A career in pharmacy is still a popular choice for people who want to work in the medical industry. Prominent establishments with outstanding pharmacy programs, such as Jamia Hamdard and JSS College of Pharmacy, can be found in India.
Every year, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) assesses these universities by considering factors like graduate results, research output, and the quality of instruction. According to the NIRF Rankings 2024, we have listed the best pharmacy schools in India below, along with information about their entrance exams, placement histories, and other factors.
Here are some of the best pharmacy colleges in India.
India boasts more than 4,000 pharmacy colleges, with over 1,900 being private institutions, more than 280 government-owned, and around 70 semi-government colleges.
1. Jamia Hamdard
Jamia Hamdard, a prestigious higher education institution situated in New Delhi, India, established in 1989, is recognized as a government-funded university. The former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, inaugurated it. In 2019, the Ministry of Human Resource Development awarded it the esteemed Institute of Eminence status.
The origins of Jamia Hamdard date back to 1906 when Hakeem Hafiz Abdul Majeed, a prominent Unani medicine practitioner of his time, established a small clinic. With a visionary goal, Hakeem Abdul Majeed aimed to advance Unani medicine into a scientific discipline to improve its efficacy and provide more reliable treatments for patients.
In the NIRF pharmacy category, the institution achieved second place in 2023 and secured the first position in both 2022 and 2021.
ALSO READ: How to Choose the Best Pharma College for Your Future Career
2. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Hyderabad
The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad (NIPER Hyderabad), is a public research university in India that focuses on pharmaceutical sciences. It is one of seven institutions overseen by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
NIPER Hyderabad provides postgraduate and doctoral programs in pharmaceutical sciences and receives recognition as an Institute of National Importance, playing a crucial role in developing human resources for the Indian pharmaceutical sector.
Located at the former R&D center of IDPL in Bala Nagar, Hyderabad, admissions counseling for these institutes is conducted at NIPER, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Punjab. NIPER Hyderabad has also made significant progress in medical device development through its collaboration with AMTZ in Visakhapatnam. It ranks among the top pharmacy colleges in India, securing first place in 2023, second in 2022, and sixth in 2021 in the NIRF pharmacy category.
3. Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
The Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani), a renowned private deemed university, is located in Pilani, Rajasthan, India. It is known for its strong focus on higher education and research in engineering and sciences. The Indian government awarded it the prestigious Institution of Eminence status, making it one of the first six institutions in India to receive this honor.
Founded in its current form in 1964, BITS Pilani evolved from a regional engineering college into a national university, thanks to the support of industrialist G.D. Birla.
The university has since expanded beyond its Pilani campus, establishing additional campuses in Goa, Hyderabad, and Dubai. With the establishment of its Dubai campus, BITS Pilani became the first international deemed university, enhancing research in science and engineering across its four campuses and fifteen academic departments.
In 2023, it achieved a commendable third rank, following a fifth rank in 2022 , and ranked third in the NIRF pharmacy category in 2021.
4. JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty
Jagadguru Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji founded JSS Mahavidyapeetha (JSSMVP) in 1954, and it has grown to become a prominent educational institution in India.
Under the leadership of Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, the organization has expanded its reach, operating more than 350 institutions both nationally and internationally. JSSMVP is particularly noted for its colleges in fields such as Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Law.
The institution has set up a Mahavidyapeetha in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, which comprises the JSS Academy of Technical Education (JSSATE) and a public school in Noida. In the NIRF pharmacy category, it secured the third rank in 2023, sixth in 2022, and seventh in 2021.
5. Institute of Chemical Technology
The Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) is a public deemed university located in Mumbai, India, specializing in chemical engineering, chemical technology, and pharmaceutical sciences. Established in 1933, it gained deemed university status in 2008, making it the only state-funded deemed university in India. ICT also has additional campuses in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and Jalna.
In 2018, it was recognized as a Category 1 institute with graded autonomy by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the University Grants Commission.
Furthermore, it holds special status as outlined in SECTION IV of the Empowered Expert Committee’s 2018 report. In the NIRF pharmacy category, ICT ranked fifth in 2023, seventh in 2022, and fifth in 2021.
6. JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore
Established in 1973 under the guidance of Jagadguru Sri Dr. Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamjigalavaru, the 23rd pontiff of Sri Suttur Veerasimhasana Math, JSS College of Pharmacy is renowned for its academic excellence and dedication to pharmaceutical sciences.
The college offers a diverse range of programs, including B.Pharm, Pharm.D, Pharm.D (Post Baccalaureate), M.Pharm with twelve specializations, and Ph.D. programs. It is recognized by the Government of Karnataka and has obtained approvals from the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Additionally, the college is accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). In the NIRF pharmacy category, JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore ranked seventh in 2023, eighth in 2022, and ninth in 2021.
