FSSAI Exam Syllabus 2025 – Stage-1 CBT Pattern & Subject-Wise Topics
FSSAI Exam Syllabus 2025 includes General Intelligence, Awareness, English, Computer Literacy, and Functional Knowledge on food laws & safety. Get full Stage-1 CBT pattern, marks, and subject-wise topics for smart preparation.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conducts a competitive Computer-Based Test (CBT) for posts like Technical Officer, Central Food Safety Officer (CFSO), Assistant, Junior Assistant, Hindi Translator, Assistant Manager (IT) and others. The syllabus includes General Aptitude, Computer Literacy, and Functional Knowledge related to food safety and regulations. This guide presents the exam overview, syllabus, marks distribution, recommended books, preparation tips, specialization/career scope, and FAQs in a structured table format.
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2. Exam Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | FSSAI Recruitment Exam 2025 |
| Conducting Body | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India |
| Posts Covered | Technical Officer, CFSO, Assistant, Junior Assistant, Hindi Translator, Assistant Manager (IT), etc. |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Language | English |
| Selection Process | Stage 1 CBT + Stage 2 CBT (for Technical roles); Single Stage CBT for others |
| Negative Marking | Yes (−1 or −0.5 per wrong answer depending on section) |
| Official Website | https://www.fssai.gov.in |
3. Exam Pattern
3.1 Technical Officer & CFSO
| Stage | Sections | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 CBT | Part A – General Intelligence, General Awareness, English, Computer Literacy Part B – Functional Knowledge |
120 | 480 | 180 minutes |
| Stage 2 CBT | Subject-specific advanced sections (details released later) | — | — | 180 minutes |
3.2 Assistant, Hindi Translator, Other Posts
| Stage | Sections | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single CBT | General Intelligence, General Awareness, English, Computer Literacy, Functional Knowledge | 120 | 480 | 180 minutes |
4. Subject-Wise Syllabus
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| General Intelligence | Analogies, Coding–Decoding, Series, Classification, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Visual/Spatial Reasoning, Problem Solving, Decision Making |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Number Systems, BODMAS/Simplification, HCF–LCM, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Profit–Loss–Discount, Simple & Compound Interest, Time–Work, Time–Distance, Data Interpretation (Tables/Charts) |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Grammar (Tenses, Articles, Prepositions), Vocabulary, Synonyms–Antonyms, Error Spotting, Para Jumbles, Sentence Improvement, Cloze Test |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs (National/International), Indian Polity & Constitution, Economy, Geography, Science & Technology, Environment, Awards & Reports, FSSAI Initiatives and Updates |
| Computer Literacy | Basics of Computers, OS & Internet, MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint, Emails, Shortcuts, Safe Browsing, Social Media Basics |
| Functional Knowledge (Core Food Safety) | Indian & International Food Laws; FSS Act, Rules & Regulations; FSSAI Roles & Functions; Licensing & Registration; Packaging & Labelling; Food Additives, Contaminants & Allergens; Nutrition & Nutraceuticals; Food Chemistry; Food Microbiology & Hygiene; Food-borne Pathogens; Sampling & Laboratory Methods; HACCP & Food Safety Management Systems; Food Processing & Preservation; Cold Chain; Fortification; RUCO; Eat Right India; Clean Street Food initiatives |
5. Marks Distribution – Technical Officer / CFSO Stage 1
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence | 10 | 40 |
| General Awareness | 10 | 40 |
| English Comprehension | 10 | 40 |
| Computer Literacy | 10 | 40 |
| Indian & International Food Laws | 20 | 80 |
| FSSAI Roles & Initiatives | 20 | 80 |
| Subject Matter Knowledge | 40 | 160 |
| Total | 120 | 480 |
| Time Duration | — | 180 minutes |
6. Syllabus PDF Download (Guidance)
| Resource Type | Where to Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notifications/Guides | FSSAI Official Website – Notifications/Recruitment | Look for latest recruitment advertisement and annexures for post-wise syllabus details |
| Food Analyst Exam PDFs | FSSAI Portal – Food Analyst Examination | Useful for laboratory/sampling standards (role-specific) |
| Consolidated Syllabus Notes | Reputed prep platforms & books | Use alongside official notice; always verify with latest FSSAI updates |
7. Recommended Books
| Subject | Book Title | Author/Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preservation | Fruit and Vegetable Preservation: Principles and Practices | R. P. Srivastava & Sanjeev Kumar |
| Food Microbiology | Food Microbiology | W. C. Frazier & D. Westhoff |
| Food Science | Food Science | B. Srilakshmi |
| Functional Knowledge | Food Safety Officer Examination (Subjective) | Suresh Chandra & Durvesh Kumari |
| Complete Guide | A Competition Book for Food Safety Officer | Suresh Chandra, Durvesh Kumari & S. K. Goyal |
| Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R. S. Aggarwal |
| English | Objective General English | S. P. Bakshi |
| Computer Literacy | Basic Computer Course Book | — |
8. Preparation Strategy
| Step | Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the complete syllabus & exam pattern |
| 2 | Create a weekly plan combining aptitude (daily) + technical subjects (deep dives) |
| 3 | Study from recommended books & official FSSAI materials |
| 4 | Practice mock tests & previous year papers under timed conditions |
| 5 | Revise regularly using concise notes and quick-reference sheets |
| 6 | Stay updated with FSSAI initiatives, food law changes, and current affairs |
| 7 | Improve accuracy to minimize negative marking |
| 8 | Attempt full-length 180-minute mocks to perfect time management |
9. Specialization & Career Scope
| Post | Primary Role/Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Technical Officer / CFSO | Inspection, surveillance, and enforcement of food safety laws; compliance, sampling, and reporting |
| Assistant Manager (IT) | Manage FSSAI’s digital platforms, databases, dashboards, and reporting systems |
| Food Analyst | Laboratory testing and analysis of food samples; method validation; quality assurance |
| Assistant / Junior Assistant | Administrative processing, documentation, coordination |
| Hindi Translator | Translate FSSAI documents, reports, and guidelines |
Growth Opportunities: Promotions within FSSAI, roles in State Food Safety Departments, government projects, training & capacity-building roles, and opportunities with international food safety agencies.
10. Conclusion
The FSSAI Exam 2025 is a comprehensive test that allows 180 minutes for Stage 1, covering both aptitude skills and in-depth technical knowledge of food safety. Success in this exam requires a clear understanding of the syllabus, disciplined study planning, regular practice through mock tests, and keeping up-to-date with the latest FSSAI rules, regulations, and initiatives.
11. FAQs
Q: How many stages are in the FSSAI exam?
Two stages for Technical roles (Stage 1 and Stage 2 CBT); single CBT for several other posts.
Q: Is there negative marking?
Yes. Typically −1 or −0.5 per wrong answer depending on section.
Q: Where can I get the official syllabus PDF?
Check the latest recruitment notice on the FSSAI website and relevant annexures. Use reputed prep resources for summaries, but always verify with the official notification.
Q: Which books are best for preparation?
Refer to the Recommended Books table above for technical, aptitude, English, and computer literacy.
Q: What is the difficulty level?
Moderate to tough. Balanced preparation and mock practice are essential.
