Guide
FSSAI Basic vs State vs Central: Which Category Applies?
Complianceer Team · Sep 16, 2026 · 6 min read
Compare FSSAI Basic Registration, State Licence and Central Licence for 2026: new turnover limits, Central-only activities, fees, forms and how to pick.
Quick answer: From 1 April 2026, Basic Registration covers food businesses with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, a State Licence covers ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore, and a Central Licence covers turnover above ₹50 crore. Importers, ecommerce platforms and several notified activities need a Central Licence whatever their turnover, so confirm your Kind of Business on FoSCoS before paying.
Choosing the wrong FSSAI category wastes government fees and weeks of processing time. If you file a Basic Registration when you need a licence, the authority can reject the application, and trading on the wrong category can expose you to penalties. This guide compares all three categories side by side and gives you a decision process you can run in ten minutes.
The three categories at a glance
| Feature | Basic Registration | State Licence | Central Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover band (from 1 April 2026) | Up to ₹1.5 crore | Above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore | Above ₹50 crore |
| Application form | Form A | Form B | Form B |
| Issuing authority | Registering Authority (local) | State Food Safety Commissioner | FSSAI Central Licensing Authority |
| Annual government fee | ₹100 | ₹5,000 for most KoBs | ₹7,500 |
| Inspection before grant | Possible | Common for manufacturers | Common |
| Annual return (Form D-1) | Not usually | Manufacturers, repackers, relabellers | Manufacturers, importers |
FSSAI raised these thresholds through its order of 13 March 2026. Before that, Basic Registration stopped at ₹12 lakh and the Central threshold was ₹20 crore for many activities, so older articles online may give you outdated limits.
Basic Registration
Basic Registration is for petty food businesses: small manufacturers who sell their own food, petty retailers, hawkers, temporary stall holders and home-based sellers with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore. Caterers are an exception: they need at least a State Licence whatever their turnover. The paperwork is light: photo ID, premises proof and a product list on Form A. You get a 14-digit registration number that you must display at your shop and print on any packaged food. Start with our Basic Registration service.
State Licence
A State Licence suits mid-size businesses operating within one state: restaurants, caterers, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, storage units and retailers with turnover above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore. Hotels up to four-star also fall here. The licence is issued by the state food safety department after document review and, often, an inspection. Expect to submit a layout plan for manufacturing units, an FSMS plan and a Form IX nomination. See the State Licence service.
Central Licence
A Central Licence is issued by FSSAI's central licensing authority. You need one if:
- Turnover is above ₹50 crore
- You import food or food ingredients into India
- You run an ecommerce platform that facilitates food orders
- You make proprietary foods, health supplements or nutraceuticals
- You operate a 100% export-oriented unit or radiation processing facility
- You run a five-star or higher hotel
- You operate on central government premises such as railways, airports or seaports
- You have a registered head office that manages units in two or more states
Each unit in a multi-state chain still holds its own State Licence or Registration, while the head office holds the Central Licence. Explore the Central Licence service.
Decision table by business type
| Business profile | Most likely category |
|---|---|
| Home baker or tiffin service under ₹1.5 crore | Basic Registration |
| Single restaurant or cloud kitchen under ₹1.5 crore | Basic Registration |
| Restaurant chain outlet with ₹3 crore turnover | State Licence |
| Spice manufacturer with ₹20 crore turnover in one state | State Licence |
| Food importer of any size | Central Licence |
| Nutraceutical or health supplement brand | Central Licence |
| D2C snack brand selling on its own site under ₹1.5 crore | Basic Registration |
| Ecommerce marketplace that takes food orders | Central Licence |
Always confirm the result on FoSCoS because individual KoBs can carry extra conditions.
How to decide in five steps
- List every activity: manufacturing, repacking, catering, retail, storage, import or online selling.
- Open the FoSCoS eligibility tool and choose the Kind of Business for each activity.
- Enter your expected annual turnover for the full year, not just the current month.
- Check the Central-only list above. If any item applies, plan for a Central Licence.
- Note the fee shown, then prepare documents for that category using our documents checklist.
What happens if your turnover changes
If your turnover crosses ₹1.5 crore, you need to move from Registration to a State Licence. Crossing ₹50 crore moves you to Central. Apply for the higher category before you cross the limit, because trading on a lower category is treated as trading without the right licence. If the 2026 thresholds move you down a category, FSSAI says migration happens through FoSCoS with no modification fee, and the fee you already paid is adjusted.
Common mistakes
- Using pre-2026 thresholds of ₹12 lakh or ₹20 crore
- Ignoring that import or ecommerce triggers Central regardless of turnover
- Applying for one licence when you run units in several states
- Selecting a KoB that does not match the actual activity on site
- Underestimating turnover to stay in a lower category
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between FSSAI State and Central licence?
A State Licence is issued by the state food safety department for businesses with turnover from ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore. A Central Licence is issued by FSSAI for turnover above ₹50 crore and for Central-only activities like import.
Can a small business get a Central Licence?
Yes, if its activity requires one. A small food importer or an ecommerce platform that facilitates food orders needs a Central Licence even with turnover well below ₹50 crore.
Is Basic Registration enough for a restaurant?
Yes, if the restaurant's annual turnover is up to ₹1.5 crore. Above that, the restaurant needs a State Licence, and a five-star hotel restaurant needs a Central Licence.
Do I need separate licences for multiple outlets?
Usually yes. Each premises needs its own registration or licence based on its turnover. A company operating in two or more states also needs a Central Licence for its registered head office.
Which licence do I need for import?
Food importers need a Central Licence regardless of turnover. Customs clearance of food consignments depends on a valid FSSAI import licence and compliant labelling.
What fee do I pay for each category?
The government fee is ₹100 a year for Basic Registration, ₹5,000 a year for most State Licences, and ₹7,500 a year for a Central Licence, as per the FoSCoS fee schedule.