TRANSFORMING PHARMACY EDUCATION IN INDIA: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE NEW B.PHARM CURRICULUM (2026) UNDER THE NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020

Abstract

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) programme in India is undergoing a major curricular transformation with the introduction of the revised Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) curriculum aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The revised curriculum is intended for implementation from the academic session 2026–27 and introduces a broader competency-oriented approach to pharmacy education. This review critically examines the structure, emerging domains, educational philosophy, opportunities, and implementation challenges associated with the revised curriculum. Particular attention is given to the integration of Python programming, pharmaceutical data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, healthcare psychology, communication skills, innovation and entrepreneurship, pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, research methodology, internships, and contemporary pharmaceutical technologies. The curriculum represents a transition from predominantly discipline-centered learning towards a more interdisciplinary, technology-enabled, experiential, and competency-oriented model. Such a transition is consistent with international developments in competency-based pharmacy education and the increasing digitalization of healthcare. However, effective implementation will require faculty development, infrastructure strengthening, curriculum mapping, appropriate assessment strategies, industry and hospital partnerships, and institutional quality assurance. The revised curriculum provides a strong foundation for preparing future pharmacists for pharmaceutical industry, clinical practice, research, regulatory science, public health, and digital healthcare. Continuous monitoring and outcome-based evaluation will be essential to determine whether the intended curricular reforms translate into measurable improvements in graduate competence and employability.