Suppose a cloud kitchen in Delhi is ready to open, the menu is printed and the delivery platform asks for an FSSAI number. The owner discovers that the category depends on the kind of business, the turnover and the premises, and that the rules changed on 1 April 2026. Getting the best FSSAI registration in Delhi therefore starts with picking the right category, not with filling a form quickly.
The 2026 reforms are significant. The basic registration limit rose from ₹12 lakh to ₹1.5 crore, the State licence band now runs up to ₹50 crore, and registrations and licences issued from 1 April 2026 have perpetual validity. That means fewer renewals, but the annual fee, display board, invoice number and conditions still apply.
This page explains the three categories, who needs which one, what to keep ready, how the FoSCoS process works, what the yearly fees are, and what to do after the certificate. We explain what drives our custom quote in place of giving a figure that may not suit your business.
What FSSAI registration is and why every food business needs it
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates food businesses under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Anyone who manufactures, stores, distributes, sells or serves food generally needs either a registration or a licence. The system for applying, paying and tracking is FoSCoS, the Food Safety Compliance System, at foscos.fssai.gov.in.
There are three levels. Basic registration is for the smallest operators. A State licence covers mid-sized businesses and many specified categories. A Central licence covers the largest businesses and categories that FSSAI treats as central regardless of turnover. The fee, documents and conditions grow with the level.
What changed in 2026
- Turnover limits were raised: basic registration up to ₹1.5 crore, State licence above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore and Central licence above ₹50 crore, effective 1 April 2026
- Registrations and licences issued from 1 April 2026 have perpetual validity, so there is no renewal, unless they are suspended, cancelled or surrendered
- Existing holders are migrated on FoSCoS based on their self-declaration, with the number unchanged and no fee for threshold-led migration
- Risk-based inspection is meant to reduce repeated inspections for compliant businesses
- Street vendors registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 are treated as registered under FSSAI
These points come from the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified on 10 March 2026, and FSSAI's order dated 13 March 2026. Some operational details, such as the annual return, continue to be clarified on FoSCoS, so we check the portal before filing.
Which category applies to your business
Turnover is only half the answer. The FoSCoS Kind of Business list assigns a category by what you do and by your turnover together. A small caterer, for instance, has no registration row in the list and starts with a State licence, whereas a small restaurant with low turnover can register for ₹100 per year.
| Category | Annual turnover | Fee per year (many categories) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic registration | Up to ₹1.5 crore | ₹100 |
| State licence | Above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore | ₹5,000 |
| Central licence | Above ₹50 crore | ₹7,500 |
Based on FSSAI's order dated 13 March 2026 and the FoSCoS Kind of Business list updated 1 April 2026. Exact fees vary by kind of business.
Kinds of business that need a Central licence regardless of turnover
- Importers and e-commerce operators
- Trader or merchant exporters and 100% export-oriented units, and exporter-manufacturers
- Five-star and above hotels
- Food businesses at airports, seaports and central government premises
- Proprietary foods, health supplements and nutraceuticals, and certain other specified product types
- Businesses operating in two or more states, which must declare a head or registered office
Grain, cereal and pulse milling units are another special case: they are listed for a State licence at ₹5,000 with no turnover cap. Because the list is detailed, we read the entry for your exact kind of business before choosing a category.
A hypothetical example shows how it works. A restaurant in Delhi with annual turnover of about ₹90 lakh would typically fall within basic registration. If the same restaurant grew to about ₹2 crore it would move into State licence territory, and the owner would apply for a modification on FoSCoS.
Who needs FSSAI in Delhi
Delhi has a large mix of restaurants, sweet shops, cloud kitchens, grocery and dairy retailers, wholesalers in the big markets, packaged food brands and home bakers. All of them are food business operators in the eyes of the law, whatever their size.
- Restaurants, cafes, dhabas, cloud kitchens and caterers
- Retail stores, kirana shops, bakeries and dairy outlets
- Wholesalers, distributors and food transport operators
- Manufacturers, processors and packers, including home-based units
- Cold storage and warehouse operators for food
- E-commerce sellers and operators of food platforms
- Importers and exporters of food products
Home kitchens and online sellers
A home baker who sells cakes to neighbours and through Instagram is generally still a food business once sales are made regularly for money, even if production happens in a home kitchen. Such operators usually start with basic registration if turnover is within the limit. Platforms and marketplaces often ask for the number before they list a product, so it is sensible to apply before launch rather than after the first order arrives. If the business sells through its own website, the FSSAI number should appear there too.
Selling on a delivery app or marketplace almost always requires an FSSAI number before the listing goes live. If your business is also in other parts of NCR, the process is the same, though the state food safety department that handles your file depends on the premises. See our pages for Gurugram and Noida if that applies.
Documents and the step-by-step process
Documents vary with the category. A small operator filing for basic registration needs fewer papers than a manufacturer applying for a State licence, but the basic principle is the same: premises proof, identity proof and a clear list of what you handle.
Documents usually needed
- Photo identity proof and a passport-size photograph of the applicant
- Proof of possession of the premises, such as a rent agreement, ownership paper or utility bill
- Entity papers: partnership deed, incorporation certificate or a declaration for a proprietor
- List of food products or categories handled
- For licences, a layout plan, food safety management plan and, where required, trained supervisor details and a water test report
- For e-commerce and importers, GST and IEC details and a head office declaration for multi-state operators
Step by step
Step 1: Decide the category
Match the kind of business and turnover to registration, State licence or Central licence.
Step 2: Prepare the documents
Collect proofs and, for licences, prepare the layout plan and safety details.
Step 3: Fill the application on FoSCoS
Choose the kind of business, enter premises and product details and upload documents.
Step 4: Pay the fee and submit
Pay the annual fee for your category and submit to the authority.
Step 5: Authority review
In Delhi the Designated Officer of the concerned district reviews registration and State licence files. Inspection may be requested.
Step 6: Receive and display
Collect the certificate, display the number and board, and update invoices and labels.
Delhi's Department of Food Safety citizen charter lists 7 days for registration and 30 days for licences. These are the authority's stated disposal timelines for complete applications, not a promise from us. Delays usually come from missing documents, a mismatched kind of business or an inspection that needs to be scheduled.
Fees and how our custom quote works
FSSAI fees are charged per year, and the amount depends on the kind of business listed on FoSCoS. The portal also allows you to pay for several years at once. Because validity is now perpetual for registrations and licences issued from 1 April 2026, the annual fee is the recurring cost to plan for.
| Category | Fee per year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic registration | ₹100 | Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore. |
| State licence | ₹5,000 for many categories | Turnover above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore; exact fee by kind of business. |
| Central licence | ₹7,500 for many categories | Above ₹50 crore, or listed categories irrespective of turnover. |
| Selected categories | ₹0 or ₹2,000 | Hawkers and Anganwadi centres at ₹0; some central government canteens and railway premises at ₹2,000. |
| PC Media House professional fee | Custom quote | Based on category, premises, documents and any upgrade, modification or surrender. |
Fees are from the FoSCoS Kind of Business list updated 1 April 2026. Confirm the fee for your exact kind of business on the portal.
What shapes the custom quote
- The category and kind of business, since a manufacturing licence needs more preparation than a retail registration
- The number of premises, because each premises generally needs its own registration or licence
- Whether a layout plan, food safety plan or trained supervisor has to be arranged
- Modification, upgrade, downgrade or surrender of an existing record
- Clean, complete documents; gaps cost time on both sides
We send an itemised quote after a short call. It separates government fees paid by you on FoSCoS from our professional fee, and it states clearly what we will and will not do.
After the certificate: annual fee, display board, invoices and labels
Perpetual validity does not mean the paperwork ends. It means renewals are replaced by a lighter set of continuing obligations. These are worth putting into a routine from the first week.
Annual fee and records
The annual fee must be paid for the licence or registration to stay active, and reports on the 2026 amendment indicate that unpaid fees can lead to suspension, during which food business activity is not allowed. Certain licence holders, such as manufacturers and importers, also file annual returns, and non-filing can lead to suspension. If the business closes, the operator should notify the authority in writing within 30 days and surrender the certificate. FoSCoS is the place to check what applies to you.
Display board and invoice number
The Food Safety Display Board shows your FSSAI number, hygiene practices and a consumer feedback channel. An FSSAI order of 19 September 2018 requires restaurants to display it at a prominent place, and boards are available by business type on the FSSAI website. A separate FSSAI order requires the 14-digit number on cash receipts, invoices and bills, with enforcement from 1 January 2022.
Labels, upgrades and linked registrations
- Update the FSSAI number on labels, packaging, invoices and records after any new certificate or category change
- File a modification on FoSCoS if your turnover moves past the limit of your category
- Keep GST and accounts in order through GST registration and bookkeeping support
- Consider Udyam registration for credit and scheme access
- If you plan to export, see IEC registration
- Protect your food brand name through trademark registration
Basic registration, State licence and Central licence compared
The three categories differ in fee, paperwork, the authority that grants them and the businesses they suit.
| Point | Basic registration | State or Central licence |
|---|---|---|
| Annual turnover | Up to ₹1.5 crore | State: above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore; Central: above ₹50 crore |
| Fee per year (many categories) | ₹100 | State: ₹5,000; Central: ₹7,500 |
| Documents | Lighter set: identity, photograph, premises and product list | Layout plan, safety plan, trained supervisor and category-specific papers |
| Authority in Delhi | District Designated Officer, Delhi Department of Food Safety | State: Delhi Department of Food Safety; Central: FSSAI central licensing authority |
| Validity | Perpetual from 1 April 2026, subject to conditions | Perpetual from 1 April 2026, subject to conditions |
| Categories that cannot use it | Importers, e-commerce, exporters and others on the list | Not applicable |
The right category depends on the kind of business and turnover together.
Choosing the cheaper option is not always the right one. Filing under the wrong category can lead to a rejected application, a later correction or a penalty for operating without the right licence.
If you are unsure, start from the Kind of Business list on FoSCoS, find your activity, and read the three turnover rows against your last financial year and your expected next year. Businesses that are growing fast should look ahead, because an upgrade means another filing and, sometimes, a fresh round of documents.
Common mistakes to avoid
Most FSSAI problems are caused by choices made in the first ten minutes of the application.
- Choosing basic registration when the kind of business or turnover needs a State or Central licence
- Selecting the wrong kind of business on FoSCoS, which changes the fee and the conditions
- Using one registration for several outlets when each premises needs its own
- Opening the doors before the grant arrives
- Not printing the FSSAI number on invoices and labels, or missing the display board
- Letting the annual fee lapse and discovering the suspension at an inspection
- Relying on an old guide that still shows the ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore limits
Another trap is mixing up the roles of different registrations. FSSAI is not a substitute for a shop and establishment licence, health trade licence or GST registration. Read our overview of company registration mistakes to avoid similar errors when you set up the entity itself.
How PC Media House handles FSSAI applications
PC Media House is based in Delhi and handles FSSAI work online for food businesses across Delhi NCR and India. A short call helps us understand your kind of business, premises and turnover. After that we prepare the document set, fill the application and guide you through submission.
- An itemised custom quote with a clear scope before work begins
- A category recommendation that explains why a particular level applies
- A document checklist matched to your kind of business
- FoSCoS filing with your confirmation before submission
- Follow-up on authority queries and help scheduling an inspection if one is requested
- A written note on the display board, invoice number, labels and annual fee
We cannot promise the date or outcome of a grant, because the authority decides on every application. What we can do is present a complete and correct file. To talk about your business, use the contact page, or see our wider business registration services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
From 1 April 2026, basic registration covers annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, a State licence covers turnover above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore, and a Central licence covers turnover above ₹50 crore. Earlier limits were ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore. Some kinds of business need a licence irrespective of turnover.
The official fee is per year and depends on category. On the FoSCoS list updated 1 April 2026, basic registration is ₹100, many State licence categories are ₹5,000 and many Central licence categories are ₹7,500. PC Media House charges a custom quote for preparation and filing, itemised before we begin.
Registrations and licences issued from 1 April 2026 have perpetual validity and stay valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered. The annual fee must still be paid, and it can be paid for several years in advance. Existing holders are migrated on FoSCoS, so check your status and the fee due on the portal.
If turnover exceeds your category's limit, you file a modification on FoSCoS to move up. If you fall into a lower category, you apply for the new category and surrender the old licence. FSSAI says migration caused by the 2026 threshold change is automatic for existing holders, with the number unchanged and no fee.
Under the FoSCoS list, categories such as importers, e-commerce operators, trader or merchant exporters, 100% export-oriented units, five-star and above hotels, food businesses at airports and seaports, and operators in more than one state with a declared head office need a Central licence. Check your exact kind of business before applying.
It is a colour-coded board showing your FSSAI number, hygiene practices and a consumer feedback channel. A 2018 FSSAI order requires restaurants to display it prominently, and other food businesses are covered in phases. You can download the board for your kind of business from the FSSAI website and print it, usually on A3 for licensed premises.
Yes. An FSSAI order requires the 14-digit licence or registration number on cash receipts, invoices, bills and similar sale documents, enforced from 1 January 2022. After moving category or receiving a new certificate, update the number on labels, packaging, invoices and records, and phase out old materials.
Delhi's Department of Food Safety citizen charter lists 7 days for registration and 30 days for licences, counted for a complete application. Actual time depends on document quality, any inspection and the authority's workload. We cannot promise a date, but a complete, correct file is the best way to avoid delay.
Reports on the 2026 amendment indicate that non-payment of the annual fee leads to suspension, and a suspended business cannot carry on food business activity until the fee is paid. Keep track of the fee through FoSCoS and the registered email, and pay for several years together if you prefer.
You should not start food business activity without the registration or licence, as operating without one can attract penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act. Wait for the grant, or ask the authority what is permitted in your case. It is better to file early than to open without the paper in place.
Sources and Official Links
Facts on this page were checked against the sources below, last reviewed on 7 October 2026. Fees, thresholds and rules can change, so confirm the current position on the official site before you pay or file.
- fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2026/03/69b4054bb6cd6Order%20dated%2013thMarch2026_Revised%20Turnover%20threshold.pdf
- fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2026/03/69c6a23234827order_27032026.pdf
- fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Press%20Release_FSSAI%20Reforms_130326.pdf
- pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2278119®=6&lang=1
- foscos.fssai.gov.in/assets/docs/Revised_2ndApril2026KindofBusinessEligibility.pdf
- foscos.fssai.gov.in
- mail.fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2021/10/6156936ac80bbOrder_License_Number_Print_01_10_2021.pdf
- foodsafetyhelpline.com/food-safety-display-boards
- foodsafety.delhi.gov.in/foodsafety/citizen-charter
- ssrana.in/articles/fssai-raises-turnover-limits-for-food-business-registration-and-licensing
- scconline.com/blog/?p=378458
- setindiabiz.com/blog/fssai-2026-reforms