(1) It shall be the general duty of the Council to coordinate the activities of all the Institutes and to take all such steps as to ensure planned and coordinated development of pharmaceutical education and research and maintenance of standards thereof.
(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Council shall perform the following functions, namely:—
(a) to advise on matters relating to the duration of the courses, the degrees and other academic distinctions to be conferred by the Institutes, admission standards and other academic matters;
(b) to lay down policy regarding cadres, methods of recruitment and conditions of service of employees, institution of scholarships and free-ships, levying of fees and other matters of common interest;
(c) to examine the development plans of each Institute and to approve such of them as are considered necessary and also to indicate broadly the financial implications of such approved plans;
(d) to lay down policy or guidelines for promoting research and development in pharmaceuticals and related areas, fostering collaboration and overseeing developments and on matters incidental thereto;
(e) to examine the annual budget estimates of each Institute and to recommend to the Central Government the allocation of funds for that purpose;
(f) to advise the Visitor, if so required, in respect of any function to be performed by him under this Act; and
(g) to perform such other functions as are assigned to it by or under this Act.
(3) The Council shall meet at least once every six months and follow such procedure in its meetings as may be prescribed.