HSSC Pharmacist Syllabus 2026: Exam Pattern & Core Subject Areas

The Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) has laid out the comprehensive guidelines for candidates preparing for upcoming recruitment examinations. Aspiring applicants aiming to secure positions within the state healthcare infrastructure must familiarize themselves with the curriculum structure. For those pursuing the Haryana Pharmacist Recruitment 2026 for 1085 Posts- Click to Check, understanding the detailed syllabus and exam parameters is the primary step toward effective preparation.

This article provides an in-depth look at the exam scheme, question distribution, core technical areas derived from the Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) curriculum, and important checklists to guide your study plan.

HSSC Pharmacist Exam Overview 2026

The Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) is conducting recruitment for 1,085 Group C Pharmacist Officer vacancies within the Haryana Health Department. To evaluate candidates thoroughly, the recruitment commission utilizes a structured offline written assessment followed by subsequent evaluation stages.

Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

The offline objective test consists of 100 questions, and candidates are given 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes) to complete it. Candidates can choose to read the question paper in either English or Hindi.

Each question carries 0.975 marks, bringing the maximum marks in the exam to 97.5. HSSC awards an extra 2.5 marks based on socio-economic factors and relevant work experience. Regarding marking behavior, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers, but 0.975 marks are deducted for unanswered questions. The OMR sheet contains 5 choices, where the 5th circle is specifically designated for questions left unanswered.

The final merit list is determined exclusively by the marks secured in the written test.

HSSC Pharmacist Selection Process

To clear the recruitment process successfully, candidates must progress through multiple screening stages:

• Written Examination
• Document Verification
• Medical Examination

Syllabus Weightage Distribution

The question paper is divided into technical and non-technical sections with distinct weightages as follows:

Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus Topics

Candidates must prepare thoroughly across all core competence areas. Below are the checklists for various sections covered in the official notification.

General Awareness & Aptitude Topics

• General Awareness
• Reasoning
• Mathematics
• Science
• History of Haryana
• Current Affairs
• Geography
• Civics
• Environment
• Culture

Computer Knowledge Topics

• Basics
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• MS PowerPoint
• Internet
• Emails
• Communication
• Data Handling

Pharmacy Subject Core Areas

• Pharmacognosy
• Hospital Pharmacy
• Pharmaceutics
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Pharmacology

Pharmaceutics Topics

• Unit operations: Size separation, Filtration, Size reduction, Extraction, Drying
• Tablets, Capsules
• Immunological products, Quality control, and quality assurance
• Liquid oral preparations – emulsion, suspension, solution, dry powder for reconstitution, syrup, elixir
• Topical preparations
• History of Pharmacy, industry, pharmacy practice, in relation to Pharmacy education, various professional associations, and the profession in India
• Salient features of Indian Pharmacopoeia, Packaging materials, Preservatives
• Sterile formulations
• Novel drug delivery systems, introduction to the concept of calibration and validation
• Powders and granules

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Topics

• Diuretics
• Hypo-glycaemic Agents
• Analgesic And Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Impurities in Pharmaceuticals
• Volumetric analysis & Gravimetric analysis
• Introduction to Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Sources and types of errors
• Drugs Acting on Autonomic Nervous System: Cholinergic Blocking Agents, Synthetic Cholinergic Blocking Agents, Cholinergic Drugs and Related Agents, Sympathomimetic Agents, Adrenergic Antagonists
• Drugs Acting on Cardiovascular System: Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs, Anti-Hypertensive Agents, Antianginal Agents
• Inorganic Pharmaceuticals: Topical agents, Dental products, Medicinal gases, Haematinics, Gastrointestinal Agents
• Drugs Acting on Central Nervous System: Anticonvulsants, Anti-Depressants, Anaesthetics, Sedatives and Hypnotics, Antipsychotics
• Antibiotics, Tetracyclines, Macrolides
• Anti-Neoplastic Agents
• Anti-Infective Agents: Urinary Tract Anti-Infective Agents, Anti-Tubercular Agents, Antimalarials, Sulphonamides, Antifungal Agents, Antiviral Agents

Pharmacognosy Topics

• Plant fibres used as surgical dressings (Cotton, silk, wool, and regenerated fibres; Sutures –Surgical Catgut and Ligature)
• Basic principles involved in the traditional systems of medicine
• Method of preparation of Ayurvedic formulations
• Brief outline of occurrence, terpenoids, glycosides, volatile oils, tannins, distribution, therapeutic activity, isolation, identification tests, and pharmaceutical applications of alkaloids and resins
• Introduction to herbal formulations, Herbal cosmetics, Herbs as health food
• Phytochemical investigation of the drug
• Definition, history, present status, and scope of Pharmacognosy
• Biological source, chemical constituents, and therapeutic efficacy of crude drugs: Oxytocic, Vitamins, Pharmaceutical Aids, Enzymes, Laxatives, Cardiotonic, Carminatives and G.I. regulators, Astringents, Drugs acting on nervous system, Antidiabetics, Diuretics, Anti-dysenteric, Antiseptics and disinfectants, Antimalarials, Anti- hypertensive, Anti-tussive, Anti-rheumatics, Anti-tumour
• Classification of drugs (Alphabetical, Taxonomical, Morphological, Pharmacological, Chemical, Chemo-taxonomical)
• Quality control of crude drugs
• Role of medicinal and aromatic plants in the national economy and their export potential

Human Anatomy and Physiology Topics

• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory system
• Digestive system
• Nervous system
• Sense organs – Anatomy and physiology
• Urinary system, Endocrine system (Hormones and their functions)
• Reproductive system
• Skeletal muscles
• Definition of various terminologies, Scope of Anatomy and Physiology
• Tissues of the Human Body, Structure of the Cell
• Osseous system
• Haemopoietic system
• Lymphatic system

Social Pharmacy Topics

• Introduction to Microbiology and Common Microorganisms
• Introduction to health systems and all ongoing National Health programs in India, their objectives, functioning, outcomes, and the role of pharmacists
• Pharmacoeconomics
• Introduction to Social Pharmacy
• Preventive Healthcare – Role of Pharmacists
• Nutrition and Health
• Epidemiology

Pharmacology Topics

• Definition, classification, pharmacological actions, dose, indications, and contraindications. Anti-ulcer drugs, Anti-emetics, Laxatives and purgatives, Anti-diarrheal drugs
• Drugs Acting on the Gastrointestinal Tract
• Drugs Acting on the Kidney
• Hormones and Hormone Antagonists
• General Pharmacology
• Autocoids
• Chemotherapeutic Agents
• Drugs Acting on Blood and Blood-Forming Organs, Drugs Acting on the Cardiovascular System
• Biologicals
• Drugs Acting on the Peripheral Nervous System
• Drugs Acting on the Eye
• Drugs Acting on the Central Nervous System

Community Pharmacy and Management Topics

• Communication skills
• Patient counselling, Stages of patient counselling, Barriers to effective counselling, Patient counselling points for chronic diseases/disorders, Patient Package Inserts, Patient Information leaflets
• Medication Adherence
• Community Pharmacy Practice
• Health Screening Services in Community Pharmacy
• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
• Community Pharmacy Management
• Professional responsibilities of community pharmacists
• An overview of Good Pharmacy principles and the role of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Prescription and prescription handling

Biochemistry and Clinical Pathology Topics

• Nucleic acids
• Enzymes
• Vitamins
• Metabolism
• Introduction to biochemistry
• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Lipids
• Introduction to Biotechnology
• Organ function tests
• Introduction to Pathology of Blood and Urine
• Minerals
• Water and Electrolytes

Pharmacotherapeutics Topics

• Definition, etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, non-pharmacological and pharmacological management of the diseases associated with Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Endocrine System, Central Nervous System, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Haematological disorders, Infectious diseases, Musculoskeletal disorders, Dermatology, Psychiatric Disorders, Ophthalmology, Anti-microbial Resistance, Women’s Health
• Pharmacotherapeutics – Introduction, scope, and objectives. Rational use of Medicines, Evidence-Based Medicine, Essential Medicines List, Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs)

Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy Topics

• Compounding in Hospitals: Preparation of medicines in large quantities, including sterile IV mixing services and the study of drug incompatibilities, along with an introduction to total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
• Radio Pharmaceuticals, Application of computers in Hospital Pharmacy Practice, Electronic health records, Software used in hospital pharmacy
• Supply Chain and Inventory Control
• Drug distribution
• Hospital Pharmacy
• Different Committees in the Hospital
• Poisoning
• Pharmacovigilance
• Medication errors
• Drug Interactions
• Clinical Pharmacy, Daily activities of clinical pharmacists, Pharmaceutical care, Medication Therapy Management, Home Medication Review
• Clinical laboratory tests used in the evaluation of disease states – significance and interpretation of test results

Pharmacy Law and Ethics Topics

• Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act-1960
• Poisons Act-1919
• FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) Act and Rules
• National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority
• General Principles of Law, History and various Acts related to Drugs and the Pharmacy profession, the Pharmacy Act-1948 and the Rules
• Pharmacy Practice Regulations 2015
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945 and New Amendments, Manufacture of drugs, Sale of Drugs, Administration of the Act and Rules
• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and Rules
• Introduction to BCS system of classification, Basic concepts of Clinical Trials, ANDA, NDA, New Drug development, New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. Brand v/s Generic
• Trade name concept, Introduction to Patent Law and Intellectual Property Rights, Emergency Use Authorisation
• Code of Pharmaceutical Ethics, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and Rules – basic understanding, salient features, and Amendments, Role of all the government pharma regulator bodies –Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO), Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)
• Good Regulatory practices (documentation, licenses, renewals, e-governance) in CommunityPharmacy, Hospital pharmacy, Pharma Manufacturing, Wholesale business, inspections, import, export of drugs and medical devices
• Introduction to the Consumer Protection Act, Introduction to the Disaster Management Act
• Medical Devices
• Fundamentals of blood bank operations, including essential requirements and key functions, along with pharmacy-related provisions under the Clinical Establishments Act and its rules
• Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016 – Basic aspects, and aspects related to pharmaceutical manufacture to disposal of pharma / medical waste at homes, pharmacies, and hospitals

Official Notification and Syllabus PDF

To review official reference documents and print the complete curriculum guide, candidates can download the HSSC Pharmacist Syllabus 2026 PDF.

Next Steps for Candidates

After reviewing the syllabus breakdown, applicants should organize a disciplined study timetable focusing heavily on the 70% pharmacy-specific topics while maintaining proficiency in computer basics and general awareness. Keep track of official HSSC announcements for admit card release dates, test center locations, and travel preparation guidelines.