Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Allahabad High Court Questions Uttar Pradesh B.Pharm NOC Requirement
The Allahabad High Court is examining rules for starting B.Pharm courses in Uttar Pradesh.
The court wants to know why colleges need permission called an NOC from the state government.
It also asked why this permission is needed for B.Pharm but not D.Pharm courses.
The court noted that pharmacy authorities already check whether colleges have buildings, laboratories, equipment and teachers.
It questioned whether university affiliation should be handled separately from pharmacy approval.
The Pharmacy Council of India must explain the rules and provide documents.
The Uttar Pradesh government must show examples of NOCs it has issued.
The court will hear the matter again after two weeks.
The Allahabad High Court questioned why Uttar Pradesh requires an NOC before institutions start B.Pharm courses.
The court asked why B.Pharm courses require an NOC while D.Pharm courses do not.
It sought an affidavit and documents from the Pharmacy Council of India within two weeks.
The bench questioned the distinction between an NOC and consent for university affiliation.
The court will examine the state’s authority to impose zero sessions or moratoriums on pharmacy institutions.
- Who
- The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench, the Pharmacy Council of India, the Uttar Pradesh government and educational institutions.
- What
- The court is examining whether institutions must obtain a state-government NOC before starting B.Pharm courses and whether the state can impose zero sessions or moratoriums.
- When
- The report is dated August 24; the matter is listed for further hearing after two weeks.
- Where
- The proceedings are before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court.
- Why
- The court questioned the absence of a clear NOC format or criteria, the different treatment of B.Pharm and D.Pharm courses, and the distinction between an NOC and affiliation consent.
Court’s Concerns
Approval Authorities’ Position Under Examination
Need for an NOC
Court’s Concerns
The court questioned why an NOC is required for B.Pharm courses when colleges must already meet prescribed infrastructure, equipment and staffing requirements.
Approval Authorities’ Position Under Examination
The existing approval framework includes an NOC requirement that the court has asked the Pharmacy Council of India and Uttar Pradesh government to explain.
Approval and affiliation
Court’s Concerns
The court observed prima facie that PCI approval and university affiliation may be separate matters, with affiliation handled by the university or competent affiliating authority.
Approval Authorities’ Position Under Examination
The court is seeking clarification on how an NOC differs from consent for affiliation and how these processes should interact.
State powers over courses
Court’s Concerns
The court will examine whether the Uttar Pradesh government has jurisdiction to declare a zero session or impose a moratorium on B.Pharm and D.Pharm institutions or courses.
Approval Authorities’ Position Under Examination
The state government’s authority to take such actions remains under judicial examination and has not been finally determined.
- Court
- Allahabad High Court, Lucknow bench
- Judges
- Justices Rajan Roy and Manjive Shukla
- Regulator
- Pharmacy Council of India
- Relevant rules
- Bachelor of Pharmacy Course Regulations, 2014
- PCI response deadline
- Within two weeks, through an affidavit if required
- State documents requested
- One or two previously issued Uttar Pradesh NOCs
- Next hearing
- After two weeks