The Government of India has officially notified the Recruitment Rules (RRs) for the post of Senior Pharmacist (Allopathic) under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, marking a major structural shift in the pharmacy cadre. For the first time, CGHS pharmacists are eligible for promotion to a Group ‘B’, Non-Gazetted post.
As per the notification published in the Official Gazette, the post of Senior Pharmacist is placed in Pay Level-7 of the Central Pay Matrix (Rs. 44,900–1,42,400). The position is classified as General Central Service, Group ‘B’, Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial. The sanctioned strength has been fixed at 270 posts (as of 2025), distributed across CGHS cities including Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Chandigarh, Bhubaneswar and Guwahati.
The notified Recruitment Rules prescribe 100 per cent recruitment by promotion, failing which by deputation. Promotion will be made from Pharmacists (Allopathic) in Pay Level-5 who have completed 11 years of regular service in the grade, along with a mandatory two-week training in administration, establishment and accounts matters. A probation period of two years has also been laid down for promotees.
Soon after the notification, strong objections were raised by CGHS pharmacists and their representative bodies. Mr. Ramraj Choudhary, Pharmacist, CGHS Delhi, has voiced concerns on behalf of several pharmacist associations, alleging that the final rules deviate sharply from the draft proposal.
According to the associations, the draft Recruitment Rules had recommended a five-year residency period for promotion to Senior Pharmacist. The extension of the eligibility period to eleven years in the final notification has been termed unjustified and discriminatory, with pharmacists warning that it would lead to prolonged stagnation and slow career progression.
Pharmacist bodies argue that the revised eligibility criteria run contrary to the objectives of cadre restructuring and are inconsistent with promotion norms followed in comparable Central Government services. They have demanded immediate reconsideration and amendment of the rules to reinstate the five-year promotion period proposed earlier.
Despite the controversy, the notification is being viewed as a landmark development, as it formally opens the door for CGHS pharmacists to enter the Group ‘B’ officer cadre for the first time. The issue is now under close scrutiny, with pharmacist organizations indicating further collective action if their demands are not addressed at the policy level.
