The healthcare sector covers some of the most important factors like prevention of diseases, providing a healthy life, and the well-being of people. It also includes conducting research and finding new medicines and drugs to cure diseases. Pharmacy is a vital component of the healthcare sector. It’s also one of the leading fields in terms of bothrevenue and employment. The current global scenario rewrites the role of pharmacists. They no longer are merely drug dispensers but also fulfil the roles of medical counselors, researchers, educators, medical management experts, health inspectors,etc. This has led to an opening of diverse career avenues for pharmacy students.

The first step to become a Pharmacist is to enroll in a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree program. And in this blog, we will look at the admission procedure for B. Pharm. program in Maharashtra. Other important points including the eligibility criteria, the application process, admit card information, exam centre details, results, etc. will also be covered in this blog. So, let’s dive right in!

Empathy, improving people’s health and lifestyle, researching and finding new drugs, are some factors involved in a Pharmacist’s job profile. If a student wishes to build a pharmacy career, he/she needs to get admission to a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm.) program. Getting admission into B. Pharm.includes clearing a few steps. Let’s take a look at these steps: -

1. Initial research- The first step involves the initial research where students need to find out information about the pharmacy program, the career options available after the program, higher education, specialization options, etc.

2. Eligibility: - For seeking admission to technical education/professional program like B. Pharm., students need to meet the minimum eligibility criteria of passing Higher Secondary Certificate Examination (12th) along with different state government entrance exams. Eligibility criteria for enrolling in a B. Pharm. program differs from state to state. Students need to check if they meet the criteria of the particular state of their choice. Take a look at the state-wise eligibility criteria here (include link of the March Pharma blog)

3. College research: - Students need to find information about the colleges of their choice. While selecting the college they need to take into consideration various factors including, the college accreditation, college ranking, facilities offered, faculty, industrial tie-ups, programs offered, higher education options, college activities, alumni feedback, etc. Find and shortlist the best-suited colleges post that.

4. Entrance exams- Once students shortlist colleges the next step involves finding about the entrance exams and clearing them. These differ from state to state. Many institutions have their own entrance exams. Students need to gather information about these exams including the enrolment process, syllabus, result announcement, etc. and prepare accordingly. Read about various entrance exams here (include link of the March Pharma blog.)After clearing the entrance exams, many institutions conduct a group discussion round followed by a personal interview. The results of these entrance exams are declared along with displaying the Merit lists. Post which the selected students are notified to advance their admission process.

5. Applying to colleges- Once the student has cleared the entrance exam, he/she needs to apply to the desired colleges based on the previous research. And check the government merit list post that.

6. Counselling sessions- MHT-CET conducts counselling sessions for candidates post releasing the merit list. Candidates with higher percentile in the merit list are given preference for counselling. It usually consists of three rounds. The shortlisted candidates who wish to participate in the counselling session needs to register and pay the fee.

7. Admission process- Once your name appears in the merit list of colleges of your choice, the next step is to submit the required documents and fees to confirm the admission.

Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) 

The state of Maharashtra has an entrance exam called Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) for students who are seeking admission in B. Pharm. The exam is conducted once a year usually in the month of March. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MHT-CET 2020, is rescheduled in the months of July and August 2020.

• MHT-CET is conducted in two groups i.e. PCM (Physics, Chemistry, andMathematics) and PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology).
• The candidates have a choice of appearing in any one or both examination groups.
• For seeking admission to First year Pharmacy/Pharm. D degree course it is mandatory for the candidate to appear for Physics, Chemistry as well as Mathematics and/or Biology.
• The examination is conducted at various centres across Maharashtra as well as outside Maharashtra State by Online mode (Computer Based Test) for PCM and PCB groups separately.
• The questions will be based on the syllabus of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education.

Let’s take a look at other important aspects of MHT-CET entrance exam: -

Eligibility for B. Pharmacy Admission 2020 

Pharmacy aspirants need to fulfil the following eligibility criteria before applying for MHT-CET: -

• Candidate must be an Indian.
• Candidates need to complete their higher secondary education i.e. 10+2 in the Science discipline with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and/or Biology.
• Passed 12^th board exam with 50% marks for General Category students and 45% marks for Reserved Category students.
• There is no age limit for appearing in MHT-CET exam.

How to apply for MHT-CET?

MHT-CET exam application is online and includes the following steps: -

• REGISTRATION- Creation of Username and Password

Applicationfor MHT-CET is done through an ONLINE APPLICATION FORM. The information brochure for MHT-CET 2020 and the user manual is available on the website- https://mhtcet2020.mahaonline.gov.in/Candidates need to create a username and password after going through this manual.

• APPLICATION- Filling up Application Form for MHT-CET

After filling up the application form candidates need to submit the form. It’s advisable to note downapplication numberfor future references. Candidates MUST review their Form details before payment of fees. These details can’t be edited once the payment is done.A candidate is allowed to submit only one application form. An application form can be rejected under following circumstances: -

• Incomplete application form/ missing details
• Application forms sent by post/courier
• Multiple application forms by one candidate

• UPLOADING PHOTOGRAPH AND SIGNATURE- Candidates must upload their recent photograph and signature in the Online system. They need to thoroughly read and follow the guidelines that will be given in the form before uploading the said files.

• PAYMENT OF FEES- Candidates can pay fees through Online Payment mode only. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable underany circumstances. If the candidate opts for only PCM or only PCB the fee for General Category is Rs.800/- and for Reserve Category is Rs.600/- If thecandidate opts for both the groups i.e. PCM and PCB the fee for General Category students is Rs. 1600/- and for Reserve Category students is: - Rs. 1200/-

• REGISTRATION PROCESS COMPLETION-

On successful payment of the application fee, a confirmation of the same will be displayed online. Candidates should print the receipt for future references.

MHT CET Admit Card

After the successful registration of the MHT-CET online form, the next step involves downloading the admit card. Students won’t be permitted to appear for the exam without this admit card. Hence, it’s mandatory to carry its printout along with a valid original ID proof for verification on the examination day. Colour xerox/ photocopy/softcopy of the ID proof documents WON’T be allowed. The following process should be followed for downloading the Admit card: -

• Visit https://mhtcet2020.mahaonline.gov.in/
• Log in to the respective account using Login id and password
• Download the admit card from the account

MHT-CET Exam Centres

The examination is conducted at various centres across Maharashtra as well as outside Maharashtra State by Online mode (Computer Based Test) for PCM and PCB groups separately. It will be conducted at all the district headquarters in Maharashtra as well as Capital Districts of the selected states outside Maharashtra including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi-NCR, Gujrat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The exams will be conducted based on the availability of candidates. The eligible candidates can select the examination centre of their choice while filling the application form. They should take note of the following things before selecting the examination centre:-

• The centre that’s allotted WON’T be changed later under any circumstances.
• Candidates that have opted for both PCM and PCB may get different examination centres for each group.

MHT-CET Exam Pattern

The MHT-CET exam will be conducted online. The duration of the exam will be 180 minutes each for PCM and PCB. The manner of the exam will be as follows: -

• All the questions will be based on the syllabus of Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. (Std. 11^th and std. 12^th)
• Std. 11^th syllabus will have 20% of weightage while Std. 12^th syllabus will have 80% weightage.
• The exam will contain all multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with 4 options each.
• There WON’T be negative marking
• For PCM-

This paper includes 2 groups- Physics- Chemistry and Mathematics. The first 90 minutes from the total 180 minutes will be allotted for Physics and Chemistry. After the completion and auto submission of which, the Mathematics group will be enabled for the remaining 90 minutes.

• For PCB-

This paper includes 2 groups- Physics- Chemistry and Biology. The first 90 minutes from the total 180 minutes will be allotted for Physics and Chemistry. After the completion and auto submission of which, the Biology group will be enabled for the remaining 90 minutes.

MHT CET Syllabus 

The syllabus of MHT CET will be as follows: -

• All the questions included will be set from the syllabus of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics subjects from Std. 11^th and 12^th.
• Following syllabus of Std. 11^th will be included in MHT CET: -
  • Physics- Measurements, Scalars and Vectors, Force, Friction in solids and liquids, Refraction of Light, Ray optics, Magnetic effect of electric current, Magnetism.
  • Chemistry- Some basic concepts of chemistry, States of matter: Gases and liquids, Redox reaction, Surface chemistry, Nature of chemical bond, Hydrogen, s-Block elements (Alkali and alkaline earth metals), Basic principles and techniques in organic chemistry, Alkanes.
  • Mathematics- Trigonometric functions, Trigonometric functions of Compound Angles, Factorization Formulae, Straight Line, Circle and Conics, Sets, Relations and Functions, Probability, Sequences and series.
  • Biology- Section I – Botany- Diversity in organisms, Biochemistry of cell, Plant Water Relations and Mineral Nutrition, Plant Growth and Development.

Section II – Zoology- Organization of Cell, Animal tissues, Human Nutrition, Human Respiration

• Whole syllabus of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology of std. 12^th will be included in MHT-CET exam.

MHT CET Result

• The students can check their MHT-CET results on https://mhtcet2020.mahaonline.gov.in/ website.
• MHT-CET results are declared in percentile form.
• Candidates appearing for both the groups i.e. PCMand PCB, should note that the scores from the two groups aren’t interchangeable.
• The results are usually announced somewhere between May and June.

MHT-CET General Exam Guidelines

Following are some of the general exam guidelines for MHT-CET exam that students need to follow: -

• No candidate will be allowed to enter the examination centre post the gate closure time.
• No extra time will be given to any candidate for completion of exam under any circumstances.
• Gadgets like cell-phones, calculators, watchcalculators, alarm clocks, digital/smartwatches with build-in calculators, any other electronic devices, WON’T be allowed inside the examination hall.
• Candidates WON’T be allowed to leave the exam hall before the completion of 180 minutes.
• Once a candidate leaves the examination hall, he/she WON’T be allowed to reenter the hall.
• Candidates who won’t follow the rules and regulations or use unfair means to clear the exam will be debarred from the examination and admission process of MHT-CET.

In recent times, India has become the ‘World’s Pharmacy’ due to its stellar track record,innovative drug-producing techniques, and capacity. In the year 2020, the Indian Pharmaceutical Sector holds an 85% share in the domestic market along with a 15% share in the global market. India has the potential to reign the global Pharmaceutical sector. Hence, a career in pharmacy is extremely lucrative with tremendous career expansion opportunities.

Advance your healthcare career with Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Pharmacy, Akurdi 

Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Pharmacy, Akurdi, provides a Facilitation center for enrolment of students post entrance exam facilitating the admission process. The Institute offers B. Pharm. degreeprogram, along with M. Pharm. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharm. D. programs to aspirants with state-of-art infrastructure, well equipped ultramodern laboratory and spacious ICT enabled classrooms, enriched conventional and digital library.  The college is catering to the need of society by providing a conducive environment for learning and developing a future Pharmacist to render contemporary services.  Know more about the program along with courses offered, admission process, fee structure, etc. You can also fill up an online form to get all the additional details. Register now and build your successful career in Pharmacy!