FSSAI Registration: Eligibility, Fees, Documents, and Online Application

From 1 April 2026, FSSAI uses revised turnover thresholds for categorising food businesses. The applicable category can also depend on the nature of the food business, location, activity, capacity, and other criteria specified for that category.

Turnover alone does not determine the category for every food business. FSSAI’s eligibility system should be used to identify the applicable kind of business (KoB), category, and licensing authority.

The three regulatory categories differ in their eligibility, authority, and fee structure. “Basic Registration” is a commonly used informal term for the Registration category; FSSAI’s current framework refers to Registration, State Licence, and Central Licence.

Importers and exporters, multi-state operations, and specified food businesses can require a Central Licence irrespective of turnover. Always verify the applicable KoB and licensing criteria before filing.

The exact documents depend on the category and kind of food business. For Registration, FSSAI’s documentation framework includes a photograph of the food business operator and identity proof. Additional supporting documents can apply according to the business activity and premises.

• Photograph of the Food Business Operator.
• Government-issued identity proof, such as Aadhaar card, voter ID card, PAN card, driving licence, or passport.
• Self-attested declaration of compliance with the applicable basic hygiene and safety requirements.
• Business or premises information required in Form A and the FoSCoS application.
• Additional documents requested for the particular kind of food business, where applicable.

State and Central Licence applications can require further documents, such as proof of business constitution, premises documents, a layout or blueprint for applicable manufacturing activities, food-safety management information, equipment details, water-analysis reports, and other activity-specific records.

Licence documentation depends on the kind of business and the proposed activity. The following are examples of documents that can apply to particular businesses rather than a universal checklist.

• Proof of business constitution, such as a partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, or other applicable entity document.
• Proof of possession or use of the premises.
• List of food products to be manufactured, processed, stored, distributed, or sold.
• Blueprint or layout plan for applicable manufacturing units.
• Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan or related information where applicable.
• List of equipment and machinery with relevant details for applicable manufacturing activities.
• Water analysis report from a recognised laboratory where applicable.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) or other local-authority document where specifically required.
• Import Export Code (IEC) for applicable importers or exporters.
• Form IX and board resolution for companies where applicable.
• Recall plan or source-of-raw-material information for specified food businesses.

FSSAI’s FoSCoS document list should be checked against the selected KoB because document requirements can change with the activity, business structure, and licence category.

The fee depends on the category and kind of food business. The current FoSCoS fee structure lists Rs. 100 for Registration for one year and Rs. 7,500 for a Central Licence for one year. State Licence fees vary by business activity.

The 2026 reforms introduced perpetual validity, but FBOs can choose to pay the applicable fee for multiple years at once. This is different from the earlier one-to-five-year validity framework.

1. Identify the applicable category

Use the FoSCoS eligibility system to identify the kind of business, turnover category, and whether Registration, State Licence, or Central Licence applies.

2. Create or access your FoSCoS account

Use the official Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal for the food-business application.

3. Select the food-business activity

Choose the relevant kind of business and enter the premises and operational details requested by FoSCoS.

4. Complete the application form

Use Form A for Registration or Form B for a State or Central Licence, as applicable.

5. Upload the required documents

Submit the documents and declarations applicable to the selected food-business activity.

6. Pay the applicable fee

Pay the fee shown for the selected category, activity, and period.

7. Submit and track the application

Submit the application and retain the application reference number. Use FoSCoS to track its status and respond to any online query raised by the authority.

8. Complete any applicable scrutiny or inspection

The application can undergo scrutiny, and an inspection or additional verification can be required under the applicable risk-based or activity-specific process.

9. Receive the registration or licence

If the application meets the applicable requirements, the Registration or Licence is issued through the system.

FSSAI introduced perpetual validity for registrations and licences as part of the 2026 reforms. A Registration or Licence issued on or after 1 April 2026 remains valid unless it is suspended, cancelled, or surrendered.

Food businesses are still required to comply with applicable food-safety, hygiene, inspection, and other statutory obligations. Perpetual validity does not remove the need to maintain compliance.

Existing FBOs affected by the revised turnover thresholds can be migrated through FoSCoS. FSSAI states that threshold-based migration does not require a modification fee and does not change the existing licence or registration number.

Registrations and licences issued under the 2026 perpetual-validity framework do not require periodic renewal. This replaces the earlier one-to-five-year validity and renewal approach for the registrations and licences covered by the reform.

Existing certificates should be checked in FoSCoS to determine their current category and status. Businesses should not assume that an older certificate has the same category or validity treatment without checking the applicable migration or transition provisions.

You can track an FSSAI application through the FoSCoS portal using the application reference details. The portal provides application and account functions for new applications, tracking, modification, and other food-business services.

• Open the FoSCoS portal.
• Use the application tracking function.
• Enter the application reference number and required verification details.
• Review the current application status and any query or document request.
• Respond to online queries within the prescribed period to avoid application consequences.

If FSSAI authorities raise a query on an application, the applicant should log in to FoSCoS, review the requested clarification or document, and respond within the prescribed period. FSSAI guidance states that applications can be rejected when applicants do not respond to queries within the applicable period.

Keep copies of the submitted application, payment receipt, documents, and responses. These records can help when tracking the application or addressing subsequent queries.

Operating a food business without the required licence can attract a penalty under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Following the Jan Vishwas amendments, the penalty can extend to Rs. 10 lakh for carrying on a business without a licence, subject to the applicable statutory provisions.

Other food-safety contraventions carry separate penalties depending on the nature of the violation. A business should therefore assess the specific provision applicable to the conduct rather than relying on a single general penalty amount.

Obtaining the applicable FSSAI registration or licence establishes the food business within the regulatory framework and supports compliance with food-safety requirements.

• Provides the required regulatory registration or licence for the applicable food activity.
• Creates a formal food-business identity within the FSSAI compliance system.
• Supports traceability and regulatory oversight of food businesses.
• Can be required by customers, marketplaces, institutional buyers, or other commercial counterparties.
• Helps the business demonstrate that it has completed the applicable food-safety registration or licensing process.
• Supports participation in business activities where FSSAI documentation is a stated requirement.

FSSAI registration or licensing does not by itself guarantee that every food product is safe or compliant. Ongoing compliance with applicable food-safety requirements remains the responsibility of the Food Business Operator.

A Bajaj Finance Business Loan can support eligible business expenditure such as equipment, technology, working capital, infrastructure, or other permitted business requirements. A food business can separately consider financing for eligible expenditure associated with equipment upgrades, storage infrastructure, technology, inventory, or other operating requirements, subject to business loan eligibility, credit assessment, applicable terms, and permitted end use.

Please note: The business loan is separate from FSSAI registration and does not replace the regulatory application, fee, inspection, hygiene, or food-safety requirements. 

1. Start the application

Visit the Business Loan page, select ‘Check Loan Offer’, enter your mobile number, and verify it using the OTP.

2. Provide your details

Enter the requested personal and business information, including your name, PAN, date of birth, PIN code, and banking information.

3. Choose your loan requirement

Enter the required loan amount and select Term Loan, Flexi Dropline Loan, or Flexi Hybrid Term Loan.

4. Select the repayment tenure

Choose a repayment tenure from 12 months to 96 months from the available options.

5. Review and submit

Review the information, complete the required verification and KYC steps, and submit the application for processing.