# Govt invites DCGI applications as wider eligibility triggers opposition 2026-08-07T15:20:30+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Union health ministry has invited applications for the post of Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to head the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The move follows an April 2026 notification that widened eligibility to include non-pharmacy engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical and computer science, sparking fierce opposition from the All India Drugs Control Officers' Confederation (AIDCOC). The DCGI position oversees India's $60 billion pharmaceutical market. Incumbent Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, who got a second extension in February 2026, will stay until March 2027 or until a successor is appointed. AIDCOC argues the expanded criteria violate the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, which mandate pharmacy or related backgrounds. The development comes after Indian-manufactured cough syrups were linked to over 140 deaths globally due to toxic solvents. ## Coverage - livemint.com Tags: CDSCO, DCGI, drug regulation, eligibility row, health ministry, pharmaceutical industry Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/govt-invites-dcgi-applications-as-wider-eligibility-triggers-opposition/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/govt-invites-dcgi-applications-as-wider-eligibility-triggers-opposition/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.