Overview of Pharmacy License Registration in Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, operating a pharmacy or a business that sells, stocks or distributes medicines requires adherence to the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the corresponding Rules. This guide explains — in clear, properly cited 2025 terms — the meaning of “pharmacy license” in UP, types of licences, eligibility requirements, documents needed, fees, and validity, as well as the step-by-step process of applying through state and national online portals. Where there may be variation in law or procedure by type of licence or district, I will direct you to the appropriate regulator for review before filing.
What is a Pharmacy License?
Generally, "pharmacy license" refers to the legal permission to sell, stock, show or dispense medicines. In India, these permissions are managed in accordance with the Drugs & Cosmetics Act (1940) and the Drugs Rules (1945). Depending on the activity, the license may be premises for legal retail sale (medical/chemist shop), consignment/wholesale distribution or warehouse import/export — each with different forms, conditions and technical aspects. For most retail/wholesale-related activities, the licensing authority is the State Drug Controller, or the online application for a license via the ONDLS. Some permissions about manufacturing/import will be managed by the central regulators.
Types of Pharmacy Licenses in Uttar Pradesh
Overall, you will find these categories of licences listed below:
Retail Drug Licence (Form 20 / 21) — for the single pharmacy/medical store selling directly to consumers.
Wholesale Drug Licence (Form 20B / 21B and other) — a business supplying medicines to retailers, hospitals or institutions in bulk.
Manufacturing Licence (Form 28 / 29 / 30 series) — required if you are starting a business to manufacture drugs or formulations.
Special/restricted licences — for sale of certain schedules (e.g. Schedule X, psychotropic drugs) or for Ayurvedic/Homoeopathic, where separate conditions apply.
The details of the correct "Form number" and conditions are provided in the Drugs Rules, and for online submissions, the unified Uttar Pradesh Drug Control (State) portal / ONDLS will be your clearly termed operational space online. When you first start the application, make sure to choose the correct licence class (retail vs wholesale vs manufacturing) as the required documents and inspections will be different.
Pharmacy License Registration Fees in Uttar Pradesh
While state practice may differ slightly, and even change over time, nearly all UP district authorities will allow you to pay government application fees online for retail, wholesale and manufacturing since 2025 through the ONDL/State FDA portal. You will typically see a few hundred to a few thousand rupee fee cost for retail licenses, and, in most states, you may find the cost (if you can even find that fee) tends to be higher for wholesale or manufacturing licenses, depending on the category of retailer or manufacturer and level of volume. There may also be some additional statutory fees you see in some states associated with other aspects (i.e. inspection fees, lab testing fees (if you requested the samples), and verification fees). These amounts should give you a baseline; however, you will need to check the current UP Drug control / ONDL payment page for that specific district or the appropriate district office before you pay.
Validity and Renewal for Pharmacy License Registration in Uttar Pradesh
The length of time licensed is contingent on the license type and the Order as per the Rules. Many retail and wholesale licenses are issued for a specific term, after which renewal would be necessary, although certain categories or older forms may have different validity period provisions under the Rules. Renewal must be submitted through the same online portal as the initial grant (ONDLS / State FDA) and well in advance of any expiry to avoid penalties or suspension. As the Drugs Rules recently underwent consolidation (amendments until 2024) and states may also pass through transitional arrangements for a license, always check the specific time period of validity indicated on your grant letter for your license and on the UP portal.
Eligibility Criteria for Pharmacy License Registration in Uttar Pradesh
Retail pharmacy: The applicant must be a person who will manage the shop and hire a “competent person,” which usually is a pharmacist (D.Pharm or B.Pharm) who is registered with the State Pharmacy Council. If the owner is not the technical person, the shop must formally appoint a registered pharmacist as a responsible person.
Wholesale: The firm must have an in-charge who meets the education/ experience criteria as outlined in the Rules (i.e. a pharmacist or a person who has a number of years’ experience with wholesale distribution of drugs).
Premises: The premises must meet minimum norms for storage, ventilation and record keeping and must only be used for the sale of medicines. The retail storage area must not be cluttered with residential items. More detailed premises conditions can be found in the rules and as checklists in the local licensing process.
Always keep in mind: The pharmacist must be registered with the State Pharmacy Council (in UP, the Uttar Pradesh Pharmacy Council does this — there are online services too). If you do not have a registered pharmacist, your application will be denied, or you will be asked to make arrangements for one before a grant will be made.
Documents Required for Pharmacy License in Uttar Pradesh
The documents required will vary slightly by license and district, but the list should include the following in most cases:
Proof of identity (ID, AADHAR, etc.) and a recent passport photo of the applicant.
Proof of business premises (sale deed or lease and land/site plan depicting the area for storage, counter, sink, and ventilation).
The degree or other qualification certificate, and the license/registration certificate of the pharmacist (pharmacist registration at the State Pharmacy Council).
An affidavit of ownership/non-conversion and a power of attorney if someone applies for you.
Proof of fee payment - normally a receipt or screenshot.
The prescribed forms (Form 19/20/21 or state authorisations and signed as appropriate.
Additional declarations are subject to the sale of Schedule H / X drugs if applicable.
If you have not yet applied, it is worth downloading the specific checklist of documents from the UP Drug Control or ONDLS form page, where the application form is located — missing or improper documents are one of the most common barriers to completing.
How to Apply for a Pharmacy License in Uttar Pradesh?
1. Choose your license type (retail/wholesale/manufacturing).
2. Register on the ONDLS / UP Drugs Control online platform and create an account. (Note: Many District-level services have been transferred to the national ONDLS platform; some districts will still be using the state portal - use the portal identified on the UP Drug Control / State FDA page.).
3. Fill the correct Form online (upload scanned documents, pharmacist registration certificate, premises documents).
4. Pay application fees online through the portal payment gateway.
5. Drug Inspector visit or physical inspection - After preliminary scrutiny of documents, the Drug Inspector will ultimately visit the premises. You should keep the originals of all documents referenced earlier for verification at the inspection.
6. Grant of licence: If successful in inspection and verification, the Licence is then issued at the portal for your download - display this licence at your premises. If there are questions, the portal or the Drug Inspector will indicate the next steps.
Conclusion
Before applying for your drug license, ensure that you verify the fees, exact form numbers, and validity on the ONDLS / Uttar Pradesh Drug Control portal for your district. While online consultant pages will often state approximately what the fees will be (around ?3,000 for a retail application), many quote typical fees - state portals dictate the final fees.
Be sure to register the pharmacist first, with the Uttar Pradesh Pharmacy Council (the pharmacist registration and renewal and transfer service is available). Your license process will be held up without a registered pharmacist.
Retain records and sale registers for a period of five years (Rules require keeping records of your transactions. You will want to be familiar with the requirements regarding selling prescription-only medicines (Schedule H/H1/X), as not complying with the conditions around selling medications will result in strict consequences.
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