GPAT 2027 exam pattern, syllabus, and weightage announced by NBEMS

In short

The GPAT 2027 exam will be a 3-hour Computer-Based Test (CBT) with 125 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for a total of 500 marks.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutics will each have 38 questions, accounting for 152 marks each, making up over 60% of the total marks.
The application process is expected to begin in December 2026, with the exam likely to be held in March 2027.
Candidates must hold a B.Pharm degree or be in their final year; B.Tech (Pharma) candidates are not eligible.
The GPAT score remains valid for three years from the date of result declaration.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), on behalf of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), has announced the expected exam pattern, syllabus, and subject-wise weightage for the Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) 2027. This national-level entrance examination is crucial for admission to M.Pharm programs across India and for eligibility for scholarships.

The GPAT 2027 will be conducted as an online Computer-Based Test (CBT), maintaining the structure NBEMS has consistently used since taking over the examination from the Pharmacy Council of India in 2024. The notification for GPAT 2027 is expected to be released in December 2026, with registration also commencing in December 2026 and concluding by January 2027. The admit cards are anticipated in March 2027, followed by the exam in March 2027.

GPAT 2027 Exam Structure and Marking Scheme

The GPAT 2027 examination will consist of 125 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) to be completed within a duration of 3 hours (180 minutes). The total marks for the exam are 500, with each correct answer fetching +4 marks. A negative marking scheme is in place, deducting -1 mark for every incorrect answer, while unattempted questions receive 0 marks. The exam will be conducted exclusively in English.

The GPAT score holds validity for three years from the date of result declaration. Eligibility criteria mandate candidates to possess a 4-year B.Pharm degree or be in their final year of B.Pharm. B.Tech (Pharma) candidates are explicitly stated as ineligible. There is no specified age limit, and candidates face no restriction on the number of attempts for the examination.

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	GPAT 2027 (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test)
Conducting Body	NBEMS on behalf of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)
Exam Mode	Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Course Offered	Admission to M.Pharm programmes
Total Questions	125 MCQs
Total Marks	500
Question Type	Multiple choice, 4 options, single correct answer
Duration	3 hours (180 minutes)
Marking Scheme	+4 for a correct answer, -1 for a wrong answer
Medium	English only
Score Validity	3 years from the date of result

Response Type	Marks Awarded
Correct Answer	+4 Marks
Incorrect Answer	-1 Mark
Unattempted Question	0 Marks

Subject-Wise Weightage and Key Areas

The GPAT 2027 syllabus is divided into five major categories, with Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutics holding the highest weightage. Each of these subjects will have 38 questions, contributing 152 marks individually, collectively accounting for over 60% of the total marks. Pharmacology will feature 28 questions for 112 marks, while Pharmacognosy will have 10 questions for 40 marks. The remaining 11 questions, totaling 44 marks, will cover other subjects.

Specific topics within these core subjects have also been outlined. For Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analysis, and Medicinal Chemistry are expected to have significant representation. In Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, Physical Pharmaceutics, and Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics are among the key areas. Pharmacology’s core topics, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Pathophysiology are also crucial. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, along with Herbal Drug Technology, form the bulk of the Pharmacognosy section.

Subject	Questions	Marks	Weightage
Pharmaceutics	38	152	30.4%
Pharmaceutical Chemistry	38	152	30.4%
Pharmacology	28	112	22.4%
Pharmacognosy	10	40	8.0%
Other Subjects	11	44	8.8%

Core Subject Group	Topic	Approx. Questions
Pharmaceutical Chemistry	Organic Chemistry	11
Pharmaceutical Chemistry	Pharmaceutical Analysis	10
Pharmaceutical Chemistry	Medicinal Chemistry	10
Pharmaceutical Chemistry	Biochemistry	6
Pharmaceutical Chemistry	Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry	1
Pharmaceutics	Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy	10
Pharmaceutics	Physical Pharmaceutics	8
Pharmaceutics	Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics	5
Pharmaceutics	Pharmaceutical Microbiology	5
Pharmaceutics	Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence	4
Pharmaceutics	Dispensing Pharmacy	3
Pharmaceutics	Pharmaceutical Engineering	2
Pharmaceutics	Novel Drug Delivery System	1
Pharmacology	Core Pharmacology topics	18 (approx.)
Pharmacology	Human Anatomy and Physiology	7
Pharmacology	Pathophysiology	3
Pharmacognosy	Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry	9
Pharmacognosy	Herbal Drug Technology	1

Application Process and Expected Cutoffs

The official registration dates for GPAT 2027 will be announced by NBEMS in the official information bulletin. The application process involves several steps: visiting the official website (natboard.edu.in), new registration, logging in with credentials, filling out the application form, uploading necessary documents, and paying the application fee. Candidates are advised to prepare their documents in advance to avoid last-minute rush.

For GPAT 2026, approximately 5,362 out of 53,617 candidates were declared qualified, indicating a qualification rate of close to 10%. While NBEMS does not conduct a centralized counselling process, qualified candidates apply individually to various institutes for M.Pharm admissions. The expected cutoffs for GPAT 2027 are projected to be between 140-160 for the General category, 120-140 for OBC, and 80-110 for SC/ST categories.