B.Pharma degree not valid for recruitment of pharmacists in Uttarakhand: High Court

The Uttarakhand High Court has considered only Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharma) as a valid educational qualification for recruitment to pharmacist posts in the state. The court clarified that B.Pharma degree holders are not eligible to apply for this post as per the existing service rules. The case was heard before a single bench of Justice Ravindra Maithani. In the case, Om Prakash, Vinod Kumar and Pankaj Mohan Dhyani along with other B.Pharma degree holders had filed petitions and argued that they have higher qualifications, so they should get an opportunity to apply for the post of pharmacist.

The petitioners said that the state government had earlier assured that B.Pharma would also be recognized, but the rules have not been amended yet. The court said that deciding the qualification for recruitment is a matter of policy and until the service rules are amended, only candidates having D.Pharma and registration with the State Pharmacy Council will be eligible. Rejecting the petitions, the court said that B.Pharma degree holders can avail the benefits only if the rules are amended in future.