Supreme Court Approves New Pharmacy Council Schedule, Alters Approval and Admission Deadlines for Pharma Courses
Kiran Raj
The Supreme Court, Three Judge Bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice K. Vinod Chandran, and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar directed modification of the earlier schedule fixed in Parshavanath Charitable Trust v. AICTE, approving a revised timeline proposed by the Pharmacy Council of India for the annual approval process of pharmacy institutions. The Court accepted the new framework, commencing from the 2026–2027 academic session, with specific deadlines for inspections, approvals, counselling, and admissions, while also granting an interim extension for the 2025–2026 session.
The dispute concerned the regulatory framework for technical and professional courses, specifically pharmacy education. In 2012, the Supreme Court had prescribed a uniform time schedule for approval of institutions and admissions into professional courses under the authority of the All India Council for Technical Education. Under that framework, universities and state governments were required to grant or refuse approval by 15 May of each academic year.
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) subsequently encountered difficulties in adhering to this fixed schedule. It was compelled on multiple occasions to seek extensions from the Court. To resolve the recurring difficulties, the Central Council of the PCI convened its 119th meeting and resolved to propose a revised schedule tailored to the functioning of pharmacy institutions.
The proposed schedule aimed to align the commencement of the academic session with 1 August, with the last date for admissions set for 15 August. Provision was also made for a one-month extension period, to be invoked only in case of unforeseen circumstances, with prior notice to all stakeholders. The Council recorded technical challenges in processing approvals for new institutions, for existing institutions wishing to introduce additional courses, and for handling inspection reports within the previously fixed deadlines.
The PCI’s application included minutes of its Central Council meeting and a detailed proposed calendar, laying out dates for submission of applications, inspections, decisions by the Executive Committee, university or state approvals, counselling, and commencement of the session.
In addition to the modification request, the PCI sought interim relief for the 2025–2026 academic year, requesting extension of approval deadlines up to 30 September 2025 and compliance or appeal submissions up to 10 October 2025 for certain institutions.
The statutory provisions relevant to the matter included the All India Council for Technical Education Act, 1987, which governs technical education, and the Pharmacy Act, 1948, under which PCI exercises supervisory authority over pharmacy courses. The question before the Court was whether to permit modification of the schedule earlier prescribed, and whether interim extensions should be granted for the current session.
The Court recorded that “the Pharmacy Council of India – PCI has moved an application seeking modification in the time schedule that has been laid down by this Court in its decision in Civil Appeal No. 9048 of 2012.” It noted, “in the application, it has been stated that insofar as pharmacy courses are concerned, the last date for granting or refusing the approval by the concerned University/State Government was 15th of May of the relevant academic year.”
The Bench observed that “in the present application, it has been stated that on various occasions, the PCI was required to approach this Court with a request to extend the aforesaid timelines in view of various difficulties.” The order recorded that “in the 119th meeting of the Central Council of the PCI, it was resolved that a request be made for modifying the timeline for the annual approval process that is undertaken by the PCI.”
The Court stated, “we have heard Mr. Tushar Mehta, learned Solicitor General of India. We have also perused the application alongwith the relevant Minutes of the 119th Central Council of PCI meeting wherein the proposed modified schedule has been deliberated upon.”
The Bench further observed: “considering the various technical issues encountered by the PCI while considering the request for grant of approval either to existing institutions that intend to introduce additional courses as well as applications for starting new institutions, we are inclined to accept the request made on behalf of the Central Council of the PCI.”
It recorded, “this would ensure streamlining the entire process and would enable all stakeholders to take timely steps in the matter.” The Court then reproduced the schedule, which provided that institutions may submit documents throughout the year, with applications filed before 1 November processed for the next academic session. It also required inspection within two months of receiving documents, decisions of the Executive Committee by 30 April, appeals or compliances by 31 May, and approvals from universities or state governments by 15 June. Admissions and counselling were to be completed by 30 July, with the session commencing on 1 August and the last date of admissions being 15 August.
The Court noted, “furthermore, it was decided that a one-month extension period would be kept for the PCI. In case of unforeseen circumstances, this extension may be utilized; however, the Council will inform all stakeholders well in advance.”
The Court directed that “accordingly, the aforesaid time schedule is accepted in modification of the time schedule that was prescribed in Parshavanath Charitable Trust & Ors. (supra). The same shall be effective from Academic Session 2026–2027.”
“The Miscellaneous Application is disposed of in aforesaid terms.”
“This Miscellaneous Application is allowed in terms of prayer clause (a), which reads as under:- a) Grant extension of the date for completion of approval processes up to 30.09.2025 (qua list of colleges mentioned and marked as annexure A-7) and for compliances/appeal till 10.10.2025 to the Applicant/ Pharmacy Council of India for the academic year 2025–2026.”
Advocates Representing the Parties
For the Petitioners: Mr. Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General; Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh, Advocate-on-Record; Mr. Yatharth Singh, Advocate; Mrs. Shristi Gautam, Advocate; Mr. Divesh Kumar, Advocate.
For the Respondents: Mr. Harish Pandey, Advocate-on-Record; Mr. Devvrat Yadav, Advocate.
Case Title: Parshavanath Charitable Trust v. All India Council for Technical Education and Others
Case Number: Civil Appeal No. 9048 of 2012, with M.A. Nos. 1409/2025 and 1593/2025
Bench: Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice K. Vinod Chandran, Justice Atul S. Chandurkar
