Pharmacy Entrance Exam Dates India 2026
- roshaninandewarcs
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
Introduction
Planning a career in pharmacy starts with knowing which entrance exams to appear for and when. Every year, thousands of students aim for B.Pharm, D.Pharm, and Pharm .D admissions, but many miss opportunities simply due to a lack of clarity about exam dates and timelines.
This blog provides a complete, state-wise and national-level list of pharmacy entrance exams in India for 2026, including expected exam months, application periods, and admission routes. Whether you are a PCB or PCM student, this guide will help you plan smartly for Pharmacy Admissions 2026.
Pharmacy Entrance Exam Dates India 2026
National-Level Pharmacy Entrance Exams 2026
1. CUET-UG 2026 (For B .Pharm in Central & Private Universities)
Conducting Body: NTA
Courses: B. Pharm
Application Start: February 2026
Exam Date: May – June 2026
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Accepted by many central, deemed & private universities
2. GPAT 2026 (For M. Pharm – Not UG)
Conducting Body: NTA
Courses: M .Pharm
Application Start: January 2026
Exam Date: March – April 2026
Not applicable for B. Pharm/D .Pharm, but important for pharmacy graduates.
State-Wise Pharmacy Entrance Exam Dates 2026
Karnataka – KCET 2026
Courses: B. Pharm, Pharm .D
Application: January 2026
Exam Date: April 2026
Maharashtra – MHT-CET 2026
Courses: B. Pharm, Pharm .D
Application: January – February 2026
Exam Date: April – May 2026
West Bengal – WBJEE 2026
Courses: B .Pharm
Application: December 2025 – January 2026
Exam Date: April 2026
Tamil Nadu – TNEA / University Admissions
Courses: B. Pharm, D. Pharm
Admission Mode: Merit-based
Counselling: June – July 2026
Andhra Pradesh – AP EAMCET 2026
Courses: B .Pharm, Pharm. D
Application: March 2026
Exam Date: May 2026
Telangana – TS EAMCET 2026
Courses: B. Pharm, Pharm. D
Application: March 2026
Exam Date: May 2026
Himachal Pradesh – HPCET 2026
Courses: B. Pharm, D. Pharm
Application: April 2026
Exam Date: June 2026
Odisha – OJEE 2026
Courses: B. Pharm
Application: February 2026
Exam Date: May 2026
Uttar Pradesh – CUET / University Exams
Courses: B. Pharm, D. Pharm
Admission: Merit or CUET
Counselling: July – August 2026
University-Level Pharmacy Entrance Exams 2026
University | Course | Exam Month |
Manipal University | B. Pharm | April 2026 |
Jamia Hamdard | B. Pharm | May 2026 |
BITS Pilani | B. Pharm | May – June 2026 |
Private Deemed Universities | B. Pharm | April – June 2026 |
D .Pharm Admission Dates 2026 (Most States)
Entrance Exam: Not required (mostly)
Admission Mode: Merit-based
Application Period: June – July 2026
Counselling: July – August 2026
Pharm. D Entrance Exam Dates 2026
Mode | Expected Period |
NEET (Some colleges) | May 2026 |
University Exams | April – June 2026 |
Merit-Based | June – July 2026 |
Important Preparation Timeline (2026 Aspirants)
Nov–Dec 2025: Shortlist exams & colleges
Jan–Feb 2026: Applications open
Mar–Apr 2026: Intensive revision
Apr–May 2026: Major exams
Jun–Aug 2026: Counselling & admission
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is NEET required for pharmacy entrance exams in 2026?
No, NEET is not required for B. Pharm or D. Pharm.
Q2. Which is the best pharmacy entrance exam in India?
MHT-CET, KCET, WBJEE & CUET-UG are top exams.
Q3. Can I get B .Pharm admission without any entrance exam?
Yes, many private & deemed universities offer merit-based admission.
Q4. When does pharmacy counselling start in 2026?
Mostly between June and August 2026.
Conclusion
Pharmacy admissions in India for 2026 offer multiple entry routes, from state CETs and CUET-UG to merit-based admissions. Knowing the expected entrance exam dates in advance gives you a strong advantage in preparation and college selection.
If you aim for B. Pharm, D .Pharm, or Pharm. D, start planning by December 2025, track official notifications, and keep backup options ready. Pharmacy remains one of the most flexible and high-growth healthcare careers in India.
Helpful YouTube Videos for Pharmacy Entrance Exam Dates India 2026
Ideal Ranks for Top B.Pharma Colleges – A quick guide on what ranks you should aim for in exams like NEET or state CETs to get into premier institutes.
Clearing Doubts About B.Pharma Admissions – Perfect for high school students deciding between various entrance paths.
B.Pharma vs. MBBS Fee & Admission Comparison – Useful if you are comparing different medical entrance paths and their respective costs.
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