Ahmedabad: The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has made Aadhaar-based biometric attendance compulsory for postgraduate (PG) pharmacy students, extending a system already in place for faculty members in pharmacy colleges. The step aims to ensure transparency in the disbursal of scholarships and to curb misuse of govt funds.According to official data, students who qualify for the Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) are eligible for admission to postgraduate pharmacy courses. These students receive a monthly scholarship of around Rs 12,000 from the central govt. To ensure that only genuinely enrolled and attending students benefit from this aid, the PCI has introduced the mandatory biometric attendance system.The PCI has issued a circular to all approved pharmacy colleges, directing them to implement Aadhaar-based biometric attendance for students enrolled in postgraduate courses under the Prime Minister’s scholarship scheme. This move is aimed at tracking attendance regularly and verifying the authenticity of scholarship beneficiaries.Earlier, the biometric attendance system was made mandatory for teaching staff in pharmacy institutions. According to the new norms, students must complete their registration on the National Attendance Portal after admission is confirmed through the college portal.All recognized pharmacy colleges have been instructed to ensure that the Aadhaar-based attendance system for MPharm students is fully operational by May 31. The PCI believes this measure will boost accountability, improve monitoring, and ensure that govt scholarships reach deserving students without discrepancies.
