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The Union ministry of health and family welfare has called for applications from eligible candidates for the post of Drugs Controller General (India) on deputation, including short term contract (ISTC), in an attempt to bring in a new head to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
The current Drugs Controller General (India) (DCGI) Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, who took charge as the DCGI on February 23, 2023, is on an extension after his superannuation on February 28, 2025. The Ministry has in August, 2024, invited applications to the post, but later withdrew the invitation in October, 2025 due to administrative reasons.
In a latest advertisement on August 1, the Ministry has invited applications from eligible candidates for the post at Group A, level 14 (Rs 1,44,200-2,18,200) in the pay matrix, directing the cadre authorities or heads of department to forward the applications of eligible and willing candidates within 60 days from the date of publication of the advertisement.
It may be noted that the Ministry has in April, this year, amended the recruitment rules for appointment of DCGI by deputation ISTC with revised eligibility and qualification criteria, among others.
The new recruitment rules dated April 20, 2026, published in the Gazette of India came into force suppressing the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation [Drugs Controller (India)] Recruitment Rules, 2011.
Officers of central government or state government or union territory administration or autonomous body or statutory organisation, or public sector undertakings or recognised university or recognised research institutions holding analogous posts on a regular basis in the parent cadre or department are eligible to apply to the post, officers with two years service rendered after appointment to the post on a regular basis in level 13A or equivalent; or officers on a regular basis with three years service in level – 13 or equivalent; or officers with eight years service on a regular basis in level – 12 or equivalent in the parent cadre or department are eligible to apply to the post.
One of the major revisions in terms of recruitment rules compared to the 2011 rules is in terms of qualification of the candidate. While the 2011 rules allow graduate degree in pharmacy or pharmaceutical chemistry or in Medicine with specialisation in clinical pharmacology or microbiology from recognised university in India to apply for the post, along with post graduate degree as an eligibility, the amended rules stipulates that the candidates should have master's degree in certain courses for eligibility.
The essential qualifications, according to the new recruitment rules, is "master’s degree in bio-medical engineering or chemical engineering or bio-technology or mechanical engineering or electrical engineering or electronics engineering or instrumentation engineering or polymer engineering or computer science engineering or medical electronics engineering or pharmacy or pharmaceutical engineering or pharmaceutical sciences or bio- chemistry or chemistry or life sciences or medicine with specialisation in clinical pharmacology or medicine with specialisation in microbiology from a recognised university or institute."
Fifteen years experience in manufacturing or testing or regulation or clinical trials or clinical investigations either in drugs or medical devices or enforcement of the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940) and rules made thereunder is also an essential qualification.
Doctor of Philosophy in relevant fields already specified is desirable. Earlier, two years' experience in dealing with problems connected with drugs standardisation and control and import and export of drugs and administration of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules was also considered as desirable, while it has been omitted in the amended rules.
The maximum age-limit for appointment by deputation (ISTC) shall ordinarily not exceed 58 years as on the closing date of receipt of applications, and the period of deputation shall ordinarily not exceed five years, including the period of deputation (ISTC) in another ex-cadre post held immediately preceding this appointment in the same or some other organisation or department of the Central government.
It may be noted that the Central government approved reappointment of Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi as the Drugs Controller (India), heading the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), on a contract period for a period of one more year on contact basis with effect from March 1, 2026. The reappointment was approved by keeping the recruitment rules for the post in abeyance.
This was the second extension for Raghuvanshi in the post of Drugs Controller General (India) (DCGI). The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, has in February, 2025, issued an order extending his tenure till the end of February, 2026.
The re-appointment came at a juncture where the CDSCO is spearheading strict implementation of revised Schedule M across the pharma industry.
The extension to Raghuvanshi has raised criticism from certain corners. The move was also questioned in the Madras High Court, alleging that tit is in violation of the recruitment rules. According to reports, the Central government, while defending the decision, justified the extension stating that there was no other suitable successor for the post and that the post cannot be kept vacant owing to its importance.
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