New Delhi: The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has directed all Examining Authorities, including Universities and Boards, to mandatorily register and submit applications on the PCI portal for approval as Examining Authorities under Section 12(2) of the Pharmacy Act, 1948.The step is aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight and ensuring uniform compliance in the conduct of pharmacy examinations across the country.As per the official communication issued on January 19, 2026, all Examining Authorities are required to complete their registration on the designated PCI portal under the “Examining Authority Registration” section. The portal will go live from January 21, 2026, and the deadline for completing the registration and application process has been set as February 21, 2026.PCI has clarified that the approval granted to Examining Authorities will be valid for a period of five years. After the expiry of this tenure, renewal of approval will be mandatory. Further, the authorities have been instructed to regularly update details related to examination schedules and academic calendars, along with the list of affiliated institutions for which consent has been granted. These details are required to be updated annually or whenever changes take place during the approval period.Also Read: PCI Clarifies Open School Students Eligible for Pharmacy Courses, Pharmacist RegistrationThe council has also notified the applicable fee structure for the approval process. Examining Authorities will have to pay a registration fee of ₹10,000 plus GST. In addition, an application regulatory fee of ₹1 lakh plus GST will be applicable for a tenure of five years.To facilitate the approval process, PCI has laid down a comprehensive list of statutory documents that must be uploaded on the portal. These include Gazette notifications declaring the status of universities, relevant provisions of Acts empowering institutions to conduct pharmacy courses and examinations, resolutions of governing bodies where applicable, and certificates from Registrars confirming the willingness to conduct pharmacy examinations. Distinct documentation requirements have been prescribed for Central and State Government Universities, private universities, deemed-to-be universities, and State Pharmacy Councils.For institutions encountering technical issues during the registration or application process, PCI has provided an online grievance redressal mechanism through the portal. Users have been advised to raise issues under the appropriate user category to ensure timely resolution.The directive is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and regulatory consistency in the examination and certification process for pharmacy education in India, while ensuring strict adherence to the statutory provisions of the Pharmacy Act, 1948.Also Read: PCI Releases Draft Pharmacist Service Rules 2025, Proposes Unified National CadreTo view the official notification, click on the link below:https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/alltheexaminingauthoritiesuniversitiesboards-322425.pdf