FSSAI Recruitment 2026: Current Jobs, CFSO/FSO Notification Status & Exam Date

Current official status: FSSAI has not released a fresh direct-recruitment notification for Central Food Safety Officer (CFSO) or Technical Officer, and no CFSO exam date for 2026 or 2027 is announced (not officially announced yet). The newest entry on Jobs @ FSSAI is a Legal Consultant contract notice of October 8, 2026. Food Safety Officer (FSO) posts are state posts, and the official FSO exam dates now fixed are: Haryana PSC Screening Test — December 6, 2026 (Subject Knowledge Test January 31, 2027) and UPPSC Combined State/Upper Subordinate (PCS) Prelims 2026 — December 6, 2026 (proposed), which covers UP Food Safety Officer posts. The HPSC FSO form has been re-opened from October 22 to October 28, 2026 (5:00 PM). Bihar BTSC's FSO form closed on October 24, 2026; its exam date is not yet announced.

FSO exam dates 2026 — state-wise (official dates only)

State / Body	Advertisement & posts	Application window	FSO exam date	Status
Haryana — HPSC	Advt. No. 25/2026 — 45 Food Safety Officer (Group-B)	Sep 28 – Oct 19, 2026; re-opened Oct 22 – Oct 28, 2026 (5:00 PM)	Screening Test: December 6, 2026; Subject Knowledge Test: January 31, 2027	Re-opened window closes Oct 28, 2026, 5:00 PM
Uttar Pradesh — UPPSC	Advt. No. A-1/E-1/2026, Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services (PCS) Exam 2026 — Food Safety Officer is one of the listed posts (about 500 total vacancies across all posts)	Opened Jun 25, 2026 (closed)	Preliminary Exam: December 6, 2026 (proposed, UPPSC 2026 exam calendar)	Closed; admit card not yet issued
Bihar — BTSC	Advt. No. 29/2026 — 105 Food Safety Officer	Sep 25 – Oct 24, 2026 (closed)	Not officially announced yet	Closed; syllabus published Oct 1, 2026
Central — FSSAI	CFSO / Technical Officer direct recruitment	—	Not officially announced yet	No notification

Note: The HPSC FSO Screening Test and the UPPSC PCS Prelims are both on December 6, 2026 (the UPPSC date is the proposed date from its exam calendar). Candidates who applied to both should watch both commissions' websites for admit cards and any rescheduling.

Open now vs closed vs awaited

Status	Recruitment	Key date	Conducting body
Re-opened (closes Oct 28, 2026, 5:00 PM)	Food Safety Officer (Group-B), Haryana — Advt. No. 25/2026, 45 posts	Portal re-opened October 22 – October 28, 2026, up to 5:00 PM (announcement dated October 21, 2026); original window September 28 – October 19, 2026	Haryana Public Service Commission
Exam scheduled	HPSC Food Safety Officer — Screening Test / Subject Knowledge Test	December 6, 2026 / January 31, 2027 (HPSC announcement dated October 16, 2026)	Haryana Public Service Commission
Exam scheduled (proposed)	UPPSC Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services (Prelims) Exam 2026 — includes Food Safety Officer	December 6, 2026 (UPPSC exam calendar dated January 30, 2026)	Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission
Closed — exam date awaited	Food Safety Officer, Bihar — Advt. No. 29/2026, 105 posts	Online applications ran September 25 – October 24, 2026 (BTSC notice No. 3202 dated September 25, 2026); no extension notice on BTSC site	Bihar Technical Service Commission
Closed	FSSAI Legal Consultant (contract) — Notice-01/2026, 3 positions	Online last date was October 23, 2026 (per corrigendum dated October 8, 2026)	FSSAI
Closed	FSSAI DEP-04/2026 — 4 Assistant Director (Group A, PL-10) posts on deputation	Portal closed on extended date October 2, 2026; hard copy through proper channel was due by October 19, 2026 (as per notice)	FSSAI
Closed	FSSAI DEP-01/2026, DEP-02/2026, DEP-03/2026 deputation circulars	Application windows have ended (DEP-01: saved-mode applications extended to June 26, 2026; DEP-02: to July 5, 2026; DEP-03 Advisor portal: July 25 – August 14, 2026, tentative); selections/cancellations are being notified	FSSAI
Awaited	FSSAI CFSO / Technical Officer direct recruitment	Not officially announced yet	FSSAI
Awaited	FSSAI CFSO exam date 2026–27	Not officially announced yet	FSSAI

The most recent direct recruitment for CFSO/Technical Officer remains DR-04/2021, whose document-verification results were declared in March–April 2023. This page therefore separates:

1. Current 2026 FSSAI recruitment activity — deputation, contract hiring, results and notices.
2. Fresh CFSO/TO 2026 status — not announced.
3. State Food Safety Officer recruitments — run by state commissions, not FSSAI.
4. Previous verified CFSO/TO direct-recruitment reference — eligibility, fee, pattern, salary and cut-off data from DR-04/2021.

1. FSSAI Recruitment 2026 — Current Overview

Item	Verified Status
Authority	Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
Current Jobs Page	2026 deputation circulars, selection/cancellation notices, FAE result, Legal Consultant hiring
Latest Notice	Legal Consultant Notice-01/2026 (October 8, 2026) — 3 positions, last date October 23, 2026 (now closed)
Latest Deputation Circular	DEP-04/2026 — 4 Assistant Director (Group A, Pay Level 10) posts; portal closed October 2, 2026
Fresh CFSO 2026 Direct Recruitment	Not announced
Fresh Technical Officer 2026 Direct Recruitment	Not announced
Fresh CFSO/TO Exam Date	Not announced
Previous Direct Recruitment Reference	DR-04/2021
Official Jobs Portal	fssai.gov.in/jobs-at-fssai

2. Latest FSSAI Recruitment Status — October 2026

All entries below are taken from the official Jobs @ FSSAI list (dates are upload dates shown there). No entry has been added after October 8, 2026.

Date	Official Activity	Status
Oct 8, 2026	Legal Consultant Notice-01/2026 (File L-15017/128/2023-Legal-FSSAI)	Closed — 3 Legal Consultants on contract, fixed ₹70,000/month, 1 year (extendable up to 3 years), FSSAI HQ New Delhi; online last date was October 23, 2026
Sep 28, 2026	DEP-01/2026 Assistant Manager-IT	Cancellation notice — no candidate found suitable
Sep 28, 2026	DEP-01/2026 Assistant (PL-06)	Cancelled due to "No Show" of invited candidates
Sep 25, 2026	DEP-01/2026 Senior Private Secretary (PL-08)	Selection result uploaded
Sep 17, 2026	Manager-IT (PL-11), DEP-01/2025 & DEP-02/2026	Selection result uploaded
Sep 7, 2026	Joint Director (PL-12), DEP-01/2025 & DEP-02/2026	Selection result uploaded
Sep 4, 2026	DEP-04/2026 — 4 Assistant Director (Group A, PL-10), tenure 2 years, FSSAI HQ New Delhi / WRO Mumbai	Online portal originally September 5–25, 2026; extended to October 2, 2026 — now closed; hard-copy last date in notice: October 19, 2026
Sep 2, 2026	11th Food Analyst Examination (FAE-2025)	Practical examination result declared
Aug 21, 2026	DEP-01/2026 Assistant Manager-IT	List of provisionally eligible/not eligible candidates for interview
Jul 24, 2026	DEP-03/2026 — 1 Advisor (PL-14)	Deputation circular
Jul 3, 2026	DR-02/2019 Assistant Director (Technical)	Select list issued in compliance with Delhi High Court orders
Jun 5, 2026	DEP-02/2026 — various Group A & C posts	Deputation circular
May 29, 2026	DEP-01/2026 — various Group B & C posts	Deputation circular
Mar 24, 2026	Executive Director (PL-14), DEP-02/2025	Selection result uploaded
Mar 23, 2026	Assistant Director (OL) (PL-10), DEP-01/2025	Selection result uploaded
—	Fresh CFSO / Technical Officer direct recruitment	Not announced
—	Fresh CFSO / TO exam date	Not announced

Important: Deputation posts are open only to officers already holding regular posts in Central/State Government, PSUs, universities or autonomous bodies — they are not open to fresh graduates. Gazette notifications that designate officers as “Central Food Safety Officer” are statutory officer notifications under the FSS Act, not evidence of a fresh CFSO direct-recruitment application cycle.

State Food Safety Officer Recruitments 2026

Searches for "food safety officer recruitment 2026" often mean state FSO posts. These officers are appointed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 by each state's Commissioner of Food Safety and are recruited by the state public service commission or recruitment board, not by FSSAI. Always apply only through that state body's website.

Haryana PSC Food Safety Officer 2026 — Form Re-opened October 22–28, 2026

Item	Official Detail (HPSC Advt. No. 25/2026)
Post	Food Safety Officer (Group-B), Food & Drugs Administration Department, Haryana
Vacancies	45 — UR 22, DSC 5, OSC 5, BC-A 5, BC-B 3, EWS 5; horizontal: ESM (General) 2, PwD 2 (1 Low Vision, 1 Deaf/Hard of Hearing). One SC post is a shortfall post now included. Posts may increase or decrease.
Date of publication	September 19, 2026
Online application (original)	September 28, 2026 – October 19, 2026 (5:00 PM)
Online application (re-opened)	October 22, 2026 – October 28, 2026, up to 5:00 PM — HPSC announcement dated October 21, 2026 "extend/re-open[s]" the portal for all eligible candidates
Already applied?	Candidates who already applied need not apply again. Those who applied but did not upload the signed application form may upload the signed, self-attested form online. URN particulars cannot be corrected; to correct a submitted form, cancel it and apply afresh — the earlier fee is neither adjusted nor refunded.
Fee last date	Fee is payable online (net banking/debit/credit card) up to 5:00 PM of the closing date; originally October 19, 2026 — the re-opened portal runs until October 28, 2026, 5:00 PM
Eligibility date	Age, qualification and other conditions are determined as on October 28, 2026; candidates who applied earlier and became overage after September 19, 2026 are still treated as eligible. All other terms of the advertisement are unchanged.
Age limit	18–42 years (originally as on October 19, 2026; now as on October 28, 2026 per the re-opening notice); relaxations per Haryana Government instructions of March 25, 2022 — e.g., 5 years for SC and BC of Haryana; PwBD 5 years (+5 more if also SC/ST/BC/EWS, subject to a maximum of 52 years); 5 years each for wives of disabled military personnel, widowed/divorced women, judicially separated women and unmarried women
Qualification	Bachelor's/Master's/Doctorate in Food Technology disciplines, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, Oil Technology, Agricultural Science disciplines, Veterinary Sciences, Bio-Chemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry or Medicine; or MBBS/BDS/BHMS/BUMS/BSMS/BAMS/Sowa Rigpa; plus Hindi or Sanskrit in Matric or Hindi in higher education. FSSAI-prescribed training is given after appointment.
Pay scale	9300-34800 + 4200 GP, FPL-6 (Cell-1) ₹35,400
Application fee	₹1,000 (general/other states, and DESM of Haryana in the UR category); ₹250 for OSC, DSC, BC-A/BC-B (NCL), ESM, EWS and women of Haryana (also DESM of Haryana in these vertical categories); Nil for PwBD of Haryana (40%+ disability). Fee is not refundable.
Selection	Screening Test (if applicants are numerous) → Subject Knowledge Test → Interview, as per the HPSC scheme announcement dated October 16, 2026. A separate HPSC announcement of the same date withdrew the earlier syllabus announcement dated October 14, 2026.
Screening Test	December 6, 2026 — 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 2 hours, English; five options per question (fifth = not attempted); −1/4 mark per wrong answer and per question left without darkening any option; a candidate who leaves all five circles blank in more than 10% of questions is disqualified; minimum 25% to qualify; 4 times the posts shortlisted; marks not counted in final merit. Syllabus: General Science, current events, History of India, Indian & World Geography, Indian Culture/Polity/Economy, mental ability, Class X numeracy and data interpretation, Haryana GK.
Subject Knowledge Test	January 31, 2027 — subjective, 150 marks, 3 hours, English; minimum 35%; 87.5% weightage. Twelve-unit syllabus: food chemistry, nutrition and public health, microbiology, primary production, food commodities, processing/packaging, hazards and HACCP, sampling and lab quality, Indian food law, FSSAI systems, international standards, food biotechnology.
Interview	2 times the posts called (minimum 35% in SKT); 12.5% weightage. Final merit = SKT + interview. Absence at any stage means the candidate is not considered.
Official site	hpsc.gov.in — apply at regn.hpsc.gov.in; re-opening notice: Announcement dated October 21, 2026 (PDF)

Bihar BTSC Food Safety Officer 2026 — Applications Closed, Exam Date Awaited

Item	Official Detail (BTSC Advt. No. 29/2026, dated September 25, 2026)
Post	Food Safety Officer, Bihar Food Safety Service, Health Department, Bihar
Vacancies	105 — UR 41, EWS 11, SC 17, ST 02, EBC 18, BC 12, Women of BC 04. Of these, 34 are horizontally reserved for women domiciled in Bihar (35%). PwD (Bihar domicile): VH 02, HH 01, OH 01, MH 01; grandchildren of freedom fighters: 02. Posts may change.
Online application	September 25, 2026 – October 24, 2026 on btsc.bihar.gov.in — closed. The BTSC site shows no extension notice, and its Admit Card page lists no admit card.
Pay	Pay Level 6 (pre-revised Grade Pay ₹4,200, PB-2)
Age	Minimum 21 years on August 1, 2026. Maximum: UR male 37, UR female 40, BC/EBC 40, SC/ST 42 years; PwD +10 years; regularly appointed Bihar Government servants with 3 years' continuous service +5 years; ex-servicemen 3 years + period of defence service (actual age not above 57). Only one of these relaxations applies. Reservation only for Bihar domicile.
Qualification	Graduate/Master's/Doctorate in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, Oil Technology, Agricultural Science, Veterinary Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry or Medicine; or degrees in the listed food-technology/agricultural-science subjects; or MBBS/BDS/BHMS/BUMS/BSMS/BAMS/Sowa Rigpa. Appointment only after FSSAI-prescribed training.
Application fee	₹100 (online only)
Selection	Written Computer Based Test only — 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 2 hours, Hindi and English; −0.25 per wrong answer; normalisation if held in multiple shifts. Minimum qualifying marks: General 40%, BC 36.5%, EBC 34%, SC/ST/women/PwD 32%; candidates from outside Bihar need 40%.
Syllabus (published October 1, 2026)	Objective type, 2 hours, 100 marks: General Studies & Mental Ability — 25 marks (national/international events, current affairs, general science, modern Indian history, Indian polity and governance, economic development, physical geography of India and Bihar, disaster management, sustainable development, logical reasoning, data analysis — mean, median, mode, variance, coefficient of variation); Chemistry & Food Nutrition — 75 marks covering (A) food chemistry (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and rancidity, pigments, flavours, enzymatic/non-enzymatic browning), (B) food microbiology (microbial growth factors, spoilage of milk/meat products, foodborne pathogens and toxins, natural food hazards, preservation) and (C) food processing technology (cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, plantation crops, spices, meat/fish/poultry, milk processing, unit operations, product development).
Exam date	Not officially announced yet
Official site	btsc.bihar.gov.in — FSO syllabus PDF

Uttar Pradesh UPPSC Food Safety Officer 2026 — Through PCS 2026, Prelims December 6, 2026 (Proposed)

Item	Official Detail (UPPSC Advt. No. A-1/E-1/2026, dated June 25, 2026)
Exam	Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services (PCS) (General/Special Recruitment) Examination-2026 — Food Safety Officer is one of the posts listed in the advertisement
Vacancies	About 500 in total across all PCS 2026 posts (may increase or decrease); the advertisement does not give a separate FSO count in its vacancy clause
Online application	Opened June 25, 2026 — closed (the application and correction windows have ended; UPPSC no longer lists this advertisement among its live online applications)
Age	21–40 years on July 1, 2026, with relaxations for reserved categories of U.P. as per the advertisement
FSO qualification	Bachelor's degree in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, Oil Technology, Agricultural Science, Veterinary Sciences, Bio-Chemistry or Microbiology, or a post-graduate degree in Chemistry, or a degree in Medicine, or an equivalent qualification notified by the Central Government; FSSAI-specified training after selection; no financial interest in the food business
Fee (Prelims)	Unreserved/EWS/OBC: ₹100 exam fee + ₹25 online processing = ₹125
Prelims date	December 6, 2026 (proposed) — UPPSC exam calendar dated January 30, 2026 lists the Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services (Prelims) Exam-2026 on this date; the admit card has not been issued yet
Official site	uppsc.up.nic.in — UPPSC 2026 exam calendar (PDF)

Other states

State	Current official status
West Bengal	FSO posts in the state have previously been advertised by the West Bengal Health Recruitment Board. No 2026 FSO advertisement is shown on hrb.wb.gov.in — not officially announced yet.
Uttar Pradesh	Food Safety Officer is included in UPPSC PCS 2026 (Advt. A-1/E-1/2026) — see the UPPSC section above. Separately, UPPSC Advt. D-6/E-1/2025 includes Inspector of Drugs (Food Safety and Drug Administration, U.P.), which is a different post from Food Safety Officer.
Odisha	OSSC notice dated October 21, 2026 fixes the preliminary exam of CGLRE for Group-B & Group-C Specialist Posts/Services-2025 (Advt. No. 5919/OSSC dated December 30, 2025) on November 30, 2026. Job portals report that this advertisement includes Food Safety Officer posts, but the post list and FSO vacancy count could not be confirmed on ossc.gov.in — check the advertisement there before relying on it.
Jharkhand	JPSC Food Safety Officer recruitment (Advt. No. 18/2023) has reached the interview stage — JPSC's Recent Examinations/Interview page lists the interview on February 25 and 27, 2026 (no result is listed on that page). No new JPSC FSO advertisement is listed on jpsc.gov.in.
Other states	Check the respective state PSC/recruitment board. This page lists only recruitments verified on the conducting body's own site.

Previous Direct-Recruitment Timeline — DR-04/2021

• Advertisement: DR-04/2021, dated September 30, 2021.
• Application window after corrigendum: October 13 – November 12, 2021.
• CBT Stage-I: held March 28–31, 2022 (FSSAI answer-key notice dated April 4, 2022); Stage-I result declared July 6, 2022.
• CFSO / Technical Officer CBT Stage-II: October 1, 2022.
• Document-verification / selection notices continued through 2023 (CFSO provisional selection list: October 31, 2023), and additional lists for the Assistant post were issued up to December 10, 2024.

The historical dates remain useful for understanding the previous process, but they are not 2026 application or exam dates.

3. CFSO / Technical Officer Eligibility — Previous Official DR-04/2021 Reference

A fresh 2026 CFSO/Technical Officer direct-recruitment eligibility notice has not been issued. The detailed section below is retained as the previous official DR-04/2021 reference and must not be treated as a confirmed 2026 eligibility table.

A. Academic and Educational Qualifications

Post Name	Prescribed Educational Qualification (Recognized UGC/AICTE Institution)
Central Food Safety Officer (CFSO)	Degree in Food Technology / Dairy Technology / Biotechnology / Oil Technology / Agricultural Science / Veterinary Sciences / Bio-Chemistry / Microbiology OR Master’s Degree in Chemistry OR Degree in Medicine from a recognized University.
Technical Officer (TO)	(a) Master's Degree in Chemistry / Biochemistry / Food Technology / Food Science & Technology / Food & Nutrition / Edible Oil Technology / Microbiology / Dairy Technology / Agricultural or Horticultural Sciences / Industrial Microbiology / Toxicology / Public Health / Life Science / Biotechnology / Fruit & Vegetable Technology / Food Safety & Quality Assurance; OR (b) a PG Diploma of at least one year in Food Safety, Food Science, Food Processing, Quality Assurance in Food sector, Dietetics & Public Health, Nutrition, Dairy Science, Bakery Science or Post Harvest Technology (with a listed science subject at Bachelor's level); OR (c) BE/B.Tech in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, Oil Technology, Food Process Engineering, Food Processing Technology, Fruit & Vegetable Technology or Food Safety & Quality Assurance, or a Bachelor's degree (at least four years) in Medicine, Veterinary Sciences, Fisheries or Animal Sciences.
Assistant	Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or Institution.
Food Analyst (FAE)	Master’s degree in Chemistry / Biochemistry / Microbiology / Dairy Chemistry / Food Technology / Food and Nutrition, OR B.Tech in Dairy or Oil, OR degree in Veterinary Sciences, OR Associate of the Institution of Chemists (India) by examination in the Food Analysts section (or equivalent notified qualification) — AND at least 3 years' experience in the analysis of food, AND declared qualified as a Food Analyst by a board notified by the Authority.

B. Age Limits and Category Relaxations (As of Notification Cut-off Date)

Candidate Category	Maximum Age Limit (CFSO / TO / Assistant)	Maximum Age Limit (Food Analyst)
General / Unreserved (UR) & EWS	30 Years	35 Years
Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL)	33 Years (+3 Years Relaxation)	38 Years
Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST)	35 Years (+5 Years Relaxation)	40 Years
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD - UR)	40 Years (+10 Years Relaxation)	45 Years
PwBD + OBC-NCL	43 Years (+13 Years Relaxation)	48 Years
PwBD + SC/ST	45 Years (+15 Years Relaxation)	50 Years
Ex-Servicemen (ESM)	3 years after deducting military service from actual age	3 years after deducting military service from actual age

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4. Previous Direct-Recruitment Exam Pattern — DR-04/2021

Selection Stage	Mode & Format	Questions & Duration	Scoring & Purpose
Stage 1: CBT Stage 1	Online Computer Based Test	120 Qs (180 Mins)	480 Marks (shortlists candidates in a 1:20 ratio for Stage 2; carries 50% weightage in final merit)
Stage 2: CBT Stage 2	Subject / domain test	80 questions	180 minutes; detailed marking scheme published separately by FSSAI
Stage 3: Document Verification	Certificate verification	—	Selection based on combined CBT merit and eligibility verification

A. CBT Stage 1 Scheme — Previous DR-04/2021 Reference

The previous direct-recruitment cycle used CBT Stage-I followed by CBT Stage-II for CFSO/Technical Officer. FSSAI's result notice states that final combined merit used 50% weightage from CBT Stage-I + 50% from CBT Stage-II.

• Duration: 3 Hours (180 Minutes)
• Total Questions: 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Total Marks: 480 Marks (Each question carries 4 Marks)
• Negative Marking: −1 Mark deducted for every incorrect response (1/4th penalty)
• Shortlisting: Candidates in a 1:20 ratio called for CBT Stage-2 (FSSAI said the ratio may change with the number of applicants)

Section	Domain / Subject	Questions	Marks
Part A: General Aptitude	General Intelligence & Reasoning	10	40
	General Awareness & Current Affairs	10	40
	English Language Comprehension	10	40
	Computer Literacy & IT Tools	10	40
Part B: Functional Knowledge	Indian & International Food Laws	20	80
	FSSAI Structure, Mandate & Initiatives	20	80
	Subject Matter Knowledge (Food Science & Tech)	40	160
Total	Combined CBT Stage 1 Paper	120	480

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5. In-Depth Syllabus Breakdown (Unit-by-Unit)

The topics below follow FSSAI's official indicative syllabus for CFSO CBT (Stage-1) under DR-04/2021 (dated 30 September 2021). It is the previous-cycle syllabus; a fresh notice may change it.

Part A: General Aptitude (40 Questions / 160 Marks)

1. General Intelligence & Reasoning (10 Qs)

• Verbal and non-verbal questions.
• Analogies, similarities and differences, space visualization.
• Problem solving, analysis, judgement, decision making, visual memory.
• Discriminating relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning, verbal and figure classification, arithmetical number series.

2. General Awareness (10 Qs)

• Awareness of the environment and its application to society; current events and matters of everyday observation expected of an educated person.
• India and its neighbouring countries — History, Culture, Geography, Economic scene.
• General Polity including the Indian Constitution, sports and scientific research (no special study of any discipline required).

3. English Language Comprehension (10 Qs)

• Vocabulary and grammar — nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, use of "a", "an" and "the", parts of speech.
• Comprehension, word substitution, synonyms and antonyms, spelling errors, spotting errors in sentences, idioms and phrases.

4. Computer Literacy (10 Qs)

• Handling regular office work on computers.
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) including basic commands.
• Google Docs, e-mail and digital signatures.
• Commonly used social media handles (WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, etc.).

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Part B: Functional & Domain Knowledge — Previous Cycle Preparation Reference

Unit 1: Indian and International Food Laws — An Overview (20 Qs)

• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: Provisions, definitions, different sections of the Act and its implementation.
• FSS Rules and Regulations.
• Other relevant national bodies: e.g. APEDA, BIS, EIC, MPEDA, Spices Board.
• International Food Control Systems / Laws, Regulations and Standards / Guidelines on food safety:
  • Codex Alimentarius Commission: History, members, standard-setting and advisory mechanisms — JECFA, JEMRA, JMPR.
  • WTO agreements: Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT).
  • Important national and international accreditation bodies.

Unit 2: FSSAI — Role, Functions, Initiatives: A General Understanding (20 Qs)

• Genesis and Evolution of FSSAI.
• Structure and Functions of the Food Authority.
• Overview of systems and processes: Standards, Enforcement, Laboratory ecosystem, Imports, Third Party Audit, etc.
• Promoting safe and wholesome food:
  • Eat Right India.
  • Food Fortification.
  • Clean Street Food Hub.
  • RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil).
  • Other social and behavioural change initiatives.
• Training and capacity building.
• Role of State Food Authorities.

Unit 3: Food Science, Nutrition, Microbiology, Safety Management & Testing (40 Qs)

• Principles of Food Preservation, Processing and Packaging:
  • Food processing operations, principles and Good Manufacturing Practices.
  • Food preservation methods and their underlying principles, including novel and emerging methods.
  • Food packaging methods and principles, including novel packaging materials and techniques.
• Principles and Basics of Food Chemistry and their Role in Human Nutrition:
  • Structure and functions of macro- and micronutrients, and their role in human nutrition.
  • Food additives and their technological functions; enzymes as food processing aids.
  • Anti-nutritional factors and their removal from foods; nutraceuticals and functional foods.
  • Food contaminants and adulterants and their effects on human health; food allergens and allergenicity.
  • Importance of diet in reducing health risks, especially non-communicable diseases.
• Food Microbiology and General Principles of Food Hygiene:
  • General principles of food microbiology and overview of foodborne pathogens.
  • Sources of microorganisms in the food chain (raw materials, water, air, equipment) and the microbiological quality of foods.
  • Microbial food spoilage and foodborne diseases; general principles and techniques of microbiological examination of foods.
  • Beneficial microorganisms and their role in food processing and human nutrition.
• Food Safety Management and Food Analysis & Testing:
  • Food safety management systems including traceability and recall, sanitation, HACCP and good practices (GMP, GAP, GHP, GLP, BAP).
  • Field-level and laboratory sampling and the importance of statistical tools; basic/classical methods of food analysis.
  • Modern analytical techniques including mass spectrometry and molecular techniques; principles of quality assurance and quality control in food testing.

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6. FSSAI Pay Scale — Previous Direct-Recruitment Reference

Under DR-04/2021:

Post	Pay Level	Starting Pay Reference
Central Food Safety Officer	Level 7	Pay matrix ₹44,900–₹1,42,400
Technical Officer	Level 7	Pay matrix ₹44,900–₹1,42,400
Assistant	Level 6	Pay matrix ₹35,400–₹1,12,400
Food Analyst	Level 10	As notified for the post

FSSAI stated that selected candidates would receive applicable DA, HRA, Children Education Allowance, LTC, medical benefits and NPS/gratuity benefits according to rules. A fixed 2026 gross or in-hand amount is not claimed, because allowances and deductions change over time and a fresh CFSO/TO 2026 direct-recruitment notice has not been issued.

7. Official Previous-Cycle Cut-Offs — DR-04/2021

These are verified FSSAI cut-offs from the previous direct-recruitment cycle, not expected 2026 cut-offs.

Central Food Safety Officer — Revised Cut-Off (out of 100)

Category	Official Cut-Off
UR	74.07
OBC	71.56
SC	69.90
ST	66.46
EWS	71.45
PwBD-HI	61.88

Technical Officer — Cut-Off (out of 100)

Category	Official Cut-Off
UR	75.00
OBC	72.08
SC	67.29
ST	64.06
EWS	70.21
PwBD-OH	59.79
PwBD-HI	46.25
PwBD-MD	55.42

The combined merit for these posts used 50% CBT Stage-I + 50% CBT Stage-II.

8. Recommended Preparation Strategy & Standard Booklist

Strategic Action Plan

1. Prioritize functional/domain knowledge: Use the previous official DR-04/2021 scheme as a preparation reference until a fresh direct-recruitment syllabus is published.
2. Memorize the FSS Act, 2006: Read the original bare act and regulations available on fssai.gov.in. Note the sections on offences and penalties, adjudication, and the powers and duties of Food Safety Officers.
3. Daily Computer & Aptitude Practice: Keep these areas in the preparation plan, but do not treat an old-cycle marks split as a confirmed 2026 weightage.
4. Solve Timed Mock Papers: Practice against the previous official scheme while waiting for any fresh FSSAI direct-recruitment notice.

Standard Reference Booklist

Subject Area	Recommended Book / Official Source	Author / Publisher
Food Science & Technology	Food Science (5th Edition)	Norman N. Potter & Joseph H. Hotchkiss
Food Microbiology	Food Microbiology (4th/5th Edition)	W.C. Frazier & D.C. Westhoff
Food Processing & Preservation	Food Processing and Preservation	B. Sivasankar (PHI Learning)
Food Laws & FSSAI Regulations	FSS Act 2006 Official Bare Act & The Orange Book	FSSAI Official Publications (fssai.gov.in)
General Intelligence & Reasoning	A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning	Dr. R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand)
Computer Literacy	Objective Computer Awareness	Arihant Publications
Practice & Previous-Cycle Material	DR-04/2021 indicative syllabus and the question/answer keys FSSAI released for CBT Stage-1 (April 4, 2022) and CBT Stage-2 (October 6, 2022)	FSSAI Official Notices (Jobs @ FSSAI archive)

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9. How to Apply — Current vs Direct Recruitment

Current 2026 Deputation Recruitment

The DEP-04/2026 deputation portal closed on its extended last date of October 2, 2026. Per the deputation notice, the hard copy of the application through proper channel was due by October 19, 2026. Deputation applicants must follow the circular, employer/NOC and supporting-document requirements. New deputation circulars, when issued, are posted on Jobs @ FSSAI.

FSSAI Legal Consultant 2026 (Contract) — Closed

Applications were online only through the link on Jobs @ FSSAI (sites.fssai.gov.in/fssaiconsultant/), on or before October 23, 2026 (corrigendum dated October 8, 2026); that window has closed. Age, qualification and experience terms are in the advertisement on Jobs @ FSSAI.

Haryana PSC Food Safety Officer (State Post) — Re-opened Window October 22–28, 2026

Register on hpsc.gov.in (apply link: regn.hpsc.gov.in) with a mobile number, log in with the URN, apply against Advt. No. 25/2026, pay the fee, then print, sign and upload the signed application form — HPSC treats forms without the signed upload as incomplete. The portal is re-opened from October 22 to October 28, 2026, up to 5:00 PM. If you already applied, you need not apply again; if you had not uploaded the signed form, upload it in this window. To correct a submitted form you must cancel it and apply afresh, and the earlier fee is not adjusted or refunded.

Bihar BTSC Food Safety Officer (State Post) — Closed

Applications were accepted online on btsc.bihar.gov.in against Advt. No. 29/2026 until October 24, 2026, with certificates issued on or before that date and a ₹100 online fee. BTSC states that no correction is allowed after submission. Applicants should now watch the BTSC Admit Card page for the CBT date.

UPPSC Food Safety Officer via PCS 2026 (State Post) — Closed

Applications for Advt. No. A-1/E-1/2026 opened on June 25, 2026 and are now closed, including the correction window. Applicants should watch uppsc.up.nic.in for the Prelims e-admit card; the exam calendar proposes December 6, 2026.

Fresh CFSO / Technical Officer Direct Recruitment

A fresh 2026 direct-recruitment application link has not been announced. Do not use an invented “DR-01/2026 direct recruitment” link.

When FSSAI publishes a future direct-recruitment notice:

1. Start from Jobs @ FSSAI.
2. Match the exact DR advertisement number.
3. Use the application link attached to that advertisement.
4. Follow the current-cycle upload specifications and fee table.
5. Save the submitted form and payment acknowledgement.

Previous Official DR-04/2021 Fee Reference

Category	Application Fee	Intimation Charges	Total
General / OBC	₹1,000	₹500	₹1,500
SC / ST / EWS / Women / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD	Nil	₹500	₹500

These are historical DR-04/2021 fees, not confirmed 2026 direct-recruitment fees.

10. Official Links Hub

Resource / Action	Official Portal URL
FSSAI Jobs @ FSSAI	Current Jobs
Deputation Portal (DEP-04/2026, closed Oct 2, 2026)	Status page
Legal Consultant Portal (closed Oct 23, 2026)	Portal
HPSC Food Safety Officer Advt. 25/2026	Advertisement PDF
HPSC FSO Portal Re-opened Oct 22–28, 2026 (Oct 21, 2026)	Announcement PDF
HPSC FSO Apply Online	regn.hpsc.gov.in
HPSC FSO Scheme, Exam Dates & Syllabus (Oct 16, 2026)	Announcement PDF
BTSC Food Safety Officer Advt. 29/2026	Advertisement PDF
BTSC Food Safety Officer Syllabus (Oct 1, 2026)	Syllabus PDF
UPPSC Exam Calendar 2026 (PCS Prelims Dec 6, 2026)	Calendar PDF
UPPSC Official Website (Advt. A-1/E-1/2026)	uppsc.up.nic.in
OSSC Official Website (CGLRE Specialist-2025 prelims Nov 30, 2026)	ossc.gov.in
FSSAI Official Website	https://fssai.gov.in
Previous DR-04/2021 Archive	Use the Jobs @ FSSAI archive for CFSO/Technical Officer notices
Eat Right India Portal	https://eatrightindia.gov.in

Last Updated: October 25, 2026 | Current status verified against FSSAI Jobs @ FSSAI, the DEP-04/2026 deputation notice, Legal Consultant Notice-01/2026 and corrigendum, HPSC Advt. No. 25/2026, its October 16, 2026 scheme announcement and October 21, 2026 re-opening announcement, BTSC Advt. No. 29/2026 and its October 1, 2026 FSO syllabus, UPPSC Advt. No. A-1/E-1/2026 and the UPPSC 2026 exam calendar, the OSSC notice of October 21, 2026 and the JPSC examinations page; previous CFSO/Technical Officer details use official DR-04/2021 notices.