FSSAI Group B & C Recruitment 2026 offers a unique opportunity for serving government and PSU officers to join India’s premier food safety regulator through deputation. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, operating under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is a statutory body responsible for ensuring food safety across the nation, making it a prestigious organization for mid-career government professionals seeking lateral advancement.
This recruitment drive, notified via Circular DEP-01/2026, invites deputation applications from eligible Central Government, State Government, Union Territory, PSU, and autonomous organization officers for 11 vacancies spanning Senior Private Secretary, Assistant Manager (IT), Assistant, and Junior Assistant Grade-I positions. The online application window runs from 30th May 2026 to 19th June 2026, with physical hard copies to be submitted by 13th July 2026. Visit the official portal at https://www.fssai.gov.in to begin your application process. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official notification before applying.
Note: All information is sourced from the official notification. Candidates are advised to verify all details from the official website before applying.
Notification Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) |
| Circular Number | DEP-01/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 11 |
| Post Categories | Group B & C |
| Appointment Type | Deputation (including Short-Term Contract) on Foreign Service Terms |
| Application Mode | Online + Physical Hard Copy |
| Eligibility | Serving Central/State Government, UT, PSU, University, and Autonomous Organization Officers |
| Official Website | https://www.fssai.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Circular Release Date | 30th May 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 30th May 2026 |
| Online Application Deadline | 19th June 2026 |
| Hard Copy Submission Deadline | 13th July 2026 |
| Age Limit Calculated As On | 19th June 2026 |
Vacancy Details & Job Profile
| Post Code | Post Name | Number of Vacancies | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP-01/2026-01 | Senior Private Secretary | 2 | Group B |
| DEP-01/2026-02 | Assistant Manager (IT) | 1 | Group B |
| DEP-01/2026-03 | Assistant | 6 | Group B |
| DEP-01/2026-04 | Junior Assistant Grade-I | 2 | Group C |
Role & Responsibilities
Each position within FSSAI deputation offers distinct responsibilities aligned with the organization’s food safety mandate. Senior Private Secretaries provide high-level administrative and secretarial support to senior leadership, managing confidential correspondence and coordinating policy implementation across departments. Assistant Managers (IT) lead technology infrastructure initiatives, system design, and cybersecurity protocols critical to FSSAI’s digital operations and national food safety database management. Assistants handle administrative, financial, and compliance functions, including vendor management, record maintenance, and coordination with state food safety authorities-skills essential for India’s distributed regulatory framework. Junior Assistants Grade-I provide foundational administrative support, data entry, and office management tasks. Career progression within FSSAI deputation can lead to permanent absorption, senior-level postings, or specialized roles in emerging areas such as blockchain-based food traceability and laboratory automation.
Age Limit
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Age Limit | 56 years (as on 19th June 2026) |
| Age Relaxation | As per government norms for deputation appointments |
Educational Qualification & Experience
| Post | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Senior Private Secretary (Group B, Pay Level-08) | Must hold an analogous post regularly in the parent cadre, OR possess 2+ years regular service in Pay Level-6 or equivalent. Bachelor’s Degree required. |
| Assistant Manager (IT) (Group B, Pay Level-07) | Must hold an analogous post OR have 5+ years regular service in Pay Level-6 or equivalent. Must possess B.Tech/M.Tech in Computer Science, Engineering, MCA, or equivalent Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. |
| Assistant (Group B, Pay Level-06) | Must hold an analogous post OR have 10+ years regular service in Pay Level-4 or equivalent. Bachelor’s Degree required. Additional 3+ years of experience in administration, human resource development, or vigilance matters, depending on the requirement. |
| Junior Assistant Grade-I (Group C, Pay Level-04) | Must hold an analogous post OR have 8+ years regular service in Pay Level-2 or equivalent. 12th Standard or equivalent from a recognized Board/University. |
Pay Scale
| Post | Pay Level | Monthly Pay Range |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Private Secretary | Level-08 | ₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100 |
| Assistant Manager (IT) | Level-07 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Assistant | Level-06 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Junior Assistant Grade-I | Level-04 | ₹25,500 – ₹81,100 |
All salary components follow the 7th Pay Commission framework under Central Government pay scales. Officials from PSU or autonomous bodies on IDA (Indian Dearness Allowance) basis should cross-reference the IDA-CDA equivalency table provided in the official notification to verify their eligibility.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| All Categories | Nil (No Fee) |
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Online Application Submission | Complete the online form between 30th May and 19th June 2026 with the required personal, service, and experience details. |
| Step 2: Employer Certification | Obtain duly certified printout of online application from your employer or Cadre Controlling Authority in the prescribed format. |
| Step 3: Document Compilation | Gather certified photocopies of integrity certificate, vigilance clearance, penalty records (last 10 years), and certified APARs (last 5 years). |
| Step 4: Hard Copy Submission | Submit complete application package through official channel to reach FSSAI by 13th July 2026. |
| Step 5: Merit Assessment | FSSAI reviews applications, service records, and eligibility; selected candidates may be called for interaction or verification. |
| Step 6: Final Appointment | Competent Authority grants deputation approval for tenure of 1-3 years (post-dependent) in first instance, subject to vacancy availability. |
How to Apply for FSSAI Group B & C Recruitment 2026
- Navigate to the official FSSAI website at https://www.fssai.gov.in and locate the recruitment or careers section.
- Search for Circular DEP-01/2026 and review the complete notification with eligibility criteria and post-specific requirements.
- Click on the “Apply Online” or designated recruitment portal link and register with your personal details to obtain a unique application ID.
- Fill the online application form with your service details, educational qualifications, experience, and contact information as required.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents (photograph, signature, certificates), adhering to specified file size and format restrictions.
- Review your completed application thoroughly for accuracy and consistency before final submission.
- Submit the form and note down your FSSAI Application ID, which will be essential for the next stage.
- Take a printout of the completed online application form and submit it to your employer or Cadre Controlling Authority for official certification in the prescribed format.
- Compile all supporting documents: integrity certificate, vigilance clearance certificate, detailed penalty records, and certified APARs for the last 5 years (attested by an officer of Under Secretary rank or above).
- Prepare the complete hard copy package with the certified online application printout and all supporting documents.
- Send the hard copy package through the proper official channel to reach the Administrative Officer, Recruitment Cell, FSSAI, Room No. 312, 3rd Floor, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi by 13th July 2026.
💡 Expert Tip: Ensure your employer certification is obtained at least 5 days before the hard copy deadline to account for postal delays. Keep detailed records of APARS spanning exactly 5 years with officer attestations to avoid rejection. Verify that your current pay level matches the eligibility criteria before submitting. Pay scale equivalency confusion has resulted in disqualifications in previous FSSAI recruitment cycles.
Important Instructions
Applicants must note several critical requirements for successful consideration. Applications submitted exclusively online without a physical hard copy, or hard copies received without corresponding online application numbers, face automatic cancellation. Both components are mandatory and complementary. Departmental officers already in the direct line of promotion within their parent cadre are ineligible for deputation consideration and must not apply. Once submitted, applications cannot be withdrawn, so a thorough review before submission is strongly advised. The age limit is calculated as on the online application closing date (19th June 2026), not on the hard copy deadline. Candidates whose service records reflect disciplinary action, vigilance proceedings, or unsatisfactory APAR ratings may face rejection during merit assessment.
Tenure & Extension
All deputation appointments shall be for an initial period not exceeding 1, 2, or 3 years, depending on the specific post, subject to the availability of sanctioned vacancies at FSSAI. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the Competent Authority following performance evaluation and consultation with the parent department. Importantly, deputation to FSSAI is exempted from the immediate absorption rule, meaning permanent absorption is not automatic and depends on organizational requirements and individual performance during the deputation period.
IDA-CDA Pay Scale Equivalency
| CDA Pay Level | Equivalent IDA Scale |
|---|---|
| Level 6 (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400) | E0 (₹30,000 – ₹1,20,000) |
| Level 7 (₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) | E1 (₹40,000 – ₹1,40,000) |
| Level 8 (₹47,600 – ₹1,51,100) | E2 (₹50,000 – ₹1,60,000) |
| Level 10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) | E3 (₹60,000 – ₹1,80,000) |
| Level 11 (₹67,700 – ₹2,08,700) | E4 (₹70,000 – ₹2,00,000) |
| Level 12 (₹78,800 – ₹2,09,200) | E5 (₹80,000 – ₹2,20,000) or E6 (₹90,000 – ₹2,40,000) |
| Level 13 (₹1,23,100 – ₹2,15,900) | E7 (₹1,00,000 – ₹2,60,000) |
| Level 14 (₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200) | E8 (₹1,20,000 – ₹2,80,000) |
Officials from PSU, semi-government, statutory, or autonomous organizations whose salaries are structured on an IDA basis must use this equivalency chart to determine if their current pay level aligns with eligibility requirements for the deputation posts.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Visit Official Website |
| Recruitment Notification | Download Notification |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the FSSAI Group B & C Recruitment 2026, and who can apply?
Ans. FSSAI Group B & C Recruitment 2026 is a deputation-based recruitment for serving officers from the Central Government, State Government, Union Territories, PSUs, Universities, and autonomous organizations. Direct applicants from the open market are not eligible; only candidates currently holding regular government or PSU positions can apply.
Q2. What is the application deadline for FSSAI Group B & C Recruitment 2026?
Ans. The online application deadline is 19th June 2026, and the hard copy submission deadline through the proper official channel is 13th July 2026. Both deadlines are mandatory; applications must be submitted online first, followed by a physical hard copy.
Q3. What is the age limit for FSSAI deputation recruitment?
Ans. The maximum age limit is 56 years as on 19th June 2026 (the online application closing date). Age relaxation follows applicable government norms for deputation appointments.
Q4. How many vacancies are available and which posts are being filled?
Ans. A total of 11 vacancies are available: Senior Private Secretary (2), Assistant Manager (IT) (1), Assistant (6), and Junior Assistant Grade-I (2). All posts are on a deputation basis for an initial tenure of 1-3 years, depending on the post.
Q5. What is the application fee for FSSAI Group B & C Recruitment 2026?
Ans. There is no application fee. The recruitment is conducted free of cost for all eligible candidates, and no fee payment is required for online or hard copy submission.
Q6. What documents are required for hard copy submission?
Ans. Required documents include: certified online application printout with employer certification, integrity certificate, vigilance clearance certificate, detailed penalty records for the last 10 years, and certified APARs (attested by an officer of Under Secretary rank or above) for the last 5 years.
Q7. Can I withdraw my application after submission?
Ans. No, applications cannot be withdrawn once submitted. Candidates should thoroughly review all information and eligibility requirements before final submission to avoid this situation.
