Checklist
Documents required
- 1PAN card of applicant / firm
- 2Aadhaar of proprietor / partners / directors
- 3Constitution proof — Partnership Deed / Certificate of Incorporation
- 4Address proof of premises — rent agreement / sale deed / electricity bill
- 5Approved site plan and key plan of premises (minimum 10 sqm retail, 10 sqm wholesale)
- 6Refrigerator purchase invoice (mandatory for storage of vaccines / insulin)
- 7Registered Pharmacist's degree, registration certificate and appointment letter (retail only)
- 8Competent person's degree and experience certificate (wholesale: graduate + 1 yr or undergraduate + 4 yr)
- 9Affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper declaring non-conviction under Drugs & Cosmetics Act
- 10Cover letter on letterhead and Form 19 / 19A application
Process
Step-by-step process
- 1Lease premises with carpet area of at least 10 square metres
- 2Engage a Registered Pharmacist (retail) or qualified Competent Person (wholesale)
- 3Register on the J&K e-Services portal under Food & Drugs Administration
- 4Fill Form 19 (allopathic / homeopathic) or Form 19A (restricted) online
- 5Upload all documents as PDF under 2 MB each
- 6Pay the government fee online — ₹3,000 per form (retail and wholesale on same premises = ₹6,000)
- 7Drug Inspector visits the premises for verification within 30–60 days
- 8Respond to any deficiency notice within 30 days
- 9Receive Drug License in Form 20 / 21 (retail) or Form 20B / 21B (wholesale), valid 5 years
- 10Renew before expiry — late renewal attracts heavy penalty and possible re-inspection
As of 2026
Fees & timeline
| Retail Drug License (Form 20 / 21) | ₹3,000 · 30–60 days |
|---|---|
| Wholesale Drug License (Form 20B / 21B) | ₹3,000 · 30–60 days |
| Retail + Wholesale on same premises | ₹6,000 · 30–60 days |
| Restricted License (Form 20A / 21A) | ₹1,500 · 30 days |
| Validity | 5 years (renewable) |
| Late renewal penalty | +₹500 per month after expiry |
Figures reviewed as of September 2026. Government fees may change without notice.
Frequently asked questions
- Yes. A retail drug license (Form 20 / 21) cannot be granted in Jammu without a full-time Registered Pharmacist whose name is enrolled with the J&K State Pharmacy Council. The pharmacist must be physically present during business hours.
- The minimum carpet area is 10 square metres for a retail or wholesale medical shop, and 15 square metres if the premises is used for both retail and wholesale. A refrigerator is mandatory for stocking thermolabile drugs like vaccines and insulin.
- End-to-end, a drug license in Jammu typically takes 30–60 working days, including the mandatory Drug Inspector visit. Delays are usually due to incomplete pharmacist documentation or premises not meeting the 10 sqm requirement.
- Form 20 is for retail sale of allopathic drugs other than those specified in Schedules C and C(1). Form 21 is for retail sale of drugs specified in Schedules C and C(1) — biological products like vaccines, insulin and sera. Most retail chemists hold both Form 20 and Form 21 together.