Applications invited for Technical Consultants (5 posts) at Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government | Postgraduate in Pharmaceutical Sciences / Medicinal Chemistry / Pharmacology / Biotech

The Department of Pharmaceuticals was created on the 1st of July in the year 2008 in the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers with the objective to give greater focus and thrust on the development of pharmaceutical sector in the country and to regulate various complex issues related to pricing and availability of medicines at affordable prices, research & development, protection of intellectual property rights and international commitments related to pharmaceutical sector which required integration of work with other Ministries.

Application form for engagement of five (05) Technical Consultants (02 of Grade-1 and 03 of Grade-2) for providing Technical and Programme Support for Implementation of the Bio- pharma SHAKTI Scheme.

Technical Consultant Grade 2 (Pharma)
Division : Pharma Policy Division
Position : Technical Consultant (Pharma), Project Management Unit (PMU) of Biopharma SHAKTI scheme
Number of positions : Three (Whole Time)
Organisation : Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Legal status : The position is that of a consultant and nothing in the contract engaging consultant will establish, constitute or imply the relationship of employer and employee, or of a principal and its agent, between this Department and consultant.
Age : Maximum age limit should not be more than 50 years as on 31.03.2026.
Tenure : 1 fixed year + 4 years, extendable subject to satisfactory performance

Eligibility criteria :
Qualification
Post-Graduate degree (M. Pharm/M.Sc./M. Tech.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences / Medicinal Chemistry / Pharmacology / Biotech or related field; or equivalent qualification with strong relevant experience.
Experience
8-15 years post-qualification experience across drug R&D (discovery, pre-clinical, clinical and/or CMC) in industry/CRO/academia or government programmes. Demonstrated capability to appraise R&D proposals and define TRL-based milestones with objective evidence requirements; Core knowledge Proposal appraisal: assess scientific merit, novelty & FTO (basics), feasibility, development plan, risk, meline and end- use; align with Scheme priority areas. Regulatory fluency: Indian pathways - CDSCO / New Drugs & CT Rules (2019); ethics committees; basics of GMP/QMS; for biologics/biosimilars - analytical similarity/comparability overview. Tools: MS Office Suite (Advanced Excel/PowerPoint)

Desirable
Preference will be given to Ph.D. in the aforesaid domains in Pharmaceutical Sciences / Medicinal Chemistry / Pharmacology / Biotech or related field; or equivalent qualification with strong relevant experience 8+ years post-qualification experience across drug R&D (discovery, pre-clinical, clinical and/or CMC), in industry/CRO/academia or government programmes. Post-doc experience will be counted. Prior work with DBT/BIRAC/ICMR/CSIR or multilateral R&D funding programmes (grant management). Depth in at least one domain: New Biological entities / Clinical research/ Biomanufacturing/ NCEs, etc. Service on SECs/TCs, grant review panels; Or Drafting SOPs/templates/ ToRs for reviewers Tools : Literature & patent search (PubMed, SciFinder, PATENTSCOPE)
Note : The Department reserves the right to select a candidate who may not possess the desirable qualifications/ experience, provided the overall profile and expertise of the candidate align with the specific requirements of the job.

Responsibilities include
(a) Be responsible for implementation of one or more components of Scheme.
(b) Preparations of RFAs - for Implementation of the Scheme write component-wise RFAs, getting it approved by competent authority and publish it. Plan and undertake outreach activities include roadshows, webinars, social media post, etc.
(c) Technical appraisal & recommendations
i. Conduct desk reviews of applications as required; review screening and parameter-based scoring; prepare technical appraisal notes and recommendations for TC/PAAC.
ii. Get assessment of scientific merit, novelty/FTO (basic), feasibility, team competency, development risks, and alignment to RPFs of Biopharma Shakti.
(d) Milestone design & regulatory alignment ; Prepare tangible milestones as per the approved proposal. Ensure alignment with applicable regulatory, GFR and quality frameworks, and other domestic or international standards governing clinical, and ethical practices, and confirm that the supporting documentation is complete, current, and sufficient for evaluation.
(e) Budget & plan due diligence ; Review project plans for cost rationality, resource realism, co-funding evidence, and adherence to scheme expenditure guardrails; suggest re-phasing where required.
(f) Execute Agreement – Prepare and execute Grant agreement with legal vetting.
(g) Monitoring & disbursals
i. Review progress reports; examine extension/variance and over/under- utilisation requests; recommend milestone disbursals/withholds.
ii. Undertake site/virtual visits and third-party validations as advised, file visit reports and non-conformance notes.
(h) Coordination & quality i. Work with PMA, TC and empanelled consultant for assignments, Relevant disclosure checks, and consolidation of reviews; maintain decision trails and audit ready records.
ii. Contribute to SOPs/templates, reviewer manuals, milestone descriptor catalogue, and portal/MIS field refinements.
(i) Capacity building & queries
i. Support onboarding/orientation of reviewers; provide clarifications on technical queries from DoP/TC/PMA

Terms and conditions
Remuneration : Remuneration (fixed) shall be in the range of ₹1,45,000 to ₹2,65,000 per month, with an annual increment of 5%, subject to performance review
Other terms and conditions
These will be governed by the Guidelines for Hiring of Technical Consultants on contract basis in the Department of Pharmaceuticals (published on the website of the Department), as may be amended from me to me, except in relation to criteria of qualification/experience specifically mentioned above.
Application fee : Nil

Technical Consultant Grade 1 (Pharma)
Division : Pharma Policy Division
Position : Technical Consultant (Pharma), Project Management Unit (PMU) of Biopharma SHAKTI scheme
Number of positions : Two (Whole Time)
Organisation : Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Legal status : The position is that of a consultant and nothing in the contract engaging consultant will establish, constitute or imply the relationship of employer and employee, or of a principal and its agent, between this Department and consultant.
Age : Maximum age limit should not be more than 40 years as on 31.03.2026.
Tenure : 1 fixed year + 4 years, extendable subject to satisfactory performance

Eligibility criteria :
Qualification
Post-Graduate degree (M. Pharm/M.Sc./M. Tech.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences / Medicinal Chemistry / Pharmacology / Biotech or related field; or equivalent qualification with strong relevant experience.
Experience
3-8 years post-qualification experience across drug R&D (discovery, pre-clinical, clinical and/or CMC) in industry/CRO/academia or government programmes. Demonstrated capability to appraise R&D proposals and define TRL-based milestones with objective evidence requirements; Core knowledge Proposal appraisal: assess scientific merit, novelty & FTO (basics), feasibility, development plan, risk, mitigation and end-use; Regulatory fluency: Indian pathways - CDSCO / New Drugs & CT Rules (2019); ethics committees; basics of GMP/QMS; for biologics/biosimilars - analytical similarity/comparability overview. Tools: MS Office Suite (Advanced Excel/PowerPoint)

Desirable
Post graduate degree (M.Pharm/MSc/MTech/MS/MD/PhD) in Pharmaceutical Sciences / Medicinal Chemistry / Pharmacology / Biotech or related field; or equivalent qualification with strong relevant experience 6+ years post-qualification experience across drug R&D (discovery, pre-clinical, clinical and/or CMC), in industry/CRO/academia or government programmes. Prior work with DBT/BIRAC/ICMR/CSIR or multilateral R&D funding programmes (grant management). Depth in at least one domain: New Chemical En es or New Biological entities Service on SECs/TCs, grant review panels; Or Drafting SOPs/templates for reviewers Tools: Literature & patent search (PubMed, SciFinder, PATENTSCOPE)
Note : The Department reserves the right to select a candidate who may not possess the desirable qualifications/ experience, provided the overall profile and expertise of the candidate align with the specific requirements of the job.

Responsibilities include
(a) Assist in preparations of RFAs - for Implementation of the Scheme write component- wise RFAs, getting it approved by competent authority and publish it. Plan and undertake outreach activities include roadshows, webinars, social media post, etc.
(b) Technical appraisal & recommendations; i. Conduct desk reviews of applications as required; review screening and parameter- based scoring; prepare technical appraisal notes and recommendations for TC/PAAC.
ii. Get assessment of scientific merit, novelty/FTO (basic), feasibility, team competency, development risks, and alignment to RPFs of Biopharma Shakti.
(c) Milestone design & regulatory alignment Prepare tangible milestones as per the approved proposal for assigned projects. Ensure alignment with applicable regulatory, GFR and quality frameworks, and other domestic or international standards governing clinical, and ethical practices, and confirm that the supporting documentation is complete, current, and sufficient for evaluation.
(d) Budget & plan due diligence Review project plans for cost rationality, resource realism, co-funding evidence, and adherence to scheme expenditure guardrails; suggest re-phasing where required.
(e) Execute Agreement – Prepare and execute Grant agreement with legal vetting.
(f) Monitoring & disbursals
i. Review progress reports; examine extension/variance and over/under-utilisation requests; recommend milestone disbursals/withholds.
ii. Undertake site/virtual visits and third-party validations as advised, file visit reports and non-conformance notes.
(g) Coordination & quality;
i. Work with PMA, TC and empanelled experts for assignments, Relevant disclosure checks, and consolidation of reviews; maintain decision trails and audit ready records.
ii. Contribute to SOPs/templates, reviewer manuals, milestone descriptor catalogue, and portal/MIS field refinements.
(h) Capacity building & queries; Support onboarding/orientation of reviewers; provide clarifications on technical queries from DoP/TC/PMA.
(i) Capacity building & queries; Support onboarding/orientation of reviewers; provide clarifications on technical queries from DoP/TC/PMA.

Terms and conditions
Remuneration : Remuneration (fixed) shall be in the range of ₹80,000 to ₹1,45,000 per month, with an annual increment of 5%, subject to performance review
Other terms and conditions
These will be governed by the Guidelines for Hiring of Technical Consultants on contract basis in the Department of Pharmaceuticals (published on the website of the Department), as may be amended from me to me, except in relation to criteria of qualification/experience specifically mentioned above.
Application fee : Nil

Submission Instructions
Applications must be submitted using the prescribed form. Completed applications should reach the Department on or before the specified last date. Submissions are accepted via either of the following methods:
1. By Hard Copy : Sent via Speed Post or hand-delivered in a sealed cover to:
Office of Under Secretary (Policy), Department of Pharmaceuticals, Room No. 22020, 2nd floor, Kartavya Bhawan-II, New Delhi.
Addressed to: Under Secretary (Policy), Department of Pharmaceuticals, 22020, 2nd floor, Kartavya Bhawan-II, New Delhi (During working hours on a working day).
2. By Email : Sent to the email address : us-pharmaschemes@pharma-dept.gov.in

Last Date for Receipt of Application : 11.11.2026