GPAT 2027: Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus, Cutoff and AICTE Scholarship

GPAT 2027 (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test) is a national-level computer-based entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) for admission to M.Pharm programmes across India. More than 50,000 pharmacy graduates appear for GPAT every year, competing for around 39,890 M.Pharm seats in over 782 participating institutes. The official GPAT 2027 notification has not been released yet — based on the 2026 cycle, the notification is expected in November or December 2026 at natboard.edu.in.

• GPAT 2027 Notification: The official GPAT 2027 notification and information bulletin are expected in November or December 2026. In the 2026 cycle, NBEMS released the notification in December 2025.
• GPAT 2027 Registration: Online registration is expected to open in December 2026. Last year, the GPAT 2026 application window ran from December 23, 2025 to January 12, 2026 — roughly 3 weeks.
• GPAT 2027 Exam Date: The exam is expected in March 2027. In 2026, GPAT was held on March 7, 2026 in CBT mode with 125 questions for 500 marks over 3 hours.
• AICTE Scholarship: Candidates who qualify GPAT 2027 and take admission to an AICTE-approved M.Pharm programme are eligible for a scholarship of ₹12,400 per month for up to 24 months.

What is GPAT 2027?

GPAT stands for Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test. It is a national-level entrance exam for pharmacy graduates who want to pursue an M.Pharm (Master of Pharmacy) programme in India. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducts GPAT on behalf of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). Before 2024, the National Testing Agency (NTA) used to run this exam.

GPAT tests your knowledge across four core pharmacy subjects — Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, and Pharmacognosy. A valid GPAT score is accepted by more than 782 M.Pharm colleges across India. It also makes you eligible for the AICTE scholarship of ₹12,400 per month for up to 24 months to support your postgraduate studies.

The GPAT exam has 125 MCQs for 500 marks, conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode over 3 hours. Your GPAT score stays valid for 3 years from the date of result declaration, so you can use it for M.Pharm admissions over multiple cycles. More than 50,000 pharmacy graduates appear for GPAT every year, making it the largest national-level pharmacy postgraduate entrance test in India.

GPAT 2027 Highlights

Here is a quick snapshot of GPAT 2027. All key details are in the table below. The official notification is expected shortly — keep checking natboard.edu.in for confirmed dates.

GPAT 2027 Important Dates

NBEMS has not released the official GPAT 2027 schedule yet. The expected dates below are based on the GPAT 2026 cycle timeline. You should check natboard.edu.in regularly once the notification is out so you don’t miss any deadline.

All GPAT 2027 dates in the table below are estimated based on the previous year’s schedule. NBEMS has not confirmed any date for the 2027 cycle yet.

Source: NBEMS Official Website – natboard.edu.in

GPAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria

Before filling the GPAT 2027 application form, you must check whether you meet the eligibility conditions set by NBEMS. If you don’t meet them, your application can be rejected at any point, including after the exam.

Educational Qualification

You must hold a B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) degree from a recognised university. If you are in the final year of your B.Pharm programme, you can still apply. You must have completed the degree before you take admission in any M.Pharm college.

Candidates with a B.Tech degree in Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemical Technology are NOT eligible to appear for GPAT. Check the information bulletin before applying.

Nationality

You must be an Indian citizen to apply for GPAT 2027.

Age Limit

There is no upper age limit for GPAT 2027. Any B.Pharm graduate can apply, regardless of age.

GPAT 2027 Eligibility Criteria – Quick Table

You should verify the complete eligibility requirements from the official GPAT 2027 information bulletin on natboard.edu.in once it is published.

GPAT 2027 Application Process

The GPAT 2027 application process will be fully online. Registration is expected to open in December 2026 at natboard.edu.in. Here is the step-by-step process you need to follow.

How to Fill the GPAT 2027 Application Form

1. Step 1 – New Registration: Visit natboard.edu.in and click on the GPAT 2027 registration link. Enter your name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number to create your account. Note your login credentials carefully.
2. Step 2 – Fill Application Form: Log in and fill in your personal, academic, and contact details. Double-check all information before proceeding to the next step.
3. Step 3 – Upload Documents: Upload a recent passport-size photograph and your signature in the specified file size and format. Incorrect uploads can lead to rejection.
4. Step 4 – Choose Exam City: Select your preferred exam city from the list of available centres. Cities are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis in most cases.
5. Step 5 – Pay Application Fee: Pay the GPAT 2027 application fee online through net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI on the payment gateway.
6. Step 6 – Submit and Save Confirmation: After payment, submit the form. Take a printout of the confirmation page and save the PDF for your records.

Documents Required for GPAT 2027 Registration

• Recent passport-size photograph (colour, white background, JPG/JPEG format)
• Scanned signature (black ink on white paper)
• B.Pharm degree certificate or final-year marksheet
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) — if applying under reserved category
• PwBD disability certificate — if applicable
• Valid government photo ID (Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID)

You cannot edit your application form after final submission except during the official correction window. Review every detail carefully before submitting.

GPAT 2027 Application Fees

The official GPAT 2027 application fee will be confirmed in the information bulletin. Based on the GPAT 2026 fee structure, the expected fees for 2027 are shown below. The fee is non-refundable under all circumstances.

You must pay the fee online through the payment gateway on natboard.edu.in. No offline payment (demand draft or challan) is accepted. Always download the fee payment confirmation receipt after the transaction is complete.

GPAT 2027 Syllabus

The GPAT 2027 syllabus is based on the B.Pharm curriculum as approved by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). NBEMS has not released the official GPAT 2027 syllabus yet. Based on previous years, the syllabus covers five major subject areas. The detailed syllabus will be published in the GPAT 2027 information bulletin on natboard.edu.in.

1. Pharmaceutical Chemistry (38 Questions)

This subject has the highest weightage in GPAT alongside Pharmaceutics. It covers both theoretical and applied aspects of chemistry used in drug design and drug analysis.

• Medicinal Chemistry – Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR), drug design, pharmacophore concepts
• Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry – Drug synthesis, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms
• Inorganic Pharmaceutical Chemistry – IP monographs, analysis of inorganic drugs and reagents
• Physical Chemistry – Solutions, colligative properties, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics
• Biochemistry – Enzymes, metabolism (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins), nucleic acids

2. Pharmaceutics (38 Questions)

Pharmaceutics is equally weighted as Pharmaceutical Chemistry. It covers drug formulation, delivery systems, and manufacturing processes.

• Physical Pharmaceutics – Solubility, dissolution, diffusion, rheology
• Dosage Form Design – Tablets, capsules, suspensions, emulsions, suppositories
• Novel Drug Delivery Systems – Nanoparticles, liposomes, transdermal patches, microspheres
• Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics – ADME parameters, bioavailability, half-life, clearance calculations
• Pharmaceutical Technology – Manufacturing, GMP, quality control, stability testing
• Pharmaceutical Packaging – Containers, closures, labelling regulations

3. Pharmacology (28 Questions)

Pharmacology questions focus on drug mechanisms, classifications, and clinical use.

• General Pharmacology – Routes of administration, dose-response relationships, drug interactions
• Autonomic Pharmacology – Adrenergic and cholinergic drugs, their agonists and antagonists
• CNS Pharmacology – Analgesics, antiepileptics, antidepressants, antipsychotics
• Cardiovascular Pharmacology – Antihypertensives, diuretics, antiarrhythmics, antianginals
• Chemotherapy – Antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antitubercular and antimalarial drugs
• Autacoids and Anti-inflammatory Drugs – NSAIDs, histamine, serotonin

4. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry (10 Questions)

This section covers natural sources of drugs, their evaluation, and phytochemical constituents.

• Classification and evaluation of crude drugs
• Phytochemistry – Alkaloids, glycosides, terpenes, flavonoids, tannins
• Plant tissue culture and herbal drug technology
• Quality standards and WHO guidelines for herbal medicines

5. Other Subjects (11 Questions)

These 11 questions cover allied pharmacy subjects from the standard B.Pharm curriculum.

• Pharmaceutical Analysis – HPLC, TLC, GC, UV-Vis spectroscopy, titration methods
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology – Sterilisation, antiseptics, disinfectants, microbial testing
• Pharmaceutical Biotechnology – Fermentation technology, recombinant drugs, vaccines
• Pharmacy Practice and Jurisprudence – Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Pharmacy Act, patent laws
• Pathophysiology and Clinical Pharmacy

GPAT 2027 Admit Card

The GPAT 2027 admit card will be released on natboard.edu.in before the exam. Based on the 2026 cycle, the GPAT admit card is expected around 10–15 days before the exam — likely in February or early March 2027. No admit card will be sent by post or email.

You can only download the GPAT 2027 admit card if your application form was submitted successfully and the fee was paid. Candidates with incomplete applications will not get the admit card.

How to Download GPAT 2027 Admit Card

1. Go to natboard.edu.in
2. Click on the “GPAT 2027 Admit Card” link on the homepage
3. Log in using your registration number and password or date of birth
4. Your admit card will appear on screen
5. Download and print it on A4 size paper

What the GPAT 2027 Admit Card Will Contain

• Candidate’s name and roll number
• Registration number
• Exam date and reporting time
• Exam centre name and full address
• Candidate’s photograph and signature
• Important exam day instructions

You must carry a printed copy of the GPAT 2027 admit card along with a valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport) on exam day. Entry to the exam hall will not be allowed without the admit card.

Top Colleges Accepting GPAT 2027 Score

More than 782 colleges across India accept GPAT scores for M.Pharm admission. These include central universities, deemed universities, government institutes, and private pharmacy colleges. Most top pharmacy institutes give preference to GPAT-qualified candidates and set their own admission cutoff well above the NBEMS qualifying score.

A higher GPAT rank improves your chances of getting a seat at a premier institute. Always check each college’s official website for their specific GPAT cutoff and admission process, as these vary widely.

GPAT AICTE Scholarship 2027

One of the biggest benefits of qualifying GPAT is access to the AICTE scholarship. If you clear GPAT 2027 and get admission to an AICTE-approved M.Pharm programme, you are eligible for a monthly scholarship that can significantly reduce your financial burden during postgraduate studies.

GPAT AICTE Scholarship – Key Details

You must maintain satisfactory academic performance throughout your M.Pharm programme to continue receiving the scholarship. Candidates who qualify GPAT but do not take admission to an AICTE-approved M.Pharm college will not receive any scholarship. The scholarship is provided by AICTE, not NBEMS — check AICTE’s official portal for disbursement details and conditions.

Preparation Tips for GPAT 2027

GPAT is one of the most competitive pharmacy entrance exams in India. With more than 50,000 candidates and around 39,890 M.Pharm seats, strong scores matter. Here are practical strategies to help you prepare well for GPAT 2027.

1. Focus on High-Weightage Subjects First

Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutics each carry 38 questions and together make up over 60% of the paper. Build a study plan that gives more time to these two subjects. Pharmacology (28 questions) is the next priority. Pharmacognosy and other subjects together account for only 21 questions — cover them but don’t over-invest time here.

2. Use Standard B.Pharm Textbooks

The GPAT syllabus is based on the PCI-approved B.Pharm curriculum. Your B.Pharm textbooks are your primary resource. Refer to standard references: Foye’s Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, Remington’s Pharmaceutical Sciences, Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, and Trease & Evans’ Pharmacognosy for in-depth coverage.

3. Solve at Least 10 Years of GPAT Previous Papers

Past GPAT question papers reveal clear patterns — certain topics and question types repeat every year. Solving the last 10 years of GPAT papers helps you identify high-frequency topics, improve speed, and reduce exam-day anxiety. Biopharmaceutics calculations, Medicinal Chemistry SAR questions, and pharmacokinetics numericals appear almost every year.

4. Be Strategic About Negative Marking

GPAT has −1 for every wrong answer. A randomly guessed wrong answer costs you 5 marks in effect (4 you could have gained, plus the 1 deducted). The GPAT 2026 General cutoff was 213 out of 500 — that is roughly 54 correct answers out of 125. You do not need to attempt all questions. Skip and move on if you have no idea about an answer.

5. Take Full-Length Mock Tests Weekly

Start taking full-length 125-question mock tests in the final 2–3 months before the exam. Aim for at least 2–3 mock tests per week. This builds exam stamina, improves time management, and helps you identify weak areas while there is still time to revise.

6. Master Pharmacokinetics Calculations

Numerical problems on ADME calculations and pharmacokinetics appear in nearly every GPAT paper. Practice half-life, clearance, volume of distribution, and bioavailability problems. These are high-scoring questions if you have the formulas right. Dedicate at least 1–2 hours per week to pharmacokinetics numericals from the start of your preparation.

7. Revise Systematically in the Last Month

In the last 30 days, do not start any new topic. Focus on rapid revision of high-weightage areas: Novel Drug Delivery Systems, biopharmaceutics, SAR patterns in Medicinal Chemistry, and drug classification in Pharmacology. Short notes and flashcards work well for this phase.