Pharmacy Officer Salaries in India: A National Perspective
| CPC | Pay Scale / Grade | SOURCE | REMARKS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st CPC 1946-47 Chairman: Srinivasa Varadachariar | ₹40 - 2 - 60 - 5/2 - 75 | National Archives of India, Call No. 351.12 C333R | Pharmacists were primarily classified as "Compounders" within the Provincial and Subordinate Medical Services. |
| 2nd CPC 1957-59 Chairman: Justice Jagannadha Das | ₹130 - 5 - 175 - EB - 6 - 205 - 7 - 212 - EB - 7 - 240 | Ministry of Finance, Government of India (August 1959) | This commission began emphasizing the Diploma in Pharmacy as a prerequisite for the higher end of these scales, marking the start of professionalizing the cadre. |
| 3rd CPC (1973) Chairman:Raghubar Dayal | ₹330–560 | Gazette Notification & 3rd CPC Report Vol I & II | Pharmacists grouped with paramedical staff, pay scale ₹330–560. Gazette Notification and CPC Report Vol I & II are the authoritative references. Limited cadre recognition led to long-term parity issues. |
| 4th CPC (1986) Chairman: Justice P. N. Shinghal | ₹975–1660 | 4th CPC Report (Vol I–IV, Part II) | Pay revised to ₹975–1660. Pharmacists gained marginal improvement, placed slightly above clerical staff but below comparable technical cadres. Official report volumes (I–IV, Part II) document rationalization. |
| 5th CPC (1996) Chairman: Justice S. Ratnavel Pandian | ₹4500–7000 | 5th CPC Report Vol I–III | Upgraded to ₹4500–7000. Pharmacists pressed for parity with nurses and lab technicians. CPC acknowledged disparities but did not grant full parity. References: CPC Report Vol I–III and Gazette notifications. |
| 6th CPC (2006) Chairman: Justice B. N. Srikrishna | PB-1 ₹5200–20200 + GP ₹2800 | Report of the Sixth Central Pay Commission; CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 (GSR 622E, 29 Aug 2008) | PB-1 ₹5200–20200 + GP ₹2800. Nurses placed at GP 4600, widening disparity. Official references: 6th CPC Report and CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 (GSR 622E). Structural shift made anomalies more visible. |
| 7th CPC (2016) Chairman: Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur | Level 5 (₹29200–92300) | Gazette Notification – 7th CPC Revised Pay Rules (GSR 721E, 25 July 2016) | Pay Matrix introduced; pharmacists placed in Level 5 (₹29200–92300). Gazette Notification GSR 721E (25 July 2016) is the legal basis. Disparity with nurses (Level 7+) continues. |
The table above provides a historical overview of pay scales for pharmacy officers under successive Central Pay Commissions (CPCs) in India. It traces the evolution from the 1st CPC in 1946 to the 7th CPC in 2016, highlighting changes in pay structures, sources, and key remarks on professional recognition and parity.
This reference helps members understand the progression of compensation standards and advocate for fair pay aligned with national benchmarks.
Future Sections
This page will be expanded to include detailed explanations of pay scales for:
- Pharmacy Officers
- Senior Pharmacy Officers
- Chief Pharmacy Officers
Stay tuned for updates on salary structures, increments, and related policies.