New Delhi, Sept. 30 -- The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has barred 89 pharmacy colleges in Maharashtra from admitting first-year students for the 2025-26 academic session, after inspections revealed lapses including insufficient teaching staff, as well as poor infrastructure and safety measures.

The move affects 71 diploma in pharmacy (D. Pharma) and 18 bachelor of pharmacy (B. Pharm) institutions in the state, according to documents reviewed by Mint and people familiar with matter.

The PCI is a statutory body under the Union ministry of health & family welfare and is responsible for regulating the pharmacy education and profession in the country.

The decision follows a 15 September letter from the government of Maharashtra to PCI, ...