D.Pharm
Diploma in Pharmacy
D.Pharm Syllabus 2026
The Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) syllabus covers a structured programme spanning 2 Years designed to build both foundational knowledge and specialised expertise. The curriculum varies by specialisation, with 2 specialisations available including Community Pharmacy, Hospital Pharmacy. Below is the detailed semester-wise subject breakdown and programme structure.
D.Pharm Semester-wise Subjects
D.Pharm Syllabus & Subjects
The D.Pharm syllabus is prescribed by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) under the Education Regulations 1991 (amended). The 2-year programme follows an annual examination pattern in most states, with each year covering distinct theory papers and practical sessions. The curriculum is designed to produce competent pharmacists capable of dispensing medicines, compounding formulations, managing drug stores, and understanding basic pharmacology and pharmaceutical chemistry. After completing both years, students undergo a 3-month mandatory hospital/community pharmacy training before receiving the diploma.
First Year Subjects
Second Year Subjects
Subject-wise Syllabus Details
| Subject | Key Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutics-I | Introduction to dosage forms, posology, prescription reading, powders, liquid dosage forms (solutions, suspensions, emulsions), suppositories, dispensing pharmacy, weights and measures, pharmaceutical calculations |
| Pharmaceutics-II | Tablet manufacturing, capsules, parenteral preparations, surgical dressings, ophthalmic preparations, cosmetics, packaging of pharmaceuticals, quality control tests, GMP basics |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I | Inorganic pharmaceutical chemistry, acids/bases/buffers, monographs of official compounds, gastrointestinal agents, topical agents, dental products, limit tests for impurities |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry-II | Organic pharmaceutical chemistry, classification of organic compounds, antiseptics and disinfectants, sulfonamides, antibiotics, analgesics, antipyretics, anti-malarials, vitamins and hormones |
| Pharmacognosy | Study of crude drugs from natural sources (plant, animal, mineral), cultivation and collection, drug adulteration, evaluation methods, morphology and microscopy of important drugs, phytochemistry basics |
| Pharmacology & Toxicology | General pharmacology, drug action mechanisms, autonomic nervous system drugs, cardiovascular drugs, central nervous system drugs, chemotherapy, toxicology principles, antidotes, drug interactions |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology | Skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, excretory, and endocrine systems; sense organs; blood and its components; elementary first aid |
| Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology | Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, enzymes, vitamins, metabolism, urine analysis, blood sugar estimation, liver function tests, renal function tests |
Practical Components
| Practical Subject | Activities |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutics Practical | Preparation of solutions, syrups, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, ointments, creams, suppositories, tablets (wet granulation), capsule filling, and quality control tests on prepared dosage forms |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry Practical | Identification of inorganic compounds (limit tests), synthesis of simple organic compounds (aspirin, paracetamol), assay of pharmaceutical substances, testing for purity and quality |
| Pharmacognosy Practical | Morphological and microscopical study of crude drugs, powder drug analysis, chemical tests for identification, chromatographic techniques (TLC), detection of adulterants |
| Pharmacology Practical | Study of prescription writing, drug dosage calculations, identification of drug samples, study of drug interactions from case studies, interpretation of pharmacological charts and graphs |
| Biochemistry Practical | Qualitative analysis of urine (normal and abnormal constituents), blood sugar estimation, serum cholesterol estimation, identification of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids |
D.Pharm Programme Structure & Credit Distribution
D.Pharm Year-wise Curriculum
The D.Pharm programme spans 2 academic years followed by a mandatory 3-month practical training in a hospital or community pharmacy. Most states follow the annual examination pattern prescribed by PCI. Each year has theory papers (typically 80 marks each) and practical examinations (typically 40-80 marks each). The curriculum progressively builds from foundational pharmaceutical sciences in Year 1 to applied pharmacy practice and business management in Year 2. Students must pass all subjects in each year to proceed to the next.
First Year Curriculum
| Subject | Theory Marks | Practical Marks | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutics-I | 80 | 40 | 120 |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry-I | 80 | 40 | 120 |
| Pharmacognosy | 80 | 40 | 120 |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology | 80 | 40 | 120 |
| Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology | 80 | 40 | 120 |
| Health Education & Community Pharmacy | 80 | - | 80 |
| Total (Year 1) | 480 | 200 | 680 |
Second Year Curriculum
| Subject | Theory Marks | Practical Marks | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutics-II | 80 | 40 | 120 |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry-II | 80 | 40 | 120 |
| Pharmacology & Toxicology | 80 | 40 | 120 |
| Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence | 80 | - | 80 |
| Drug Store & Business Management | 80 | - | 80 |
| Hospital & Clinical Pharmacy | 80 | 80 | 160 |
| Total (Year 2) | 480 | 200 | 680 |
Mandatory Hospital/Community Pharmacy Training
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 months (not less than 500 hours), completed after passing 2nd year exams |
| Location | Government hospital pharmacy, approved community pharmacy, or pharmaceutical manufacturing unit |
| Activities | Dispensing prescriptions, stock maintenance, drug inventory management, patient counselling basics, understanding hospital pharmacy operations, regulatory compliance observation |
| Certification | Training completion certificate issued by the supervising pharmacist is mandatory for State Pharmacy Council registration |
Assessment Pattern
Theory Examination
Written exams of 3 hours duration for each theory paper (80 marks). Conducted annually by the affiliated university or Board of Technical Education. Passing minimum: 40% in each paper separately. Includes long-answer questions, short-answer questions, and objective-type questions.
Practical Examination
Practical exams include laboratory experiments, identification of drugs/chemicals, preparation of dosage forms, viva voce, and evaluation of practical record books. Typically 40-80 marks per practical paper. External examiners from other PCI-approved colleges conduct the practicals alongside internal examiners.
Skills Developed in D.Pharm
Skills Developed in D.Pharm
Pharmaceutical & Technical Skills
Dispensing & Prescription Reading
Reading and interpreting prescriptions written by physicians, understanding Latin abbreviations (b.d., t.d.s., q.i.d., p.r.n.), calculating correct doses based on age, weight, and condition, selecting appropriate formulations, labelling dispensed medicines correctly, and counselling patients on dosage and administration.
Drug Formulation & Compounding
Preparing pharmaceutical dosage forms - solutions, suspensions, emulsions, ointments, creams, tablets, capsules, and suppositories. Understanding excipients, preservatives, flavouring agents, and colouring agents. Quality control testing of prepared formulations for uniformity, dissolution, and stability.
Drug Identification & Analysis
Identifying drugs by their physical and chemical properties, performing limit tests for impurities, conducting assays for drug content, using pharmacopeial methods (Indian Pharmacopoeia) for quality testing, and detecting adulteration in crude drugs and formulations.
Inventory & Drug Store Management
Managing pharmaceutical inventory using FIFO (First In First Out) method, maintaining stock registers, ordering and receiving drug consignments, checking expiry dates, proper storage of drugs (cold chain for vaccines, schedule H/H1 drugs separately), and computerised billing systems.
Clinical & Patient Care Skills
Patient Counselling
Advising patients on proper medicine usage - timing, food interactions, storage conditions, possible side effects, and when to consult a doctor. Explaining the difference between branded and generic drugs. Counselling on OTC (Over-The-Counter) medications for common ailments like cold, fever, acidity, and minor pain.
Pharmacology Knowledge
Understanding drug actions, mechanisms, therapeutic uses, side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions for commonly prescribed medicines. Knowledge of drug schedules (Schedule G, H, H1, X), controlled substances regulations, and adverse drug reaction reporting.
Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence
Understanding the Pharmacy Act 1948, Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), and the regulatory framework governing drug manufacturing, sale, distribution, and advertising in India.
First Aid & Health Awareness
Basic first aid administration, understanding common diseases and their management, health education and awareness promotion in the community, hygiene and sanitation knowledge, and familiarity with national health programmes (immunization, tuberculosis control, malaria control).
Core Competency Areas
D.Pharm Specialisations
The syllabus and curriculum differ by specialisation. Explore all 2 available specialisations: