PCI Mandates Aadhaar Based Biometric Attendance 

PharmaGenDRx News Bureau- 27th August,2025

7:00 PM IST

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) functioning under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHFW) has issued a decisive directive mandating the implementation of the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance system (AEBAS) in all PCI approved pharmacy institutions.

As per the Gazette Notification released in November 2024 and guidelines published in January 2024 institutions recognized under PCI were instructed to procure STQC-certified biometric devices by February 2025 and upload installation details including invoices and QR codes on DIGI-PHARMed portal.

This move was aimed at ensuring transparency, curbing duplication of faculty and strengthening academic accountability.A directive was released in June 2025 underscoring urgency of full compliance to the given order.

Recently on 21st August update serves as a reminder that non-compliance to the given directive remains untenable. If AEBAS was not implemented the institutional approvals may be suspended. PCI thus continues to maintain standard pharmacy education across the country.

By Sharon Bose & Arundhuti Chatterjee