Purpose

Conducting Authority

The GPAT is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on behalf of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). Until 2018, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) managed the examination under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. From 2019 to 2023, the National Testing Agency (NTA) took over the administration. Following a Supreme Court ruling in March 2020, which mandated that pharmacy education be governed by the Pharmacy Act of 1948 rather than the AICTE Act, the PCI assumed responsibility for GPAT. Since 2024, the PCI has partnered with NBEMS through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to oversee the examination, ensuring its alignment with pharmacy education standards. NBEMS is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, known for conducting transparent and standardized tests for medical and allied sciences.

Eligibility Criteria

To appear for GPAT 2025, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria prescribed by NBEMS:

• Nationality: Candidates must be citizens of India.
• Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharm), a four-year program after 10+2, from a recognized university. This includes lateral entry candidates who have joined the B.Pharm program directly in the second year.
• Final Year Students: Candidates in the final year of their B.Pharm program, whose results will be declared before the commencement of M.Pharm admissions for the 2025-26 academic year, are also eligible to apply.
• Ineligibility: Candidates with a B.Tech in Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemical Technology or equivalent degrees are not eligible.
• Age Limit: There is no age restriction for appearing in GPAT.
• Number of Attempts: There is no limit on the number of times a candidate can attempt the GPAT, provided they meet the eligibility criteria each time.

Exam Schedule

The GPAT 2025 exam was conducted on May 25, 2025, in a single session as a computer-based test (CBT). Key dates related to the examination include:

• Application Process Start: April 1, 2025
• Application Process End: April 21, 2025 (11:55 PM)
• Admit Card Release: May 21, 2025
• Exam Date: May 25, 2025
• Provisional Answer Key Release: May 29, 2025
• Objection Window for Answer Key: May 29 to June 1, 2025
• Result Declaration: June 25, 2025
• Counselling Process: Conducted by individual institutes post-result, with schedules varying by institution.
  Candidates are advised to check the official NBEMS website (natboard.edu.in) for any updates or changes to the schedule. The exam is typically held annually, and the 2026 schedule is expected to be announced in early 2026.

Application Process

The GPAT 2025 application process is conducted online through the official NBEMS website (natboard.edu.in). The steps are as follows:

1. Registration: Visit the official website and click on the “New Registration” link. Provide personal details such as name, date of birth, nationality, mobile number, and email address to receive a unique User ID and Password. These credentials are sent to the registered email and mobile number.
2. Filling the Application Form: Log in using the User ID and Password to complete the application form. Enter personal, academic, and contact details, including information about the qualifying examination (B.Pharm).
3. Uploading Documents: Upload scanned copies of a recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format (as specified in the information bulletin).
4. Choosing Exam Centers: Select four preferred exam cities in order of preference. The final exam center is allocated by NBEMS and mentioned on the admit card.
5. Payment of Application Fee: Pay the application fee online using debit/credit cards, net banking, or UPI.
6. Application Correction Window: NBEMS provides a one-time correction window to edit certain details (except name, nationality, email, mobile number, and test city) after successful payment.
7. Downloading Admit Card: Download the admit card from May 21, 2025, using login credentials. Candidates must carry a printout of the admit card and a valid photo ID to the exam center.
   Candidates are advised not to use mobile devices to fill out the form and to use compatible browsers like Edge Chromium, Mozilla Firefox (version 77-94), or Google Chrome (version 73-96).

Application Fee

The application fee for GPAT 2025 varies by category and must be paid online:

• General/OBC/EWS: INR 3,500
• SC/ST/PwD/Transgender: INR 2,500
  The fee is non-refundable, except in cases where a candidate’s objection to the provisional answer key is deemed valid, in which case the INR 200 per question challenge fee is refunded. Candidates should ensure payment is completed before the application deadline to avoid rejection.

Exam Pattern

The GPAT 2025 exam follows a structured format designed to assess candidates’ knowledge comprehensively:

• Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT), conducted online.
• Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes).
• Language: English only.
• Number of Questions: 125 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), with each question offering four response options.
• Total Marks: 500 marks.
• Marking Scheme:
  • +4 marks for each correct answer.
  • -1 mark for each incorrect answer (25% negative marking).
  • 0 marks for unattempted questions.
• Sectional Structure: The question paper is divided into five time-bound sections, each containing 25 questions and allotted 36 minutes. Candidates cannot move to the next section until the time for the current section is over. The sections cover:
  • Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Allied Subjects
  • Pharmaceutics & Allied Subjects
  • Pharmacognosy & Allied Subjects
  • Pharmacology & Allied Subjects
  • Other subjects of the B.Pharm course
    This sectional time-bound format was introduced in 2025 to enhance exam security and fairness following incidents like the NEET 2025 paper leak. The exam is conducted in two shifts (morning and afternoon) across 176 test centers in 113 cities in India.

Syllabus

The GPAT 2025 syllabus is based on the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) curriculum as prescribed by the Pharmacy Council of India. It covers 19 subjects, with key areas including:

• Pharmaceutical Chemistry: Medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry (e.g., composition and physical states of matter, thermodynamics, refractive index, colligative properties, electrochemistry, ionic equilibrium, kinetics).
• Pharmaceutics: Drug delivery systems, formulation, manufacturing, and packaging of pharmaceutical products.
• Pharmacology: Drug action, therapeutic uses, and adverse effects of drugs.
• Pharmacognosy: Study of natural drugs, their sources, and properties.
• Other Subjects: Pharmaceutical analysis, biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical engineering, pharmaceutical management, and clinical pharmacy.
  The detailed syllabus is available in the official GPAT 2025 information bulletin on the NBEMS website (natboard.edu.in). Candidates should prioritize topics based on their weightage in previous exams and focus on core B.Pharm subjects to maximize scores.

Preparation Tips

Preparing for GPAT 2025 requires a disciplined and strategic approach. Here are some effective tips:

1. Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Thoroughly review the GPAT syllabus and exam pattern to prioritize high-weightage topics and understand the sectional time limits. Familiarize yourself with the CBT format by practicing on mock test platforms.
2. Create a Study Plan: Develop a comprehensive study schedule that allocates time for each subject, regular revisions, and practice sessions. Stick to a daily routine to cover the entire syllabus systematically.
3. Use Quality Study Materials: Refer to recommended books such as:
   • The Pearson Guide to GPAT & Other Entrance Exams in Pharmacy by Akaberi Shah Baser
   • GPAT Cracker by Dr. Sanjar Alam and others
   • Pharmacology by Rang and Dale
   • Pharmaceutical Chemistry by Ashutosh Kar
   • Synopsis for GPAT by Dr. Surendra H. Bodakhe et al.
     Additionally, use GPAT-specific guides, online resources, and previous years’ question papers.
4. Practice Mock Tests and Previous Papers: Regularly solve mock tests and past GPAT question papers to improve time management, identify weak areas, and get accustomed to the exam’s difficulty level. Analyze your performance to focus on improvement.
5. Focus on Conceptual Clarity: Build a strong foundation in core subjects like pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, and pharmacology. Make short notes for quick revision of key concepts, formulas, and drug classifications.
6. Time Management: Practice solving 25 questions within 36 minutes to adapt to the time-bound sectional format. Avoid spending too much time on difficult questions during the exam.
7. Stay Healthy and Manage Stress: Maintain a balanced diet, get 7-8 hours of sleep daily, and take short breaks during study sessions. Practice relaxation techniques like meditation to stay focused and motivated.
8. Join Coaching or Study Groups (Optional): Coaching institutes provide structured guidance and mock tests, but self-study with discipline is equally effective if you have access to good resources. Peer discussions can help clarify doubts.
9. Track Official Updates: Regularly check the NBEMS website for notifications, answer keys, and results. Use the objection window to challenge provisional answer keys if necessary.
10. Revise Regularly: Dedicate the last few weeks before the exam to revising key topics and formulas. Avoid learning new topics close to the exam date to focus on strengthening your preparation.
    By combining these strategies with consistency and dedication, candidates can improve their chances of achieving a high GPAT score and securing admission to top M.Pharm programs.

  GPAT, Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test, M.Pharm