UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment: Great News for Pharmacy Graduates! The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued the UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026 Notification in the form of Advertisement No. 07/2026. Recruitment to the post of 186 Drug Inspectors in Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Department of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Candidates having a degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Medicine and fulfilling other eligibility conditions may apply online through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal within the stipulated period.
UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Recruiting Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Department | Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) |
| Advertisement No. | 07/2026 |
| Post Name | Drug Inspector |
| Total Vacancies | 186 |
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Pay Level | Level-8 in the Pay Matrix (7th CPC) |
| Application Mode | Online |
UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR | 55 |
| EWS | 41 |
| OBC | 39 |
| SC | 35 |
| ST | 16 |
| Total | 186 |
PwBD Reservation: 8 vacancies are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Essential Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences or Medicine with specialization in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology from a recognized University or Institute. |
Age Limit
| Category | Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| UR | 30 Years |
| EWS | 30 Years |
| OBC | 33 Years |
| SC | 35 Years |
| ST | 35 Years |
| PwBD | Up to 10 years age relaxation as per rules |
UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026 Salary Details
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-8 |
| Pay Matrix | As per 7th Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) |
| Job Nature | Permanent Central Government Post |
Job Responsibilities
Selected candidates will perform the following duties:
- Inspect licensed drug manufacturing establishments.
- Inspect manufacturing plants, storage facilities, and testing procedures.
- Verify technical qualifications of manufacturing staff.
- Collect drug samples for testing and laboratory analysis.
- Investigate cases related to spurious or substandard drugs.
- Initiate prosecution for violations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945.
Posting Details
| Headquarters | CDSCO Headquarters, New Delhi |
| Posting | Candidates may be posted anywhere in India |
| Service Type | General Central Service Group ‘B’, Gazetted, Non-Ministerial |
| Probation | 2 Years with mandatory induction training |
Important links:
UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment Selection Process
The selection process generally includes:
- Scrutiny of online applications.
- Shortlisting of eligible candidates by UPSC.
- Recruitment Test (if conducted by UPSC).
- Interview.
- Document Verification.
- Medical Examination (where applicable).
How to Apply for UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026
- Visit the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR), if not already registered.
- Log in using your credentials.
- Select the Drug Inspector recruitment notification.
- Fill in the online application form carefully.
- Upload the required documents, photograph, and signature.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Review the application form before final submission.
- Submit the application and save/print the confirmation page for future reference.
Important Points
- Total vacancies: 186.
- The post is permanent.
- The appointment is under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
- Selected candidates can be posted anywhere in India.
- A mandatory induction training of at least two weeks must be successfully completed during probation.
FAQs on UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment
How many vacancies are available under UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment 2026?
A total of 186 Drug Inspector vacancies have been announced.
What is the educational qualification required?
The candidate must have a Bachelors Degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences or a Degree in Medicine with a specialization in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology from a recognized university.
Is there an age restriction?
Age Limit: – Upper Age Limit: 30 Years (UR/EWS) 33 Years (OBC) 35 Years (SC/ST) Age Relaxation will be provided to the eligible PwBD candidates.
What is the salary for the Drug Inspector post?
The post is in Level-8 Pay Matrix under 7th CPC.
Where will the selected candidates be placed?
Selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India, with the headquarters at CDSCO, New Delhi.
Is experience necessary for the post of Drug Inspector?
No. The official notification mentions only the prescribed educational qualification for this post and does not ask for any prior work experience.
