TNPSC Drug Inspector · Tamil Nadu State Recruitment
🔬 TNPSC Drug Inspector Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Drug Inspector under the Tamil Nadu Drug Control Administration, recruited via the TNPSC Combined Technical Services Examination (Post Code 1972). This is the full Code 516 subject-paper syllabus.
Last updated: 7 August 2026 · Always cross-check against the latest official TNPSC notification.
Looking for the central government route instead? See our UPSC / CDSCO Drug Inspector page — a separate recruitment with its own eligibility, pattern and syllabus.
At a Glance
Quick Facts
| Conducting Body | Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) |
|---|---|
| Post | Drug Inspector (Post Code 1972), Drug Control Administration |
| Level | Tamil Nadu State Government |
| Qualification | Degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Medicine with specialization in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology, from a UGC-recognized University/Institution |
| Exam Mode | Paper I — OMR (Tamil Eligibility, General Studies, Aptitude); Paper II — CBT (Code 516 subject paper) |
| Official Notification | tnpsc.gov.in — latest CTSE notification |
| Official Syllabus | tnpsc.gov.in — official syllabus (Annexure III) |
Eligibility
Who Can Apply
Must possess a degree in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Medicine with specialization in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology, from a University or Institution recognized by the UGC. Notified under the TNPSC Combined Technical Services Examination (Non-Interview Posts) — always check the specific notification for age limit and category-wise relaxation.
Exam Pattern
How the Exam is Structured
200 QsPaper II, CBT
3 hrsduration
300 markssubject paper
450 markstotal incl. Paper I
Full Syllabus
TNPSC Drug Inspector Syllabus — Subject by Subject
Tap a subject to expand. This is the complete official syllabus, not a summary.
Unit I — Pharmacy Foundations, Calculations & Pharmaceutics20 Qs▾
- 1) Historical background and development of profession of pharmacy: History of profession of Pharmacy in India in relation to pharmacy education, industry and organization, Pharmacy as a career, Pharmacopoeias: Introduction to IP, BP, USP and Extra Pharmacopoeia.
- 2) Calculations: Posology — Pediatric Dose calculations based on age, body weight and surface area. Pharmaceutical calculations — Percentage solutions, Alligation, Proof spirit and isotonic solutions based on freezing point and molecular weight.
- 3) Unit Operations: Size reduction, Size separation, Mixing, Filtration, Centrifugation, Evaporation, Drying, Distillation, Heat transfer, Tablet Compression and Tablet coating.
- 4) Coarse Dispersion: Suspension, interfacial properties of suspended particles, settling in suspensions, formulation of flocculated and deflocculated suspension. Emulsions and theories of emulsification, micro emulsion and multiple emulsion, stability of emulsions, preservation of emulsions, rheological properties of emulsions and emulsion formation by HLB method.
- 5) Pre-formulation studies: Introduction to pre-formulation, goals and objectives, study of physicochemical characteristics of drug substances — (a) Physical Properties: Crystal & amorphous form, particle size distribution and determination, shape, flow properties, derived properties, solubility profile (Pka, pH, Partition co-efficient), Polymorphism; (b) Chemical properties: Hydrolysis, Oxidation, reduction, racemisation, polymerisation. BCS classification of drugs and its significance. Application of preformulation considerations in the development of solid, liquid oral and parenteral dosage forms and its impact on stability of dosage forms.
- 6) Pharmaceutical Excipients — Used in Liquid, Semisolids and Solid dosage forms.
- 7) Quality Control Tests of the following formulations: Oral Solid dosage forms, Semi solids, Oral Liquid dosage forms, Parenteral, Ophthalmic preparation and Pharmaceutical Aerosols.
- 8) Cosmetics: Formulation and preparation of the following cosmetics preparations — Lipsticks, Shampoos, Cold Cream, Vanishing Cream, Tooth Paste, Hair Dyes, Sunscreens.
- 9) Packaging Material Sciences: Materials used for packaging of Pharmaceutical products, factors influencing choice of containers, legal and official requirement for containers, Quality control tests for containers and rubber closures.
- 10) Bioavailability and Bioequivalence: Definitions and objectives of Bioavailability, absolute and relative bioavailability, measurement of bioavailability, in-vitro drug dissolution models, in-vitro-in-vivo correlations, bioequivalence studies, methods to enhance dissolution rates and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
Unit II — Pharmacokinetics, Quality Systems & Industrial Pharmacy15 Qs▾
- 1) Pharmacokinetics: Definition and introduction of Pharmacokinetics, Compartment models, Non-compartment models, Physiological models, One compartment open model — (a) Intravenous Injection (bolus), (b) Intravenous infusion, (c) Extra vascular administrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters — Elimination rate constant (KE), Half life (t1/2), Volume of distribution (Vd), Area under curve (AUC), Absorption rate constant (Ka), Total body clearance (CLt) and Renal Clearance (CLR) — definitions, methods of elimination, understanding of their significance and application.
- 2) Good manufacturing practices (GMP)
- 3) Good Laboratory Practices (GLP): Organisation and personnel, Facilities, equipment, Testing facilities operation, Test and control articles, Protocol for conduct of a Nonclinical Laboratory Study, Records and reports, Disqualification of Testing facilities.
- 4) Warehousing: Good Warehousing practice, Materials Management.
- 5) Quality management systems: Quality management and certification — concept of quality, Total Quality Management, Quality by Design (QbD), Six Sigma concept, Out Of Specifications (OOS), Change control, Introduction to ISO 9000 series of quality system standards, ISO 14000, NABL.
- 6) Over the counter (OTC) Sales: Introduction and sale of over the counter and Rational use of common over the counter medications.
- 7) Drug Store Management and Inventory Control: Organisation of Drug Store, types of materials stocked and storage conditions. Purchase and inventory control — Principles, Purchase procedures, Purchase order, Procurement and stocking, Economic order quantity, Reorder quantity level and methods used for the analysis of the drug expenditure.
- 8) Novel Drug Delivery Systems: Ocular Drug Delivery Systems, Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems, Implantable Newer Drug Delivery Systems, Targeted Drug Delivery and Controlled Drug Delivery Systems.
- 9) Blood products and Plasma Substitutes: Collection, Processing and Storage of whole human blood, dried human plasma, plasma Substitutes.
- 10) Fermentation methods and general requirements, study of media, equipments, sterilization methods, aeration process, stirring. Large scale production fermenter design and its various controls. Study of the production of — Penicillins, Citric acid, Vitamin B12, Glutamic acid, Griseofulvin.
Unit III — General Microbiology & Immunology15 Qs▾
- 1. Morphology, classification and identification of Bacteria, Virus, Fungus & Parasite
2. Normal microbial flora & Bacterial genetics
3. Culture Media & Equipments in Microbiology Laboratory
4. Sterilization and disinfection
5. Testing of Sterilization & disinfection including sterility testing of pharmaceutical products
6. Bio Safety in Microbiology Laboratory
7. Cultivation of Bacteria
8. Structures, Cells and functions of Immune system
9. The complement system
10. Antigen-Antibody reactions
11. Hypersensitivity
12. Tumour Immunity & Immuno Haematology
13. Immuno Prophylaxis against infectious Diseases
14. Immunotherapy
Unit IV — Clinical & Applied Microbiology20 Qs▾
- 1. C.N.S infections
2. Respiratory Infections
3. Urinary Tract Infections
4. Gastro intestinal Infections
5. Genital Tract Infections
6. Congenital Infections
7. Infections of Eye, Ear & Skin
8. Infections of Cardio vascular System
9. Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (P.U.O)
10. Zoonotic Infections
11. Collection, Transport and Disposal of Specimens
12. Environmental Microbiology (Food, Water, Milk and Air)
13. Microbial Control — anti microbial susceptibility testing
14. Microbiological Assays for Standardisation of Antibiotics and Vitamins
15. Bio medical waste management
16. Emerging and re-emerging infections — Bio Terrorism
17. Advanced Molecular Techniques in Relation to Diagnosis of Infectious diseases & Basic molecular biology related to infections
18. Anti microbial resistance and antibiotic policy
19. Newer Vaccines
20. Quality Control, Audit and Accreditation of Standard Microbiology Laboratory
Unit V — Analytical Foundations15 Qs▾
- 1. Atomic structure and valency, Radioactivity, Radio isotopes and Pharmaceutical applications of Radio Pharmaceuticals, hazards and precautions.
2. Sources of impurities in Pharmaceutical substances: Limit test as per I.P; Fundamentals of volumetric Analysis. Errors: Sources, types, methods of minimizing errors, Accuracy, Precision, significant figures.
3. A systematic study of inorganic compounds for their preparation, assay and use which includes Gastrointestinal agents, Topical agents and Dental products.
4. Preparation and use of Chemical reagents and Volumetric Solutions as per Pharmacopeia in Pharmaceutical Analysis.
Unit VI — Instrumental & Advanced Analysis25 Qs — Highest in Sciences▾
- 1. Principles and Pharmacopoeial Assay Procedures involving Non-aqueous Titration, Redox, Diazotization, complexometric methods, electrometric titration, gravimetric analysis.
2. Chromatography — Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Column, Paper, Gas Chromatography (GC), Ion exchange, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), Gel electrophoresis.
3. Theory, principle, instrumentation and applications of colorimetry, UV-Visible Spectrophotometry, Spectrofluorimetry, Nepheloturbidometry, Infra-Red (IR), Mass, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Radio Immuno Assay (RIA), Polarimetry, Refractometry, Thermal method of analysis — Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Atomic absorption spectroscopy.
4. ICH guidelines — Calibration and validation, calibration of electronic balance, UV spectrophotometer, IR spectrophotometer, Fluorimeter, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Flame photometer.
Unit VII — General Pharmacology, PNS/ANS/CNS & Cardiovascular20 Qs▾
- 1) General Pharmacology: Sources of drugs, Routes of drug administration, Dosage formulations, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics — Good Clinical Practice, Patient compliance and self medication, Placebo medicines and pharmacoeconomics. Discovery and development of drugs — Preclinical studies in animals, Clinical trials, Official regulatory guidelines. Orphan drugs, Pharmacovigilance — Pharmacogenetics, Adverse drug reactions and monitoring, Clinical importance of drug interactions (both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions with special reference to antimicrobials, NSAIDS and cardiovascular drugs).
- 2) Drugs Acting on Nervous System — Central Nervous System: General anaesthetics and Pre anaesthetic medication — Antiepileptics — Sedatives and Hypnotics — Alcohols and disulfiram — Psychopharmacological drugs (Anti-Psychotics, Anti-depressants, anti-anxiety agents, anti-manic and hallucinogens) — CNS Stimulants — Neurodegenerative disorders — De-addiction — Drugs of abuse, drug tolerance and drug dependence.
- 3) Peripheral Nervous System & Autonomic Nervous System: Neurohumoral transmission in Autonomic nervous system, Para Sympathomimetics, Parasympatholytics, Sympathomimetics, Sympatholytics, neuromuscular blocking agents, Skeletal muscle relaxants (peripheral), Local anaesthetic agents, Drugs used in Myasthenia gravis and glaucoma.
- 4) Cardiovascular Drugs: Drugs used in congestive heart failure, Anti-hypertensive drugs, Anti-Anginal Drugs, Anti-arrhythmic drugs, Hypolipidemic Drugs, Drugs used in the therapy of shock.
- 5) Drugs Acting on Hemopoeitic and Renal System: Haematinics — Coagulants & Anticoagulants — Fibrinolytics & Antifibrinolytics — Antiplatelets — Diuretics.
Unit VIII — GIT, Endocrine, Chemotherapy & Bio-Assay20 Qs▾
- 1) Drugs Acting on the Gastro Intestinal System: Anti-ulcer agents, Drugs for constipation and diarrhea, appetite stimulants and Suppressants, Digestants and carminatives, Emetics and anti-emetics.
- 2) Drugs Acting on Endocrine System: Anterior pituitary Hormones — Thyroid Hormones — Corticosteroids — Insulin & Oral Hypoglycemic drugs — Male & Female sex Hormones — Oral contraceptives — Uterine stimulants & relaxants.
- 3) Immunopharmacology & Autacoids: Cell and biochemical mediators involved in allergy, immuno-modulation and inflammation, hypersensitivity reactions — therapeutic agents for allergy, asthma and COPD — NSAIDs & DMARDs & gout — Antihistamines — Serotonin agonists & Antagonists.
- 4) Chemotherapy: General Principles of Chemotherapy, Sulfonamides and co-trimoxazole, Antibiotics: Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Chloramphenicol, macrolides, Quinolones and fluoroquinolones, tetracycline and aminoglycosides, Anti-tubercular agents, Anti-leprotic agents, Anti-fungal agents, Anti-viral drugs, Anthelmintics, Anti-malarial drugs, Anti-amoebic agents, Urinary tract infection and sexually transmitted diseases, Chemotherapy of malignancy.
- 5) Bio-Assay: Principles and applications of Bio-assay, types of bio-assay, bio-assay of insulin, oxytocin, Vasopressin, ACTH, d-tubocurarine, digitalis, histamine and 5HT.
- 6) Miscellaneous: Vaccines — Dermatological preparations — Chelating Agents.
Unit IX — Pharmacognosy20 Qs▾
- 1. Alphabetical, Morphological, Taxonomical, Chemical and Pharmacological classification of crude drugs.
2. Adulteration and evaluation of drugs of natural origin. WHO guidelines for the assessment of herbal drugs.
3. General introduction, composition, chemistry and chemical classification, general methods of extraction and analysis, bio-sources, therapeutic uses and commercial application of the following secondary metabolites — (a) Alkaloids: Vinca, Rauwolfia, Belladonna, Opium; (b) Steroids, Cardiac Glycosides and Triterpenoids: Liquorice, Dioscorea, Digitalis; (c) Glycosides: Senna, Aloes; (d) Tannins: Black & Pale catechu; (e) Volatile oils: Mentha, Clove, Cinnamon, Fennel, Coriander; (f) Resins: Benzoin, Ginger, Asafoetida, Colophony.
4. Isolation, Identification and Analysis of the following phytoconstituents — (i) Terpenoids: Menthol, Citral, Artemisin; (ii) Glycosides: Glycyrrhetenic acid, Rutin; (iii) Alkaloids: Atropine, Quinine, Reserpine, Caffeine; (iv) Resins: Podophyllotoxin, Curcumin.
5. Homeopathy: Introduction, Basic principles, Preparation and evaluation of Various Dosage forms of homeopathy system of medicine.
6. Marine Drugs: Novel Medicinal agents from marine sources.
7. Herbal Cosmetics: Sources and description of raw material of herbal origin used via fixed oils, waxes, gums, colours, perfumes, protective agents, bleaching agents, antioxidants in products such as skin care, hair care and oral hygiene products.
Unit X — Pharmacy Law & Regulatory Framework30 Qs — Highest Weightage▾
- The single highest-weightage unit for a Drug Inspector role, covering the exact Acts an Inspector will enforce:
- 1. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (as amended from time to time)
2. The Drugs Rules, 1945 (as amended from time to time)
3. The Cosmetics Rules, 2020 (as amended from time to time)
4. The Medical Devices Rules, 2017 (as amended from time to time)
5. The New Drugs and Clinical Trials (NDCT) Rules, 2019 (as amended from time to time)
6. The Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013 (as amended from time to time)
7. The Pharmacy Act, 1948 (as amended from time to time)
8. The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954 and Rules, 1955 (as amended from time to time)
9. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and Rules, 1985 (as amended from time to time)
Previous Year Questions
TNPSC Drug Inspector PYQs & Model Tests — Free, Direct Access
3 real compiled exam papers (2009, 2019 & Paper 429) plus 3 full-syllabus Model Tests, 200 questions each, with explanations. Free to attempt — a quick account sign-up is required.
More Resources
Exam Details & Preparation
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TNPSC Drug Inspector syllabus?
The TNPSC Drug Inspector subject paper (Code 516 — Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacology and Micro Biology) is organised into 10 units: Pharmacy Foundations & Pharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics & Quality Systems, General Microbiology & Immunology, Clinical & Applied Microbiology, Analytical Foundations, Instrumental & Advanced Analysis, General/CNS/Cardiovascular Pharmacology, GIT/Endocrine/Chemotherapy, Pharmacognosy, and Pharmacy Law. See the full unit-by-unit breakdown above.
What is the TNPSC Drug Inspector exam pattern?
Paper I (Tamil Eligibility, General Studies, Aptitude & Mental Ability) is 150 marks via OMR. Paper II (Code 516 subject paper) is 200 questions, 3 hours, 300 marks, via CBT. Total is 450 marks.
Which unit carries the highest weightage in TNPSC Drug Inspector?
Unit X — Pharmacy Law — carries 30 questions, the highest of any single unit, covering the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Pharmacy Act, NDPS Act, Medical Devices Rules and related regulations.
Is TNPSC Drug Inspector the same as UPSC Drug Inspector?
No — they are separate recruitments. TNPSC recruits for Tamil Nadu's Drug Control Administration under the state government; UPSC recruits centrally for CDSCO. See our dedicated UPSC Drug Inspector page for that syllabus.
Where can I find the official TNPSC Drug Inspector syllabus?
The official syllabus is published as Annexure III of the TNPSC Combined Technical Services Examination notification on tnpsc.gov.in — always confirm against the latest notification.
Official Sources
Verify Directly
TNPSC: tnpsc.gov.in — Combined Technical Services Examination notifications and syllabus.
This page is maintained by Pharma Insights Academy as a study aid. TNPSC's own website remains the authority for recruitment-specific details.