPSC)
- Recent photograph and signature in the specified size
- Valid photo ID
How to Apply for Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026
UPPSC (open until 21 October 2026):
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on uppsc.up.nic.in. UPPSC asks for OTR to be done in advance of the application.
- Open the Inspector of Drugs advertisement from “Live Advertisements” and read the full notification, including the corrigendum.
- Fill in qualification and experience details exactly as they appear on your certificates.
- Upload photograph and signature, pay the fee by 21 October 2026, and submit.
- Use the correction window (up to 28 October 2026) only for genuine errors, and keep the final printout.
UPSC: the application window for Advertisement 07/2026 closed on 17 July 2026. If you applied, log in to UPSC ORA to check your application and watch upsc.gov.in for the Recruitment Test or interview schedule.
MPSC: no new applications are being accepted. Candidates who applied under Advertisement 116/2025 should monitor mpsc.gov.in and their MPSC online account for the re-examination notice and admit card.
Important Dates
The nearest hard deadline is UPPSC’s 21 October 2026 application close.
| Date | Recruitment | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 2026 (tentative) | UPPSC | Screening test, as per UPPSC 2026 exam calendar |
| 28 Oct 2026 | UPPSC | Last date for application corrections |
| 21 Oct 2026 | UPPSC | Last date to apply and pay fee |
| 21 Sep 2026 | UPPSC | Application window reopened |
| 25 Aug 2026 | MPSC | Recruitment process cancelled; re-exam announced |
| 17 Jul 2026 | UPSC | Applications closed |
| 27 Jun 2026 | UPSC | Applications opened |
| 25–26 Jun 2026 | UPSC | Advertisement No. 07/2026 published |
| 22 Mar 2026 | MPSC | Original screening test (now cancelled) |
| 29 Jul 2025 | MPSC | Advertisement No. 116/2025 published |
| Not announced | UPSC | Recruitment Test / interview |
| Not announced | MPSC | Re-examination |
What This Means for Pharmacy Graduates
If you are a fresh B.Pharm graduate: UPSC’s CDSCO post was the one most open to you, since it lists no experience. It has closed, so the useful step now is preparation for future CDSCO and state cycles. UPPSC’s current recruitment lists Schedule C manufacturing or testing experience as essential.
If you have QC, QA or production experience: check whether your work involved Schedule C products (such as sera, vaccines or parenteral preparations) and whether your lab was an approved testing laboratory. That detail decides UPPSC eligibility, so get it written into your experience certificate.
If you applied to MPSC in 2025: your application carries over to the re-exam. Treat the delay as extra preparation time.
If you are still studying: the new PCI B.Pharm curriculum adds regulatory and data-science content that overlaps with what Drug Inspector exams test. Our overview of the new PCI B.Pharm syllabus for 2026 shows where those subjects sit, and the Career Guidance section covers other regulatory career paths.
Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026: Important FAQs
What is the Drug Inspector vacancy in 2026?
As of 3 October 2026, UPSC has 186 Drug Inspector posts in CDSCO (applications closed), UPPSC has 26 posts open until 21 October 2026, and MPSC’s recruitment under Advertisement No. 116/2025 has been cancelled with a re-examination announced but not yet scheduled.
Which Drug Inspector recruitment is open right now?
Only UPPSC’s Inspector of Drugs recruitment is accepting applications, from 21 September to 21 October 2026. UPSC closed on 17 July 2026, and MPSC is not accepting new applications.
What is the qualification for Drug Inspector in 2026?
A degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a degree in Medicine with specialisation in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology. UPSC also accepts Pharm.D. UPPSC additionally lists experience with Schedule C drugs as essential.
Can B.Pharm graduates become Drug Inspectors?
Yes. B.Pharm meets the educational qualification for UPSC, UPPSC and MPSC. For UPPSC you also need 18 months of Schedule C manufacturing or testing experience, or 3 years as a Drug Inspector.
Is experience required for Drug Inspector?
It depends on the recruitment. UPSC’s 2026 advertisement does not list experience as essential. UPPSC lists experience as essential. Available summaries of MPSC’s 2025 advertisement do not list it.
Can D.Pharm holders apply for Drug Inspector?
No. All three recruitments require a degree; a Diploma in Pharmacy alone does not meet the qualification.
Can M.Pharm candidates apply?
Yes, an M.Pharm graduate holds the required pharmacy degree. The M.Pharm itself does not count as work experience, so UPPSC’s experience condition still applies.
What is the Drug Inspector age limit?
UPSC: 30 years for UR/EWS, 33 for OBC and 35 for SC/ST, plus up to 10 years for PwBD. UPPSC: 21 to 40 years with state relaxations. MPSC’s limits are as per its 2025 advertisement.
What is the Drug Inspector salary in 2026?
UPSC and UPPSC Drug Inspectors are in Level 8 (₹47,600–₹1,51,100 basic pay). MPSC’s post is reported at the S-15 scale (₹41,800–₹1,32,300). No notification states an in-hand salary.
What is the Drug Inspector exam pattern?
UPPSC holds an objective screening test with negative marking followed by an interview, with merit weighted 75:25. UPSC may hold a Recruitment Test before the interview but has not announced one. MPSC has not yet notified its re-exam scheme.
When is the MPSC Drug Inspector re-exam?
MPSC has not announced the date. It said on 25 August 2026 that it would hold a re-examination, and earlier applicants do not need to apply again or pay a new fee.
Where can I download the official Drug Inspector notification?
UPSC: Advertisement No. 07/2026 on upsc.gov.in. UPPSC: the Inspector of Drugs advertisement on uppsc.up.nic.in. MPSC: Advertisement No. 116/2025 and its notices on mpsc.gov.in.
Is Drug Inspector a government job?
Yes. The UPSC post is a permanent Group B Gazetted central post in CDSCO; the UPPSC and MPSC posts are Group B posts in the state drug control departments.
Last checked: 3 October 2026. Recruitment details change through corrigenda; always confirm on the commission’s official website before applying.