UPSC invites applications for 186 Drug Inspector posts under CDSCO, check eligibility and selection process
UPSC Drug Inspector recruitment 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the recruitment of 186 Drug Inspectors in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The recruitment has been announced through Advertisement No. 07/2026, with the online application process beginning on June 27, 2026.Eligible candidates can submit applications through the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal until July 17, 2026, at 6.00 pm. The recruitment is for Group ‘A’ Gazetted posts and appointments may be made anywhere in India according to organisational requirements.Vacancy details and eligibilityUPSC has announced 186 vacancies, including 55 for the unreserved category, 41 for EWS, 39 for OBC, 35 for SC and 16 for ST candidates.Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a degree in Medicine with specialisation in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology from a recognised university. The upper age limit is 30 years for UR and EWS candidates, 33 years for OBC applicants and 35 years for SC and ST candidates. Age relaxation for PwBD candidates will be provided according to government rules.Application process and feeCandidates must complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on the UPSC ORA portal before filling in the application form. Applicants are required to upload a passport-sized photograph, signature, educational certificates, valid photo identity proof and other relevant documents. Category and PwBD certificates must also be uploaded wherever applicable.The application fee is Rs 25 for General, OBC and EWS male candidates. No fee is payable by SC, ST, women and PwBD applicants.Selection process and payThe selection process includes shortlisting of applications, a Recruitment Test if conducted by UPSC, a personal interview, document verification and a medical examination.Selected candidates will be appointed under Pay Level-8 of the Seventh Central Pay Commission. The approximate monthly in-hand salary ranges from Rs 70,000 to Rs 85,000, depending on the place of posting and applicable allowances. Benefits include Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance, National Pension System, medical facilities, Leave Travel Concession and other Central Government benefits.The probation period will be two years, including mandatory induction training of at least two weeks. The headquarters will be at CDSCO, New Delhi, while postings may be made anywhere in India. Drug Inspectors will be responsible for inspecting pharmaceutical manufacturing units, monitoring medicine quality, collecting drug samples, ensuring compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and taking regulatory action against violations.
