When it comes to pharmaceutical education in Maharashtra, Poona College of Pharmacy (PCP), Pune holds a distinction that no other institution in the city can claim — it was the first pharmacy college to be established in the Pune metropolis. Founded in 1981 by Dr. Patanjali Kadam, the visionary behind Bharati Vidyapeeth, PCP has grown over four decades into one of India’s most credible and consistently ranked pharmacy institutions, holding a proud NIRF #34 position in Pharmacy 2025 and a NAAC A+ grade that reflects sustained academic excellence.
Table of Contents
Whether you are a Class 12 student targeting a B.Pharm seat, a pharmacy graduate planning a M.Pharm or PharmD, or a researcher pursuing a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, this comprehensive guide covers every critical detail for admission year 2026–27.
About Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune
Poona College of Pharmacy is a constituent unit of Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University (BVDU), Pune — one of Maharashtra’s most established deemed universities. The college is situated at Erandwane, Paud Road, Pune – 411038, a well-connected location in western Pune, approximately 14.2 km from Pune International Airport and just 350 metres from the Charusheela Apartment bus stop. The Ideal Colony railway station is a mere 550 metres away, making daily commuting convenient for both day scholars and outstation students.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 1981 |
| Type | Private (Constituent College) |
| Affiliation | Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University (BVDU), Pune |
| Location | Erandwane, Paud Road, Pune – 411038, Maharashtra |
| Approvals | PCI, AICTE, UGC Section 2(f) & 12(B) |
| Accreditation | NAAC A+, NBA |
| NIRF Pharmacy Ranking 2025 | #34 (Score: 56.28) |
| Principal | Dr. Atmaram P. Pawar |
| Contact | +91-020-25461046 | pcp@bharatividyapeeth.edu |
| Total Courses | 12 Courses across UG, PG & Doctoral levels |
Why Poona College of Pharmacy Stands Apart
PCP is not just Pune’s oldest pharmacy institution — it is one of its most decorated. Here is what makes it a compelling choice for pharmacy aspirants in 2026:
- Pioneer Status: The first pharmacy institute in Pune, with over 40 years of uninterrupted excellence in pharmaceutical education
- Dual Accreditation: Both NAAC A+ and NBA accredited — a combination achieved by very few pharmacy colleges in Maharashtra
- UGC Departmental Research Scheme (DRS): PCP is one of few pharmacy colleges in India where research infrastructure is funded under the UGC’s prestigious Special Assistance Programme (SAP), specifically the Departmental Research Scheme (DRS)
- 90%+ Employment Rate: More than 90% of PCP graduates find employment within the first three months after results, with the remaining 10% placed within six months
- Active Industry MoUs: Research and technology transfer agreements with Indian Immunologicals Ltd., Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Dynamis Therapeutics Ltd. (USA), FF Corporation (Japan), and more
Courses Offered at Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune
PCP offers a focused, pharmacy-exclusive curriculum at three levels — undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral — covering all major specialisations recognised by the Pharmacy Council of India.
Undergraduate Programmes
B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) — 4 Years The flagship UG programme covering core pharmaceutical disciplines including Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy, Clinical Pharmacy, and Therapeutic Management. Admission is based on the BV-PHARMUG entrance exam conducted by Bharati Vidyapeeth University and the MAH-CET state counselling process.
D.Pharm (Diploma in Pharmacy) — 2 Years A diploma-level entry point into the pharmacy profession, with admission based purely on Class 12 merit — no entrance examination required for D.Pharm at PCP, Pune.
B.Pharm (Lateral Entry) — 3 Years Available for D.Pharm holders seeking to complete their degree; total course fee is approximately ₹4.73 Lakhs.
PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) — 6 Years A clinically oriented programme preparing students for patient-centric pharmaceutical roles, hospital pharmacy, and drug therapy management. Total course fee: ₹12.17 Lakhs.
PharmD PB (Post Baccalaureate) — 3 Years Designed for B.Pharm graduates seeking a lateral entry into clinical pharmacy practice. Total course fee: ₹6.09 Lakhs. Admission requires a minimum of 50% in B.Pharm and a valid BV-PHARMPG score.
Postgraduate Programmes — M.Pharm (2 Years)
PCP offers M.Pharm in 8 specialisations with a total intake of 110 PG seats, making it one of the largest postgraduate pharmacy programme offerings in Pune:
- Pharmaceutics (15 seats)
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry (15 seats)
- Pharmacology (15 seats)
- Pharmacognosy (15 seats)
- Quality Assurance Techniques (15 seats)
- Drug Regulatory Affairs (15 seats)
- Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (15 seats)
- Industrial Pharmacy / Pharmacy Practice (10 seats)
M.Pharm fellowship benefit: Students with a minimum of 60% in B.Pharm who have qualified GATE are awarded a fellowship of ₹5,000 per month during their M.Pharm studies.
Doctoral Programme
Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences Research-intensive doctoral programme across all specialisations. Admission requires a postgraduate degree with minimum 50% marks and a qualifying BV-PHARMPG score. PhD candidates who qualify NET are also eligible for monthly fellowship support.
Poona College of Pharmacy Fee Structure 2026
Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune’s fees range from ₹2.84 Lakhs to ₹17.35 Lakhs across all offered courses. Here is a programme-wise breakdown:
| Programme | Total Course Fee (Approx.) | Annual Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| B.Pharm (4 Years) | ₹6.30 Lakhs | ₹1.57 Lakhs |
| B.Pharm Lateral Entry (3 Years) | ₹4.73 Lakhs | ₹1.57 Lakhs |
| D.Pharm (2 Years) | ₹2.84 Lakhs | ₹1.42 Lakhs |
| PharmD (6 Years) | ₹12.17 Lakhs | ₹2.02 Lakhs |
| PharmD PB (3 Years) | ₹6.09 Lakhs | ₹2.03 Lakhs |
| M.Pharm (2 Years) | ₹4.36–4.71 Lakhs | ₹2.18–2.35 Lakhs |
Note: Fees are subject to annual revision. Hostel, examination, and miscellaneous fees are charged separately. Always confirm current figures at the official BVDU admissions portal.
Admission Process 2026: Step-by-Step
Eligibility Criteria
For B.Pharm: Candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Mathematics, securing a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the relevant subjects.
For M.Pharm: B.Pharm degree with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC) from a PCI-approved institution. A valid GPAT or BV-PHARMPG score is mandatory.
For PharmD: 10+2 with PCB and minimum 50% marks. For PharmD PB, a B.Pharm degree with at least 50% marks is required.
For Ph.D.: Postgraduate degree with a minimum of 50% marks along with a qualifying BV-PHARMPG entrance test score.
Application Steps
- Register Online — Visit the official Bharati Vidyapeeth University portal and create your applicant profile
- Fill Application Form — Complete personal, academic, and course preference details
- Pay Application Fee — Pay through the secure online gateway
- Appear for Entrance Exam — Sit for the BV-PHARMUG (UG) or BV-PHARMPG (PG/PhD) exam; GPAT scores are also accepted for M.Pharm
- Check Merit List — BVDU releases a provisional merit list on the official portal
- Document Verification — Report to the college for physical verification of originals
- Pay Course Fee & Confirm Seat — Complete fee payment to lock in your admission
Key 2026 Admission Dates
| Programme | Application Last Date | CET Dates |
|---|---|---|
| UG Programmes (B.Pharm etc.) | May 15 – July 17, 2026 | June 13 – August 2, 2026 |
| PG Programmes (M.Pharm etc.) | February 8 – August 7, 2026 | February 15 – August 10, 2026 |
| M.Pharm Final Application Deadline | July 20, 2026 | — |
Rankings & Accreditations
PCP’s consistent presence in national rankings across multiple years confirms its institutional quality and credibility:
- NIRF 2025: Ranked #34 in Pharmacy nationally (score: 56.28) — climbing 1 position from 2024; outperforms 21 public/government colleges that were also ranked
- NIRF 2020: Previously ranked #22 in Pharmacy, reflecting a strong historical ranking trajectory
- NAAC: Accredited with A+ Grade — among the highest accreditation tiers for a pharmacy college in Maharashtra
- NBA: Programme-level accreditation by the National Board of Accreditation
- PCI & AICTE Approved: Full statutory recognition for all programmes
- UGC: Recognised under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) — enabling central government scholarship eligibility for students
Placements at Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune
During the 2024 placement drive, 68 students were placed from UG 4-year courses and 92 students from PG 2-year courses, with a median UG salary of ₹4 Lakh and a median PG salary of ₹4.50 Lakh.
Key Placement Highlights:
- Median UG Package: ₹3.60–4.00 LPA
- Median PG Package: ₹4.10–4.50 LPA
- M.Pharm Placement Rate: Approximately 88% of M.Pharm students placed (as per NIRF 2024 report)
- 90%+ Overall Employment Rate within three months of results
- Largest Alumni Sector: Research (21%), followed by Quality Assurance, Sales, and Legal
Top Recruiters Include: Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Lupin Biotech, Enzene Biosciences, Indegene Pvt. Ltd., Biocon Biologics, TCS, Cognizant, Healthosphere, and Abbott. International companies including Dynamis Therapeutics Ltd. (USA) also hire from PCP through existing research collaboration channels.
The Training and Placement Cell at PCP actively trains students in employability skills, mock interviews, and group discussions to enhance readiness for both campus placements and off-campus opportunities.
Research, Industry Collaborations & MoUs
Poona College of Pharmacy’s research ecosystem is one of its strongest differentiators. Backed by UGC’s Departmental Research Scheme (DRS) funding, the college pursues active pharmaceutical research with a network of domestic and international partners:
- Indian Immunologicals Ltd., Hyderabad — MoU for formulation development
- Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Pune — Pharmacological and toxicological evaluation projects
- Dynamis Therapeutics Ltd., USA — Drug research collaborations
- FF Corporation, Japan — Technology transfer agreements for formulation development
- Indian Institute of Integrated Medicine, Jammu — MoU for herbal drug research
- Biovet Ltd., Bangalore and Advanced Biochemicals — Industry research partnerships
Campus Infrastructure & Facilities
Library: The central library at PCP houses 21,743 books, 13 print journals, 7,636 e-journals, and 76,909 e-books — a comprehensive resource base for pharmacy research and academics.
Laboratories: Fully equipped pharmaceutical labs for formulation science, drug analysis, pharmacological screening, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and quality assurance. Research labs are funded under the UGC-SAP DRS scheme, ensuring equipment and resource quality above the standard private college level.
Hostel Facilities: Separate on-campus hostels for boys and girls with all basic amenities. Hostel allocation is subject to availability, and students are encouraged to apply early.
Industry Exposure: Regular industrial tours are organised by the college, giving students first-hand exposure to pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality control, and regulatory environments — a feature consistently highlighted in student reviews.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
PCP offers multiple scholarship pathways for both UG and PG students:
- Government Scholarships: EBC (Economically Backward Class), OBC, SC/ST, and minority scholarships applicable due to UGC Section 2(f) & 12(B) recognition
- GATE/NET Fellowship for M.Pharm & Ph.D.: Monthly stipend of ₹5,000 for students qualifying GATE (M.Pharm) and NET (Ph.D.) with minimum 60% in B.Pharm
- Endowments, Medals & Prizes: Awarded to meritorious students at university convocations for outstanding academic performance
- Merit-Based Awards: Institution-level recognition for top academic performers each academic year
Final Verdict
Poona College of Pharmacy (PCP), Pune is a pharmacy institution that combines historical significance, research depth, and consistent national recognition into one compelling academic package. As Pune’s first and oldest pharmacy college, its NIRF top-35 standing, NAAC A+ and NBA dual accreditation, active industry MoUs, and a placement cell that delivers 90%+ employment collectively make it one of Maharashtra’s most trusted pharmacy institutions for 2026–27.
With admissions currently open for both UG and PG programmes, now is the right time to register on the BVDU portal and book your slot in the BV-PHARMUG or BV-PHARMPG entrance exam.
Apply Online: bharatividyapeeth.edu Address: Erandwane, Paud Road, Pune – 411038, Maharashtra Contact: +91-020-25461046 | pcp@bharatividyapeeth.edu
