The GPAT, or Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test, serves as a primary gateway for admission to M.Pharm programs and is also crucial for securing fellowships such as NIPER JEE and the AICTE PG Scholarships.

When discussing the “merit score” in GPAT, it typically refers to the minimum score or percentile candidates need to achieve to be considered for admission to top institutions or to qualify for specific scholarships. Essentially, it’s a benchmark—those who meet or exceed it are eligible for further consideration.

To provide clarity, here are the recent trends regarding merit scores across different categories:

- General / EWS:A score in the range of 140 to 160 is usually necessary, placing candidates within the top 10–15% (up to approximately 5,000th rank).

- OBC:Applicants generally need to score between 120 and 140, which corresponds to ranks up to around 8,000.

- SC/ST: For these categories, a score between 90 and 115 is typically sufficient, extending eligibility up to the 15,000th rank.

- PwD: Candidates in this category often qualify with scores between 75 and 100, covering ranks up to 20,000.

It is important to note that these figures are approximate and may vary slightly each year, depending on the overall performance of candidates and the number of available seats. Achieving a score at or above the merit threshold enhances one’s prospects for admission and scholarships, but higher scores often translate to broader opportunities and greater flexibility in college selection.