The Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) 2026 is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) for admission to M.Pharm and equivalent pharmacy programs across India. The exam will be held in online Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and will consist of 125 multiple-choice questions divided into five sections. Each section will have a fixed time limit of 36 minutes. The total duration of the exam is 3 hours, and the maximum score is 500 marks. GPAT 2026 is open to candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharm). There is no age limit or restriction on the number of attempts. Over 800 participating colleges accept GPAT scores for M.Pharm admissions, making it an important exam for pharmacy graduates.
GPAT 2026 Highlights
GPAT 2026 is a national-level entrance exam for admission to M.Pharm courses. The table below provides key highlights such as exam mode, fees, duration, and other important details.
| Particular | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Full Exam Name | General Pharmacy Aptitude Test |
| Short Exam Name | GPAT |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency |
| Exam Website | natboard.edu.in |
| Frequency of Conducting Exam | Once a Year |
| Exam Level | National-level Exam |
| Language | English |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Application Fee (General ) | Male - INR 2200 (online) Female - INR 1100 (online) |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Exam Pattern | Computer-based Test with Multiple-choice questions |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Mode of counselling | offline |
| Exam helpdesk no. | 0120-6895200 |
| Participating Colleges | 800 |
| Course offered | M. Pharm and equivalent courses |
GPAT 2026 Important Dates
GPAT 2026 important dates help candidates stay updated with the exam schedule. The table below shows the tentative dates for application, exam, admit card, and result events.
| Events | Dates 2026 (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Release of Notification | 4th week of February 2026 |
| Application form filling starts | 1st week of April 2026 |
| Last date for apply and payment of fee | 3rd week of April 2026 |
| Correction window | 4th week of April 2026 |
| Final edit window | 2nd week of May 2026 |
| Publication of Admit Card | 3rd week of May 2026 |
| GPAT 2026 Exam | 4th week of May 2026 |
| Answer Key releases | 4th week of May 2026 |
| Result declared | 4th week of June 2026 |
GPAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for GPAT 2026, candidates must meet certain eligibility conditions related to education, age, and nationality. The table below provides a clear overview of all the key eligibility criteria required for appearing in the exam.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | No age restriction |
| Educational Qualification | - Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy (4 years after 10+2, including lateral entry) - Final-year B.Pharm students are eligible - B.Tech (Pharmaceutical/Fine Chemical Tech) not eligible |
| Number of Attempts | No limit |
| Nationality | Must be a citizen of India |
| Minimum Marks | No specific minimum marks required; just a valid B.Pharm degree from a recognised university |
GPAT 2026 Application Process
The GPAT 2026 application form is expected to be available online from the first week of April 2026 (tentative). Candidates must complete the form accurately to be eligible to appear for the exam. Below are the step-by-step instructions to help you register, fill the form, upload documents, and pay the fees smoothly.
How To Apply
- Visit the official website and click on the “To Register” button to begin the GPAT 2026 application process.
- Fill in basic personal details such as name, date of birth, gender, nationality, email ID, and mobile number.
- Click on “Generate OTP” and complete the verification process using the one-time password sent to the registered contact.
- After successful registration, a User ID and Password will be generated for logging into the portal.
- Log in with the provided credentials and enter the remaining details, including educational qualifications and preferred exam city.
- Upload the required documents like a passport-size photograph, signature, and left thumb impression in the specified format and size.
- Make the application fee payment online using a debit card, a credit card, UPI, or net banking.
- Review all the filled information carefully and click on the ‘Submit’ button to complete the application form.
GPAT 2026 Syllabus
The GPAT 2026 syllabus covers important topics from pharmacy and related subjects. The table below gives a subject-wise breakdown of key areas that candidates need to study while preparing for the exam.
| Subjects/Topics | Key Areas Covered |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology | General Pharmacology, Drugs Acting on CNS, ANS, CVS, Autacoids, Hormones, Chemotherapy |
| Pharmaceutics | Dispensing & Hospital Pharmacy, Preformulation Studies, NDDS, Biopharmaceutics |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry | Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Design, Structure Activity Relationship |
| Pharmacognosy | Sources of Drugs, Crude Drugs, Phytochemistry, Herbal Products |
| Pharmaceutical Analysis | Principles of Analytical Chemistry, UV, IR, NMR, Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography |
| Biochemistry | Carbohydrates, Proteins, Enzymes, Nucleic Acids, Metabolism |
| Microbiology | Bacteria, Viruses, Immunology, Sterilization, Culture Media |
| Biotechnology | Genetic Engineering, Recombinant DNA, Monoclonal Antibodies |
| Pathophysiology | Basic Mechanisms of Diseases, Common Disorders like Diabetes, Hypertension |
| Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics | Drug Interactions, Patient Counseling, Clinical Trials |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology | Various Body Systems – Nervous, Cardiovascular, Digestive, Respiratory |
| Physical Chemistry | Thermodynamics, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Colloids |
| Pharmaceutical Engineering | Unit Operations, Material Handling, Heat Transfer, Equipment |
| Dispensing & Hospital Pharmacy | Prescription Handling, Drug Store Management, Dosage Forms |
| Regulatory Affairs & Ethics | Drug Regulatory Authorities, Clinical Research Guidelines, Ethics |
GPAT 2026 Exam Pattern
GPAT 2026 will be held in an online mode with a structured section-wise format. The table below explains the exam pattern, number of questions, time limit, marking scheme, and total marks.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Sections in Paper | 5 Sections: 1. Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Allied Subjects 2. Pharmaceutics & Allied Subjects 3. Pharmacognosy & Allied Subjects 4. Pharmacology & Allied Subjects 5. Other B.Pharm Subjects |
| Number of Questions | 25 questions in each section (Total: 125 questions) |
| Sectional Time Limit | 36 minutes per section (cannot switch sections during the allotted time) |
| Total Marks | 500 marks |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect answer, 0 for unanswered questions |
GPAT 2026 Preparation Tips
- Thoroughly understand the syllabus and exam pattern before starting your preparation to plan effectively.
- Create a realistic study schedule that covers all subjects, allowing time for revision and practice.
- Refer to standard pharmacy textbooks and trusted study materials recommended for B.Pharm students.
- Practice previous years’ papers and mock tests regularly to improve speed, accuracy, and confidence.
- Focus more on high-weightage topics such as Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
- Create short notes and flashcards for quick review of essential formulas, terms, and concepts.
- Revise consistently and take regular breaks to maintain focus and avoid burnout during long study hours.
GPAT 2026 Admit Card
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) will release the GPAT 2026 admit card for registered candidates on the official website in the third week of May 2026 (tentative). The admit card will contain important details such as the candidate's name, exam centre address, reporting time, and exam-day instructions. It is mandatory to carry the GPAT 2026 hall ticket to the exam centre, as entry will not be permitted without it.
Step 1: Visit the official GPAT website and click on the 'Admit Card Download' link.
Step 2: Log in using the GPAT application number, date of birth, and the security pin.
Step 3: Click on the “Download Admit Card” option.
Step 4: Carefully check all the details printed on the admit card.
Step 5: Download and print 2–3 clear copies of the GPAT 2026 admit card for future use.
GPAT 2026 Answer Key
NBEMS will release the GPAT 2026 provisional answer key on the official website after the exam is conducted in May 2026. Candidates can check their responses and estimate their scores using the answer key. If any discrepancy is found, candidates will be allowed to challenge the provisional answer key by paying a fee of INR 200 per question.
- Visit the official website: natboard.edu.in
- Click on “Login for GPAT 2026”
- Enter Application Number, Date of Birth or Password, and the Security Pin
- Click on the “Sign In” button
- The GPAT 2026 Answer Key will appear on the screen
- Download the answer key in PDF format and take a printout for reference
GPAT 2026 Result
NBEMS will declare the GPAT 2026 result in the fourth week of June 2026 on the official website. The result will include the candidate’s score, percentile, and qualifying status. Candidates are advised to download and keep the scorecard safely for admission purposes.
- Visit the official website: natboard.edu.in
- Click on the “GPAT 2026 Result” link
- Enter Application Number and Date of Birth
- The GPAT 2026 scorecard will appear on the screen
- Download the scorecard PDF and save it for future use
GPAT 2026 Seat Reservation
Let’s check the category-wise seat reservation after GPAT 2026 result:
| Categories | Reservation in Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backwards Classes Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) | 27% |
| General Economically Weaker Sections (GEN-EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 5% |
GPAT 2026 FAQs
Ques. When will the GPAT 2026 exam be conducted?
Ans. GPAT 2026 is expected to be conducted in the fourth week of May 2026, as per the tentative schedule.
Ques. What is the mode of the GPAT 2026 exam?
Ans. GPAT 2026 will be conducted in online mode as a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
Ques. Who is eligible to apply for GPAT 2026?
Ans. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (4 years after 10+2) from a recognized university are eligible. Final-year B.Pharm students can also apply.
Ques. How many questions will be asked in the GPAT 2026 exam?
Ans. A total of 125 questions will be asked, with 25 questions in each of the 5 sections.
Ques. Is there any age limit for GPAT 2026?
Ans. No, there is no age restriction to appear for GPAT 2026.
Ques. How can the GPAT 2026 admit card be downloaded?
Ans. The GPAT 2026 admit card can be downloaded from the official website by logging in using the application number, date of birth, and security pin.
Ques. What is the application fee for GPAT 2026?
Ans. The application fee for GPAT 2026 is INR 2200 for General Male candidates and INR 1100 for General Female candidates.
Ques. Can the GPAT 2026 answer key be challenged?
Ans. Yes, the provisional GPAT 2026 answer key can be challenged by paying INR 200 per question.
Ques. When will the GPAT 2026 result be declared?
Ans. The GPAT 2026 result is expected to be announced in the fourth week of June 2026 on the official website.
Ques. What is the marking scheme in GPAT 2026?
Ans. For every correct answer, +4 marks will be awarded, and 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer. There is no penalty for unanswered questions.