Every Medicine Has a Story. Samira from Badakhshan Chose to Be Part of It.

Suraj Gurav

— 13 min read
Every Medicine Has a Story. Samira from Badakhshan Chose to Be Part of It.
Study Pharmacy in Maharashtra: Samira's Story from Badakhshan | fn.mahacet.org
2026-27 Guide for Afghan Students

Every Medicine Has a Story. Samira from Badakhshan Chose to Be Part of It.

Samira from Badakhshan is studying Bachelor of Pharmacy at Vidya Bharati College of Pharmacy in Maharashtra through fn.mahacet.org. No entrance exam. 12th marks only. Seven clear application steps. No agent. This is how she got here.

B.Pharm , 4 Years No Entrance Exam USD $1,200 Total Portal Fee Direct Application Government Portal
10 May 2026 Study in Maharashtra B.Pharm Pharmacy Afghan Students fn.mahacet.org

Samira is from Badakhshan province in northeastern Afghanistan. She studies Bachelor of Pharmacy at Vidya Bharati College of Pharmacy, Maharashtra, through fn.mahacet.org , the Government of Maharashtra's official Foreign Candidate Registration Portal.

Her reason for choosing pharmacy is something she can state simply. Every medicine in a pharmacy has a story behind it. How the molecule was designed. How the formulation was developed. How it was tested for safety and efficacy. How it travels from manufacturer to patient. She wants to understand that story from the inside , not as a patient or a consumer of the medicine system, but as a professional who contributes to it.

"Every medicine in a pharmacy has a story behind it. I want to be part of that story."
, Samira, Badakhshan

What Bachelor of Pharmacy Covers

Bachelor of Pharmacy is a four-year undergraduate program covering the full range of pharmaceutical sciences. The curriculum includes:

  • Pharmaceutical Chemistry , the molecular science of drug compounds and synthesis
  • Pharmacology , how drugs act on the body's biological systems
  • Pharmaceutics , the science of formulating active compounds into deliverable medicines
  • Pharmacognosy , medicines derived from natural sources
  • Clinical Pharmacy , how pharmacists work directly in patient care settings
  • Pharmacy Practice and Law , the regulatory and professional framework

A B.Pharm graduate understands a medicine at multiple levels simultaneously , its molecular structure, its mechanism of action, its formulation, its regulatory status, and its clinical applications. This breadth is what makes a pharmacist different from other healthcare professionals.

Important for Afghan Students: For B.Pharm, the 12th grade requirement is English as one subject, along with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology. Students from open schooling or non-formal school systems are not eligible. No entrance exam is required.

Why Afghanistan Needs More Pharmacists

Afghanistan's pharmacy sector has significant gaps at every level. Community pharmacies exist across Afghan cities but are often staffed by people without formal pharmacy training. Hospital pharmacy departments are limited in both number and the depth of clinical practice they offer. The regulatory framework for pharmaceutical quality control is still developing. The supply chain for medicines relies heavily on imports.

Each of these gaps represents an area where trained pharmacists are needed. B.Pharm provides the foundational qualification for community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, quality control, regulatory affairs, and pharmaceutical manufacturing roles. Samira is building that foundation at Vidya Bharati College of Pharmacy.

How to Apply Through fn.mahacet.org , All 7 Steps

fn.mahacet.org is the Government of Maharashtra's official Foreign Candidate Registration Portal, operated by the State Common Entrance Test Cell. The application follows seven clear steps.

  1. Register and upload documents. Create your account on fn.mahacet.org. Upload your valid passport, 12th grade academic certificates (with English, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology), and a passport-size photograph.
  2. Select college and course preferences. Use the portal's search filters to find Bachelor of Pharmacy programs. Add Vidya Bharati College of Pharmacy or other institutions to your preferences list.
  3. Pay the Provisional Eligibility Fee , USD $50. This is the first mandatory payment. It is paid through the CCAvenue gateway on the portal. Foreign currency accepted. Non-refundable.
  4. Eligibility review by the fn.mahacet.org team. After payment, the team reviews your uploaded documents and academic qualifications against program requirements.
  5. Receive your Provisional Eligibility Letter. If your eligibility is confirmed, a Provisional Eligibility Letter is issued through the portal. This is your confirmation to proceed.
  6. Pay the Processing Fee , USD $1,150. After receiving your Provisional Eligibility Letter, pay the Processing Fee for college allotment. Also non-refundable. Both fees are fixed, government-regulated, and listed on the portal before payment.
  7. College allotted based on marks and preferences. Allotment follows the merit list compiled from your academic documents, matched against your preference list. Your offer letter arrives through the portal.

No entrance exam required. International students applying through fn.mahacet.org for B.Pharm are not required to sit MHT-CET or any other Maharashtra state examination. This is confirmed in the MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure, Section 4, Point 4: Foreign Nationals, NRI, OCI, PIO, and CIWGC candidates are exempted.

B.Pharm, Pharm D, or M.Pharm , Which Program Is Right for You?

fn.mahacet.org lists pharmacy programs at multiple levels. Understanding the difference before applying helps you choose the right path.

Program Level Duration Focus Entry Requirement
B.Pharm Bachelors 4 years Full pharmacy foundation 12th: English + Physics + Chemistry + Maths or Biology
Pharm D Masters 6 years Clinical pharmacy + patient care 12th: Physics + Chemistry + Maths or Biology
M.Pharm Masters 2 years Specialisation (e.g. Pharmaceutical Chemistry) Completed B.Pharm degree

Your First Week in Maharashtra

After your offer letter arrives and your visa is confirmed, here is what the first week looks like for international pharmacy students arriving in Maharashtra.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Provisional Eligibility Fee on fn.mahacet.org and what happens after I pay it?
The USD $50 Provisional Eligibility Fee is the first mandatory payment in the process. After you pay, the fn.mahacet.org team reviews your uploaded documents and academic qualifications. If your eligibility is confirmed, you receive a Provisional Eligibility Letter. You then pay the Processing Fee of USD $1,150 for college allotment. Both fees are non-refundable. The total portal fee is USD $1,200.
Do Afghan students need an entrance exam for B.Pharm in Maharashtra?
No. International students applying through fn.mahacet.org , including Foreign National Students, NRI, OCI, PIO, and CIWGC candidates , are not required to sit MHT-CET or any other Maharashtra state entrance examination. This is confirmed in the MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure, Section 4, Point 4. Admission is based on 12th grade academic results only.
What 12th grade subjects do I need for B.Pharm?
For B.Pharm, the 12th grade requirement is English as one subject, along with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology. Students from open schooling or non-formal school systems are not eligible for B.Pharm. A minimum passing mark in the relevant subjects is required.
What is the difference between B.Pharm and Pharm D on fn.mahacet.org?
B.Pharm is a four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy program covering the full breadth of pharmaceutical sciences. It is listed under Bachelors on fn.mahacet.org. Pharm D is a six-year Doctor of Pharmacy program that adds two years of intensive clinical hospital pharmacy practice on top of the pharmaceutical science foundation. It is listed under Masters. B.Pharm prepares graduates for the full range of pharmacy roles. Pharm D specifically prepares graduates for clinical pharmacy practice in hospital settings.
How long does the Indian student visa take for Afghan nationals?
Afghan nationals apply for Indian student visas through the Indian Embassy. Standard processing typically takes 2–4 weeks after document submission. You should apply for your visa after receiving your Provisional Eligibility Letter and offer letter from fn.mahacet.org. Prepare your documents , passport, offer letter, financial documents, and academic certificates , before visiting the Embassy.
Is a No Objection Certificate required for Afghan students?
Specific visa document requirements for Afghan nationals should be confirmed directly with the Indian Embassy at the time of application, as requirements can change. The standard documents for an Indian student visa application include your passport, completed application form, offer letter from the Indian institution, financial support documents, and academic certificates. Always verify current requirements with the Indian Embassy before applying.

Ready to Start Your Application?

fn.mahacet.org is the Government of Maharashtra's official portal for international students. 6,000+ institutions. Every confirmed program. Fixed fees. No agents. No middlemen.

Apply Now at fn.mahacet.org

Questions? Email student@mahacet.org or call +91-9152252049 (10am–6pm IST)

Related reading:
Arzo from Kabul , Pharm D at Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute, Pimpri, Pune
Kareem from Kunduz , M.Pharm Pharmaceutical Chemistry at St. Wilfred's, Panvel
Stop Paying Education Agents: fn.mahacet.org Is the Only Portal You Need

Information sourced from fn.mahacet.org , the official Government of Maharashtra Foreign Candidate Registration Portal, operated by the State Common Entrance Test Cell. MHT-CET exemption confirmed per MHT-CET 2026 Information Brochure, Section 4, Point 4.

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