FSSAI CFSO Recruitment 2026: Eligibility, Vacancy, Dates & Required Qualifications

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Central Food Safety Officer (CFSO) Recruitment 2026 is around the corner. Food safety recruits have the opportunity to work with the regulation and enforcement of food safety across the nation. This recruitment is expected to be for the Central Food Safety Officer’s role, with possible additional appointments at the Technical Officer and Assistant levels within the FSSAI. As of now, the official notification has not been published, but there are projections of timelines and eligibility.

This article contains the FSSAI CFSO Recruitment 2026, answers to questions related to the recruitment, eligibility, and evaluation criteria, estimated number of vacancies, selection process, pay scale, etc.

FSSAI CFSO Recruitment 2026 Overview

FSSAI CFSO Recruitment 2026 is the recruitment of Central Food Safety Officers and related roles conducted by the FSSAI. This recruitment is important as these Officers are the main enforcers of the food safety laws, conduct monitoring of food production and distribution, and safeguard the health of the general public by eliminating food adulteration and other unwholesome practices.

FSSAI is part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and enforces the nation’s food standards. A CFSO is the most esteemed role within the organisation as it focuses on conducting of audits and enforcing compliance and regulations.

For the most part, recruitments of this nature are most suitable for individuals with a background in science, food technology, agriculture, and the adjacent fields, who wish to work in the area of public health and regulatory governance.

FSSAI CFSO Job Vacancies and Responsibilities

As of now, nothing has been published regarding the number of vacancies for the FSSAI CFSO Recruitment 2026 however, based on the past cycles, we can reasonably expect certain vacancies to arise. These vacancies span both inspection and evaluation of food safety and other related technologies.

Additionally, they are most likely to experience a balanced combination of regulatory, laboratory, and field roles pertaining to food safety within production, storage, and distribution systems.

• Central Food Safety Officer (CFSO) – Core role in regulatory enforcement and inspection
• Technical Officer (TO) – Food science, quality assurance, and testing specialist.
• Assistant and Junior Roles – In support of regulatory and operational functions.

Exact numbers of vacancies can only be confirmed in the official notification. However, candidates can anticipate several openings, as was the case in previous recruitment rounds for Food Analyst and Technical Officer positions.

FSSAI CFSO Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Education and Age Limit

Understanding the eligibility criteria from CFSO and the corresponding FSSAI positions is essential for candidates, as these are the baseline requirements FSSAI expects in the official notification. The criteria are aimed at candidates who possess the requisite scientific knowledge as well as the requisite formal education.

Educational Qualification for FSSAI CFSO

To meet the requirements for FSSAI CFSO and the equivalent positions, candidates must have, in the majority of cases, one or more of the qualifications listed below in order to have a basic understanding of food science and the standards and practices of the lab.

A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, Agricultural Science, Veterinary Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry, Environmental Health, or related fields from a recognized university or institution.

Different positions have different specifications, some of which may be more varied. For example, Technical Officer or Food Analyst positions may require other specific degrees or certificates.

Age Limit for FSSAI CFSO

The CFSO FSSAI 2026 does not have an officially stated age limit; however, previous FSSAI Recruitment drives have stated upper age limits between 30-35 years for senior positions, such as CFSO and Technical Officer. There is an age limit relaxation for government reserved categories such as OBC, SC/ST, and PwBD.

Important Dates

Candidates need to keep these dates in mind to help plan out their strategies. Important dates need to be tracked to avoid missing an open window for applications once there is an official statement.

• Official Notification Release- March to April 2026
• Start of Online Applications- Immediately after the release of the notification
• End of Application Submission- Applications usually take 3-4 weeks to process.
• Exam/ CBT- Expected to be around the middle of the year for 2026 (ex. July to August)

Any changes will be noted once there is an official release from the FSSAI. Candidates will need to check the websites regularly to be updated on these timelines as well as their respective exam centers.

FSSAI CFSO Selection Process & Document Verification

The FSSAI CFSO selection process is usually organized around candidates demonstrating their knowledge of the food safety standard and other ancillary scientific and regulatory frameworks. This process ensures that the candidates have an understanding of their technical and enforcement roles.

• Written Examination or Computer-Based Test (CBT): Questions regarding laws, science, general awareness, and reasoning about food safety
• Interview or Personality Test (if applicable): To assess analytical thinking and other aspects
• Document Verification: Last phase for candidates who qualify

Some roles, especially Technical Officer or Food Analyst, might have additional practical or skill-based assessments.

FSSAI CFSO Salary & Job Profile

Being a Central Food Safety Officer or similar position in FSSAI is rewarding as it offers a competitive salary and other advantages of a central government job. These roles offer a fixed salary, promotion opportunities, and additional benefits.

The selected candidates are provided with job stability, training, and deployment in various states of India.

Some of the duties include:

• Monitoring food production and storage facilities to enforce safety regulations
• Supervising regular sampling and laboratory analysis of food products
• Monitoring compliance to food safety laws
• Conducting awareness programs and regulatory assessments

How to Apply Online

Eligible candidates must fill out the application on the FSSAI online portal as soon as the official notification is published. It is important to fill out the application in detail to prevent rejection during the verification process.

Steps to submit an application with FSSAI include:

• Visit FSSAI official careers website
• Register with an email and mobile number
• Log into the recruitment portal
• Complete the application with accurate personal and educational information
• Provide scanned copies of the necessary documents
• Pay the application fee (if required)
• Submit the application and download the confirmation for your records

Completing each step properly is important.

Career Advancement Opportunities with FSSAI CFSO

Passing the FSSAI CFSO recruitment exam offers immediate job placement and many career advancement opportunities in food safety and public health. Officers can be promoted to higher regulatory roles, or take on specialized positions in food quality policy and enforcement.

FSSAI roles are impactful because of their direct service to the public and regulatory roles, making these positions fulfilling careers.

The FSSAI CFSO Recruitment 2026 is a valuable opportunity for graduates in the areas of science, food technology, and agriculture to start their careers in an important government job. This recruitment is particularly suited for candidates who are looking to work in the areas of food safety and regulation, as there will be available positions, a structured selection process, a central government salary, and good job opportunities.