Part A: General Aptitude, Awareness & Intelligence

This section is designed to test the candidate’s general cognitive abilities and awareness of the world around them. It covers a broad range of topics from reasoning to current events.

Topics Covered:

• Coding-Decoding: Understanding patterns in codes and decoding messages.
• Series: Non-Verbal Series, Number Series, Alphabet Series.
• Clocks & Calendars: Problems related to time and dates.
• Arithmetical Reasoning: Solving mathematical problems presented in a logical format.
• Statements & Arguments/Conclusions: Evaluating logical arguments and drawing valid conclusions.
• Directions: Problems involving directions and distances.
• Decision Making & Data Interpretation: Analyzing data and making logical decisions.
• Visual Reasoning: Embedded Figures, Mirror Images, Cubes and Dice.
• Relations: Blood Relations and Number Ranking.
• Logical Deduction: Syllogism and Analogy.

Part B: Technical Knowledge (Pharmacy Syllabus)

This is the core component of the examination, covering the comprehensive curriculum of pharmaceutical sciences. A deep understanding of these subjects is crucial for success.

1. Pharmaceutics (I & II)

• Dosage Forms: Introduction, classification, and applications of various dosage forms. New Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS).
• Pharmacopoeias: Special reference to the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP).
• Pharmaceutical Operations: Size Reduction, Size Separation, Mixing, Filtration, Drying, and Sterilization (moist heat, dry heat, radiation, filtration, gaseous).
• Dispensing Pharmacy: Prescriptions, Posology, and Incompatibilities.
• Formulations: Processing of Tablets & Capsules, Liquid Orals (Monophasic & Biphasic), Semi-Solids (Ointments, Pastes), and Sterile Dosage Forms (Parenterals, Ophthalmic preparations).
• Immunological Products: Sera, vaccines, toxoids, and their preparations.

2. Pharmaceutical Chemistry (I & II)

• Inorganic Chemistry: Study of key inorganic compounds like Acids, Bases, Buffers, GI agents (Antacids, Cathartics), Topical agents, and Dental Products. Includes limit tests for quality control.
• Organic Chemistry: Nomenclature, chemical structure, properties, and uses of drugs from major therapeutic classes, including:
  • CNS Drugs: Anesthetics, Sedatives, Hypnotics, Tranquilizers, Antidepressants.
  • ANS Drugs: Adrenergic, Cholinergic drugs and their antagonists.
  • CVS Drugs: Anti-hypertensives, Anti-anginal, Anti-arrhythmic agents.
  • Chemotherapeutic Agents: Antibiotics, Sulphonamides, Antifungal, Antiviral, Anti-tubercular, Antimalarial, and Anti-neoplastic drugs.
  • Other Classes: Analgesics, NSAIDs, Diuretics, Antihistamines, Hypoglycemic agents, and Steroids.

3. Pharmacognosy

• Introduction: Definition, history, scope, and classification of crude drugs of natural origin.
• Quality Control: Adulteration and evaluation of crude drugs.
• Phytochemistry: A brief outline of occurrence, distribution, isolation, and therapeutic effects of alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, volatile oils, tannins, and resins.
• Pharmacological Study of Crude Drugs: Detailed study of drugs like Laxatives (Senna), Cardiotonics (Digitalis), Carminatives (Fennel), Antihypertensives (Rauwolfia), Antimalarials (Cinchona), etc.
• Surgical Aids: Study of fibers used in sutures and dressings (Cotton, Silk, Wool).

4. Human Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry

• Human Anatomy & Physiology (HAP): Structure and functions of Cell, Tissues, and all major organ systems (Skeletal, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Digestive, Nervous, Urinary, Endocrine, Reproductive).
• Biochemistry: Brief chemistry and role of Proteins, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Vitamins, and Enzymes. Introduction to the pathology of blood and urine.

5. Health Education & Community Pharmacy

• Concept of Health: Definitions, determinants, and indicators.
• Diseases: Fundamental principles of microbiology; study of communicable diseases (causative agents, prevention) and non-communicable diseases.
• Practical Health: Nutrition, First Aid, Demography, Family Planning, and Environment & Health.
• Immunization: Epidemiology, immunological products, and the national immunization schedule.

6. Pharmacology & Toxicology

• Introduction: Scope of pharmacology, routes of drug administration.
• Pharmacokinetics: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) of drugs.
• Pharmacodynamics: General mechanisms of drug action and factors that modify drug action.
• Drug Classification: Pharmacological classification of drugs acting on CNS, ANS, CVS, Respiratory system, GIT, and chemotherapeutic agents.

7. Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence

• Legislation: Origin and nature of pharmaceutical legislation in India.
• Key Acts & Rules:
  • The Pharmacy Act, 1948: A general study.
  • The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945: Definitions and study of schedules.
  • The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
  • The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
• Ethics: Principles and significance of professional ethics for pharmacists.

8. Drug Store, Business Management & Hospital Pharmacy

• Drug Store Management: Introduction to trade, industry, and commerce. Inventory control techniques (ABC, VED analysis), drug house management, and sales promotion.
• Accounting: Introduction to accounting concepts, cash book, and financial statements.
• Hospital Pharmacy: Definition, functions, and objectives. Drug distribution systems, Pharmacy Therapeutic Committee (PTC), Hospital Formulary, and surgical dressings.
• Clinical Pharmacy: Introduction, modern dispensing aspects, drug interactions, Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs), and drug-induced diseases.