The most common question we get from new food business owners is simple: which FSSAI license do I actually need? The answer changed significantly on April 1, 2026, when FSSAI revised its turnover thresholds across the board. If any guide you read mentions Rs. 12 lakhs as the Basic Registration limit, that information is now outdated.
This guide gives you the current 2026 rules, a side-by-side comparison, and a simple tool to figure out which one applies to your business right now.
📋 In this guide
1. Quick Answer — Which License Do You Need?
🎯 Answer one question:
What is your approximate annual food business turnover?
Govt fee: Rs. 100/year. Simple 4-document process. 3–7 working days.
Get Basic Registration — Rs. 999 all-inclusive →
Govt fee: Rs. 2,000–5,000/year. Inspection usually required. 30–60 days.
Get a State License quote →
Govt fee: Rs. 7,500/year. For large manufacturers, importers, exporters, pan-India chains.
Get a Central License quote →
2. Full Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Basic Registration | State License | Central License |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover limit | Up to Rs. 1.5 Crore/year | Rs. 1.5 Cr – Rs. 50 Cr/year | Above Rs. 50 Crore/year |
| Govt fee | Rs. 100/year | Rs. 2,000–5,000/year | Rs. 7,500/year |
| Validity (from Apr 2026) | Perpetual — no expiry | Perpetual — no expiry | Perpetual — no expiry |
| Processing time | 3–7 working days | 30–60 days | 60–90 days |
| Form used | Form A | Form B | Form B |
| Inspection required? | Rarely | Usually yes | Yes |
| Key documents | Aadhaar, PAN, photo, address proof | Above + layout plan, NOC, food category list | Above + incorporation docs, audited financials |
| Issued by | District FSO | State Food Safety Commissioner | Central FSSAI, New Delhi |
| Our consulting fee | Rs. 999 all-inclusive | Custom quote | Custom quote |
3. FSSAI Basic Registration — Who It Is For
Basic Registration is designed for small food businesses. The April 2026 revision expanded the eligible range significantly. A cloud kitchen doing Rs. 1 Crore in annual revenue — which would previously have needed a State License — now qualifies for the simpler and cheaper Basic Registration.
Businesses that typically need Basic Registration:
- Home chefs selling on Swiggy, Zomato, or Instagram
- Tiffin and dabba services operating from home
- Home bakeries and small cloud kitchens under Rs. 1.5 Crore turnover
- Small food stalls, carts, and hawkers
- Cottage food producers — homemade pickles, jams, snacks
- Small retailers selling packaged food products
- Catering businesses below the Rs. 1.5 Crore threshold
The process is straightforward: 4 documents, Form A on the FoSCoS portal, Rs. 100 government fee, and typically 3–7 working days for approval. Under the March 2026 instant registration update, clean submissions may be approved the same day.
Read the full process: How to Get FSSAI Registration Online — Step by Step (2026 Guide).
Need Basic Registration? We handle it for Rs. 999
Documents, FoSCoS filing, FSO follow-up — all done by our team. Govt fee included. 3–7 working days.
Apply for Basic Registration →4. FSSAI State License — Who It Is For
A State License is required for food businesses with annual turnover between Rs. 1.5 Crore and Rs. 50 Crore. This covers mid-size restaurants, established cloud kitchens, food manufacturers distributing within one state, and larger catering operations.
Businesses that typically need a State License:
- Restaurants, dhabas, and cafes with turnover above Rs. 1.5 Crore
- Food manufacturers and processors selling within one state
- Hotels and catering companies above the Basic Registration threshold
- Cold storage units and food warehouses
- Distributors and wholesalers of food products within one state
The State License process is more involved than Basic Registration. An inspection of your premises is usually required. The government fee ranges from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000 per year depending on your business activity type. Processing typically takes 30–60 days.
5. FSSAI Central License — Who It Is For
A Central License is required if your annual turnover exceeds Rs. 50 Crore, or if you fall into these categories regardless of turnover:
- Importers and exporters of food products
- Food businesses operating across more than one state
- Large food manufacturers with pan-India distribution
- Dairy processing, meat processing, and large beverage manufacturers
- 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs)
- Food businesses in airports, seaports, or government facilities
The Central License is issued by FSSAI headquarters in New Delhi — not by the state authority. It involves the most documentation, a mandatory inspection, and typically takes 60–90 days. The government fee is Rs. 7,500 per year.
6. Perpetual Validity — What It Means for You
This is the biggest practical change from the April 2026 amendments. Previously, FSSAI registrations and licenses had to be renewed every 1 to 5 years. Missing a renewal deadline meant a lapse in your license, potential penalties, and suspension of your food platform listings.
From April 1, 2026 onwards, all new FSSAI registrations and licenses have perpetual validity. This means:
- You register once — no renewal required ever
- No annual or periodic renewal fees
- No risk of accidentally letting your license lapse
- Your FSSAI number stays with your business permanently
7. Can You Upgrade Later?
Yes. If you start with Basic Registration and your turnover grows beyond Rs. 1.5 Crore, you apply for a State License separately. There is no penalty for upgrading and your history on FoSCoS is maintained.
Our advice: if you are just starting out or comfortably below the Rs. 1.5 Crore threshold, start with Basic Registration. The process is faster, cheaper, and far simpler. Upgrade only when your turnover genuinely crosses the limit.
Do not apply for a State License just to be safe if Basic Registration covers you. It costs 20–50x more in government fees, takes weeks longer, and involves a physical inspection — for no extra benefit at your scale.
8. How to Apply
All three license types are applied for through the FoSCoS portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in. Basic Registration uses Form A. State and Central licenses use Form B.
For the full step-by-step Basic Registration walkthrough, including the FoSCoS portal steps and common mistakes to avoid: How to Get FSSAI Registration Online — Step by Step (2026 Guide).
If you prefer not to deal with the portal yourself, we handle the complete application for you:
- Basic Registration — Rs. 999 all-inclusive
- State License — get a custom quote
- Central License — get a custom quote
Not sure which one applies to you? Ask us directly.
Fill in your business details and our team will confirm which license you need and what documents to prepare — free, no obligation.
Check My Eligibility →Related: FSSAI Registration Online — Step by Step · FSSAI License Renewal · Basic Registration — Rs. 999