u/code_Developerr

I recently got selected for a Production Operator role at a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Hyderabad as a fresher.

The offered salary is ₹18,000 per month, but the in-hand salary is around ₹13,000 after deductions. During the interview, they emphasized that the work is physically demanding and that employees should be prepared to stay long-term.

The company is also asking employees to sign a 2-year bond/agreement and submit their educational certificates at the time of joining.

I have a few questions for people who have worked in pharma manufacturing:

1. Is ₹13,000 in-hand a reasonable salary for a fresher Production Operator in Hyderabad?
2. What is the day-to-day work actually like? Is it mostly operating equipment, or does it involve heavy lifting, loading/unloading, and manual material handling?
3. Is asking employees to sign a 2-year bond common in the pharma industry?
4. Is it normal for companies to ask for educational certificates during employment? Do they usually keep the originals or just verified copies?
5. What kind of career growth can I expect if I start as a Production Operator?
6. After 2–3 years of experience, what salary range is realistic?
7. If you were a fresher, would you take this job or continue looking for other opportunities?

I'd really appreciate advice from people working in pharmaceutical manufacturing, API plants, bulk drug companies, or production departments.