Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 5, 2022
What is D Pharma?
Diploma in Pharmacy is a 2 years long career-oriented, entry-level diploma course. Students who wish to pursue a long term career in the medical field of pharmaceutical sciences, starting in entry-level positions are suitable for this course.
Check top D Pharma colleges here.
This program is designed to prepare candidates to work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist in hospitals, community pharmacies, and other pharmaceutical-related fields.
To be eligible to apply to this course, students must have passed Class 12 or equivalent in a relevant discipline from a recognized board with an aggregate of at least 50% marks.
Admission to D Pharma courses is either entrance or merit-based. The most popular entrance tests are GPAT, JEE Pharmacy etc.
Some of the top D Pharma colleges as rated by NIRF 2020 are as follows.
| NIRF Pharmacy Ranking 2020 | Name of the University/ College | Admission Process | Average Fees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 80,000 | INR 4,87,000 |
| 7 | MCOPS, Manipal | Entrance-Based | INR 60,000 | INR 3,77,000 |
| 9 | JSS College of Pharmacy, Udagamandalam | Merit-Based | INR 55,400 | INR 3,50,000 |
| 12 | Annamalai University, Chidambaram | Merit-Based | INR 16,380 | INR 3,24,000 |
| 13 | SPPSPTM, Mumbai | Merit-Based | INR 1,21,500 | INR 4,47,000 |
The average tuition fee charged by colleges or universities for this course in India lies anywhere between INR 10,000 and 1,00,000 per annum. The fee varies as per the type of the institution.
After completing this course, students will be able to find work in various private and public sectors as a Pharmacist, Scientific Officer, Quality Analyst, Production Executive, Medical Transcriptionist etc. Also check top D Pharma Jobs here.
Average initial salary offered to a Pharmacy diploma holder ranges somewhere between INR 2,00,000 and 5,00,000 per annum, which may increase with the number of years of work experience and knowledge in the field
On completion of this course, students can pursue higher studies and advanced academic exploration through B Pharma and other Diploma courses. This course essentially provides a solid basis for further studies and related prospects. Also check top B Pharma Jobs in India here
What is the D Pharma Admission Process?
Admission to the course is usually based on the score obtained by a candidate in an entrance exam. Some of the major entrance exams conducted for this purpose are GPAT, AU AIMEE etc. Some colleges also offer admission on merit basis. The various steps involved in the admission process are given below.
Merit-based Admission
Candidates have to follow the below mentioned steps in order for Merit-Based admission:
- Submit the application to the colleges or universities you wish to seek admission into.
- Get a good score in Class 12 exams.
- In due course of time, colleges release their merit lists. Check if you are eligible for admission into the desired course.
- If eligible, visit the college and submit all the required documents.
Entrance-Based Admission
The guide to apply for entrance exam based admission is as follows.
- Registration: Candidates have to register themselves online by visiting the official website of the conducting body.
- Filling up of Application Form: Fill up the application form with all necessary details with care.
- Upload documents: Scan and upload all required documents like mark sheets. Documents need to be uploaded in a specific format only, as specified by the institute’s application portal.
- Application fee: Pay the requisite amount of application fee
- Download admit card: Admit cards are released once all applicants are judged for eligibility. The admit card must be downloaded and printed out to be used on the day of the examination.
- Examination: Prepare for the exam as per the syllabus and past papers. Appear for the examination on the date announced.
- Results: Results are announced after a couple of weeks of the exam day. If a candidate is successful in qualifying the entrance examinations, they can move on to the next round.
- Counseling and admission: Counselling is held for students who have cleared the entrance examinations. The student can now take admission in the D Pharma course.
What is the D Pharma Eligibility Criteria?
Students who wish to pursue a Diploma in Pharmacy course must fulfil the following eligibility criteria.
- The candidate must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board.
- Students must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
- The candidate must have a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
- 10% relaxation in marks will be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), differently abled, and other categories.
Which are the popular D Pharma Entrance Exams?
There are many national and state-level entrance exams to appear for the admission into the D Pharma program.
Listed below are some of these popular D Pharma entrance exams.
- AU AIMEE: AU AIMEE Pharmacy (Annamalai University All India Medical Entrance Exam Pharmacy) is a state-level entrance examination conducted by Annamalai University each year for admission to various pharmacy programs such as B Pharma, M Pharma, D Pharma, and Pharma D.
- GPAT: GPAT is a national level entrance examination for admission in various courses in Pharmacy. Many colleges prepare the merit lists on the basis of rank scored by the students in GPAT and subsequent group discussion and personal interview for the admission to D. Pharm. GPAT 2020 has been conducted successfully in Jan-Feb 2020. Notification for GPAT 2021 is yet to be declared.
The dates of application and examination for the above-mentioned examinations are mentioned in the table below.
| Entrance exam | Application Deadline | Exam date | Exam mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU AIMEE 2021 | First Week of May 2021 to Last Week of May 2021 | First Week of June 2021 | Online |
| GPAT 2021 | First Week of November 2020 – First Week of December, 2020 | Last Week of January 2021 | Online |
How to Prepare for a Diploma in Pharmacy Entrance Exams?
Some of the important points that candidates can keep in mind while preparing for Diploma in Pharmacy entrance exams are given below:
- Syllabus: Students must go through the syllabus of the course and mark all the important topics from syllabus
- Revise important topics: Revise all the important topics from the syllabus. Make sure to solve all questions that are related to the important topics.
- Practice Previous Year’s Question Papers: Solve previous year’s question paper so that you can get use to the question and it will also help in increasing your speed as the exam will be in online mode
- Mock Test: Candidates can solve and give the online mock test at the official website. It will increase efficiency and speed and will boost up your confidence.
How to get admission in a good Diploma in Pharmacy college?
To secure admission into a top-ranked Diploma in Pharmacy college, a number of factors come into play. Some of the following tips will be helpful in that regard.
- The admission process to the course is either entrance based or merit-based.
- Since most colleges enroll students on the basis of merit, candidates are advised to procure high percentages in the papers in their higher secondary schooling.
- Participation and certification in various extra-curricular activities such as clubs, sports, and NGO volunteering can be an addendum to the list of merits.
- In the case of entrance based selection, it is very important to perform well and score above the qualifying marks in the entrance test in order to get admission in a good college.
- One must be well aware of the latest exam pattern. One must also know the weightage assigned to each section in the exam and prepare accordingly.
- One must start preparing for the entrance exam a year before as this gives ample time for learning and revision.
D Pharma: What is it about?
Information and details about the Diploma in Pharmacy program are as follows.
- Diploma in Pharmacy is a technicality based entry-level diploma course.
- It is 2 years long and suitable for candidates who wish to pursue a long term career in the medical field of pharmaceutical sciences, starting in entry-level positions.
- It is designed to familiarize candidates with the basic concepts of pharmaceutical science.
- D Pharm Syllabus is curated to prepare students with the necessary skills and academic knowledge.
- This course examines other ethical topics such as the distribution of scarce resources, the use of stem cells, the role of genetic testing and issues of human cloning.
D Pharma Course Highlights
Highlights for Diploma in Pharmacy program are provided in the table given below:
| Course Level | Diploma |
| Full Form | Diploma in Pharmacy |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Examination Type | Semester/ Annual |
| Eligibility | Passed Class 12 in a relevant stream from a recognized board. |
| Admission Process | Merit/ Entrance-Based |
| Top Recruiting Organizations | Mankind, Cipla, Sun Pharmaceuticals Industry Ltd., INTAS Biopharmaceuticals etc. |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Health Centers, Pharmaceuticals Firms, Chemist Shops, Research Agencies, Hospitals etc. |
| Top Job Profiles | Pharmacist, Scientific Officer, Quality Analyst, Production Executive, Medical Transcriptionist etc. |
| Course Fees | INR 10,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 2,00,000 - 5,00,000 |
Why study D Pharma?
There are plenty of reasons to study Diploma in Pharmacy. The nation wants professionals who possess good Pharmaceutical knowledge and could do something for the betterment of the farmers of the country. Most of the students prefer studying this course because of the following reasons:
- It opens a pool of opportunities in various fields especially in the Pharmaceutical sector.
- After completion of this course, students are eligible to apply for posts like Pharmacist, Scientific Officer, Production Executive, etc. as entry-level career opportunities.
- Aspirants wishing to upgrade their knowledge to advance their career can opt for academic courses like B Pharm, M Pharm, Pharm D etc.
- Those who complete the diploma course can directly get a job in the relevant field based on their skills, knowledge and calibers.
- The entry-level job opportunities ensure a salary range of 2,00,000 - 5,00,000 for freshers, depending upon the role and company.
D Pharma vs B Pharma
D Pharma and B Pharma are quite similar courses offered in the field of Pharmacy. Some of the key differences and similarities between these two courses are mentioned below.
Also check out the top B Pharma Colleges in India.
| Parameters | B Pharma | D Pharma |
|---|---|---|
| Course Level | Degree | Diploma |
| Overview | It is a career-oriented course and is mainly suitable for those who want to open their own pharmacy store or join the industry for research purposes. | It is a basic level certificate program with basic level education about Pharmacy. |
| Course duration | 4 years | 2 years |
| Examination Type | Semester | Yearly |
| Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 with PCM or PCB | 10+2 with PCM or PCB |
| Admission Criteria | Entrance/ Merit-Based | Entrance/ Merit-Based |
| Course Fee | INR 15,000 to 4,00,000 | INR 10,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2,50,000 to 4,00,000 | INR 2,00,000 to 5,00,000 |
| Job Positions | Drug Inspector, Quality Control Manager, Professor, Entrepreneur, Medical Writer, Sales and Marketing, Formulation Development Associate, Pharmaceutical Scientist etc. | Pharmacist, Scientific Officer, Quality Analyst, Production Executive, Medical Transcriptionist etc. |
Source: College Websites
Which are the Top D Pharma Colleges?
Diploma in Pharmacy courses are offered by many top colleges and universities across the country. Some of the top colleges offering this course have been mentioned below with several other details.
| NIRF Pharmacy Ranking 2020 | Name of the University/ College | Admission Process | Average Fees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 80,000 | INR 4,87,000 |
| 7 | MCOPS, Manipal | Entrance-Based | INR 60,000 | INR 3,77,000 |
| 9 | JSS College of Pharmacy, Udagamandalam | Merit-Based | INR 55,400 | INR 3,50,000 |
| 12 | Annamalai University, Chidambaram | Merit-Based | INR 16,380 | INR 3,24,000 |
| 13 | SPPSPTM, Mumbai | Merit-Based | INR 1,21,500 | INR 4,47,000 |
| 14 | MAHE, Manipal | Merit-Based | INR 55,000 | INR 4,00,000 |
| 25 | DIPSAR, New Delhi | Merit-Based | INR 12,085 | INR 3,35,000 |
| 38 | Chitkara University, Patiala | Merit-Based | INR 1,32,000 | INR 5,20,000 |
| 46 | Integral University, Lucknow | Entrance-Based | INR 80,000 | INR 4,10,000 |
| 76 | Galgotias University, Greater Noida | Merit-Based | INR 1,10,000 | INR 4,28,000 |
Source: College Websites
D Pharma College Comparison
Selecting one among various colleges can be a daunting task. This becomes more difficult when all the colleges hold a certain level of reputation. Hence, to ease the process, the top colleges offering Diploma in Pharma course have been compared below based on various parameters.
| Parameter | Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi | MCOPS, Manipal | JSS College of Pharmacy, Udagamandalam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | This deemed university is ranked 1 by the NIRF pharmacy colleges 2020. This university offers a large number of programs at the UG, PG and the Research level. | Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences is a premier institution of Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The college offers B Pharm, PharmD, D.Pharm and M.Pharm programs. | JSS College of Pharmacy has been accredited by NAAC with A+ grade. This deemed institution offers D Pharma, B Pharma, Pharm. D courses for undergraduate and postgraduate aspirants. |
| Location | New Delhi | Manipal | Udagamandalam |
| NIRF Pharmacy Ranking 2020 | 1 | 7 | 9 |
| Average Fees | INR 80,000 | 60,000 | INR 55,400 |
| Average Salary | INR 4,87,000 | INR 3,77,000 | INR 3,50,000 |
| Admission Criteria | Merit-Based | Entrance-Based | Merit-based |
Source: College Websites
Syllabus
This Diploma in Pharmacy course is taught in traditional yearly based curriculums. Below is mentioned the detailed syllabus of the two years. The syllabus of D. Pharm may be different to an extent as per the curriculum of each institute, but the basic structures and topics remain the same for the entire curriculum offering this particular diploma course.
| Year I | |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutics I | Introduction to different dosage forms |
| Metrology | |
| Packaging of pharmaceuticals | |
| Size separation by Shifting | |
| Clarification and Filtration | |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry 1 | Acids, Bases and Buffers |
| Antioxidants | |
| Gastrointestinal Agents | |
| Topical Agents | |
| Dental Products | |
| Definition, History, and Scope | |
| Pharmaceutical Aids | |
| Various systems of Classification of Drugs and Natural Origin | |
| Adulteration and drug evaluation | |
| Biochemistry Clinical Pathology | Introduction to Biochemistry |
| Carbohydrates | |
| Lipids | |
| Vitamins | |
| Enzymes | |
| Therapeutics | |
| Human Anatomy Physiology | Scope of Anatomy and Physiology |
| Elementary Tissues | |
| Skeletal Systems | |
| Cardiovascular Systems | |
| Respiratory Systems | |
| Muscular Systems | |
| Health Education Community Pharmacy | Concept of Health |
| Nutrition and Health | |
| First Aid | |
| Environment and Health | |
| Fundamental Principles of Microbiology | |
| Communicable Diseases | |
| Year II | |
| Pharmaceutics 2 | Reading and Understanding Prescriptions |
| Study of Various types of Incompatibilities | |
| Posology | |
| Dispensed Medications | |
| Types of Powders | |
| Lipids and Dosage forms | |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry 2 | Introduction to Nomenclature of Organic Chemical Systems |
| Antiseptics and Disinfectants | |
| Antileprotic Drugs | |
| Antibiotics | |
| Hypnotics | |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | Introduction to Pharmacology |
| Scope of Pharmacology | |
| Drugs: Their Advantages and Disadvantages | |
| General Mechanism of Drug Action | |
| Drugs acting on the Central Nervous System | |
| Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence | Origin and Nature of Pharmaceutical Legislation in India |
| Principles and Significance of Professional Ethics | |
| Pharmacy Act, 1948 | |
| The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 | |
| The Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954 | |
| Drug Store Business Management | Introduction |
| Drug House Management | |
| Sales | |
| Recruitment and Training | |
| Banking and Finance | |
| Introduction to Accounting | |
| Hospital Clinical Pharmacy | Definition, Function, and Classification of Hospitals |
| Hospital Pharmacy | |
| The Drug Distribution System in the Hospital | |
| Manufacturing | |
| Drug Information Service | |
| Introduction to Clinical Pharmacy | |
| Modern Dispensing Aspects |
Which Books Can I Refer to While Pursuing D Pharma?
Tabulated below are some of the D Pharma subject books that can help students to have a broader and better understanding of the course:
| Name of the book | Name of the Author |
|---|---|
| Pharmacognosy I and II | S.B. Gokhale, A.P. Purohit, Dr. C.K. Kokate |
| Drug Design by | Dr. V.M. Kulkarni, Dr. K.G. Bothara |
| Fundamentals of Pharmacology | Dr. K.G. Bothara, Dr. K.K. Bothara |
| Basic Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics | Dr. S.K. Naik |
What are Job Prospects and Career Options after D Pharma?
- A wide range of careers await those who have completed Diploma in Pharmacy course in both the private and public sectors.
- There are a large number of job opportunities for students in this field. Pharmacy Diploma holders are hired in many different sectors of the industry such as Health centers, pharmaceuticals firms, chemist shops, research agencies, hospitals etc.
- Fresh Diploma holders of this course can easily expect an initial salary of INR 2,00,000 to 5,00,000 per year. The salary offered is proportional to the experience earned in the field. The salary offered increases with increase in the experience in the field.
Some of the most common job profiles that a D Pharma student can opt for along with job description and salary package are mentioned in the table below:
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | Pharmacists prepare medications by reviewing and interpreting physicians’ orders and detecting therapeutic incompatibilities. They dispense medications by packaging, compounding, and labeling pharmaceuticals. They control medications by monitoring drug therapies and advising interventions. | INR 3,85,000 |
| Scientific Officer | Chief Scientific Officers oversee the scientific functions of a company including basic and applied research projects, and the development of new processes, technologies, or products. | INR 6,47,000 |
| Production Executive | Production Executives are responsible for determining the best and most efficient uses of the available resources, including equipment and labor, to meet production goals. They set budgets, determine equipment and supplies required, assign job duties, and build production schedules. | INR 3,42,000 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | Medical Transcriptionists use transcribing machines with headsets and foot pedals to listen to recordings by physicians and other healthcare professionals. They dictate a variety of medical reports that are chart reviews, emergency room visits, operations, diagnostic imaging studies, and final summaries. | INR 2,42,000 |
Source: College Websites
What are the Future Scopes of D Pharma?
The Diploma in Pharmacy program is gaining popularity nowadays and offers diverse career opportunities. This further affirms the immense popularity of the course among students. The most popular choices of education on completion of a Diploma in Pharmacy as follows.
-
B.Pharma: If one wishes to continue in the same field of education, the first program of choice is a B.Pharma. It is a three-year course and the eligibility criteria include passing Class 12 in relevant streams.
Check out the Top B.Pharma Colleges in India.
- PGD: A large number of Diploma holders choose to go for the PGD in Pharmaceutical Management course. Admissions are offered through a national level entrance test.
- Competitive examinations: Another route that Diploma holders can go for is to prepare for competitive examinations. Examinations that are meant for job opportunities in Government sector organizations are most popular. Jobs in this sector are secure with assured high pay and regular increments.
Diploma in Pharmacy FAQs
Some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to Diploma in Pharmacy program are as follows:
Ques. What is a Diploma in Pharmacy?
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for getting admission to D Pharma course?
Ques. How is D Pharma different from B Pharma?
Ques. What is the difference between D Pharm and Pharm D?
Ques. Is D Pharm worth doing?
Ques. What is the course fee of D Pharma in Indian Universities/ Colleges?
Ques. What is the admission procedure for D Pharma aspirants?
Ques. What is the salary of a Diploma holder in Pharmacy?
Ques. I am a student of the Arts stream. Can I do D Pharma?
Ques. I have passed secondary school in 2019. Am I eligible for D Pharma?
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