The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released Advertisement No. 07/2026 for the recruitment of 186 Drug Inspector posts in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. This is a prestigious opportunity for Pharmacy and Medical graduates to join India's national drug regulatory authority as Group 'B' Gazetted officers.
The online application process commenced on 27 June 2026 and will close on 17 July 2026 at 6:00 PM. Eligible candidates must apply through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal.
Selected candidates will be appointed under Pay Level-8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) with attractive Central Government allowances. The selection process includes shortlisting, Recruitment Test (if conducted), Personal Interview, Document Verification, and Medical Examination. Read below for complete details including category-wise vacancy breakdown, eligibility, exam pattern, and step-by-step application instructions.
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Number | 07/2026 |
| Post Name | Drug Inspector |
| Department | Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare |
| Total Vacancies | 186 |
| Post Type | Group 'B' Gazetted (Non-Ministerial) |
| Application Mode | Online only – UPSC ORA Portal |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 25 June 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 27 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 17 July 2026 (6:00 PM / 1800 Hrs) |
| Eligibility Determination Date | 17 July 2026 (closing date) |
| Recruitment Test / Interview Date | To be intimated separately by UPSC |
| Admit Card | Will be intimated |
| Result Date | Will be updated here |
The last date for submission of the online application is 17 July 2026 at 6:00 PM. Candidates are advised to apply well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹ 25/- |
| SC / ST Candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
| Female Candidates (All Categories) | Nil (Exempted) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | Nil (Exempted) |
Payment modes: Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI. The application fee is non-refundable. SC, ST, women, and PwBD candidates are fully exempted from payment.
The maximum age limit for the Drug Inspector post is 30 years for General and EWS candidates. Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules:
| Category | Maximum Age | Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 30 years | – |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 33 years | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 35 years | 5 years |
| PwBD (UR) | 40 years | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 43 years | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 45 years | 15 years |
| Central Government Servants (UR) | 35 years | 5 years |
| Central Government Servants (OBC) | 38 years | 8 years |
| Central Government Servants (SC/ST) | 40 years | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per rules | 5 years |
The maximum age for PwBD candidates after all relaxations is 56 years. The age calculation date is the closing date of the application i.e., 17 July 2026.
UPSC has announced a total of 186 vacancies for the Drug Inspector post, distributed across various categories as follows:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 55 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) | 41 |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | 39 |
| SC (Scheduled Castes) | 35 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribes) | 16 |
| Total | 186 |
Additional Details:
Educational Qualification:
Experience:
Nationality:
Selected candidates will be appointed under Pay Level-8 of the 7th Central Pay Commission:
| Pay Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-8 (7th CPC) |
| Pay Scale | ₹ 47,600 – ₹ 1,51,100 |
| Approximate In-Hand Salary | ₹ 70,000 – ₹ 85,000 per month (depending on place of posting and applicable allowances) |
Additional Benefits:
Probation Period: The probation period is two years, which includes mandatory induction training of at least two weeks.
The selection process consists of the following stages:
Stage 1: Shortlisting of Applications
Stage 2: Recruitment Test (RT) – If Conducted
Stage 3: Personal Interview / Personality Test
Stage 4: Document Verification
Stage 5: Medical Examination
Follow these step-by-step instructions to successfully submit your online application:
Step 1: Visit the Official UPSC ORA Portal
Step 2: Complete One-Time Registration (OTR)
Step 3: Log In and Fill the Application Form
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
Step 5: Pay the Application Fee (if applicable)
Step 6: Review and Submit
Ans: A total of 186 vacancies have been announced for the Drug Inspector post under CDSCO, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Ans: The last date to submit the online application is 17 July 2026 at 6:00 PM.
Ans: General / OBC / EWS (Male): ₹25/- | SC / ST / Women / PwBD: Nil (Exempted).
Ans: General / EWS: Maximum 30 years | OBC: Maximum 33 years | SC / ST: Maximum 35 years. Relaxation available for reserved categories.
Ans: Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharm), Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a Degree in Medicine (MBBS) with specialization in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology.
Ans: No, there is no prior work experience requirement mentioned in the notification. Freshers meeting the educational and age criteria are eligible to apply.
Ans: The post is at Pay Level-8 with a pay scale of ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100. The approximate in-hand salary is ₹70,000 – ₹85,000 per month, depending on allowances and place of posting.
Ans: The selection process includes shortlisting of applications, a Recruitment Test (if conducted), a personal interview, document verification, and medical examination.
Ans: No, applications are accepted only online through the UPSC ORA portal at upsconline.nic.in/ora/.
Ans: Selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India as per organisational requirements, with headquarters at CDSCO, New Delhi.
Ans: The probation period is two years, which includes mandatory induction training of at least two weeks.
Ans: No, the Recruitment Test may or may not be conducted depending on the number of applications received. UPSC will decide this after the application window closes.