FSSAI Basic Registration vs State Licence vs Central Licence: New 2026 Turnover Limits
FSSAI from 1 April 2026: basic registration up to ₹1.5 crore turnover, state licence up to ₹50 crore, central licence above ₹50 crore, perpetual validity.
Short answer
From 1 April 2026, FSSAI basic registration covers food businesses with 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. Licences and registrations issued from that date are perpetual, so periodic renewal is replaced by continued payment of the annual fee.
- Basic registration
- Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore (earlier ₹12 lakh)
- State licence
- Above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore (earlier ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore)
- Central licence
- Above ₹50 crore (earlier ₹20 crore)
- Effective date
- 1 April 2026
- Validity
- Perpetual, unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered
- Amendment notified
- 10 March 2026
What changed in 2026?
The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations 2026, notified on 10 March 2026, sharply raised the turnover thresholds for each category. FSSAI's orders of 13 and 27 March 2026 directed authorities to apply the new limits from 1 April 2026. Basic registration now covers businesses up to ₹1.5 crore instead of ₹12 lakh, and central licensing starts above ₹50 crore instead of ₹20 crore.
Licences and registrations issued on or after 1 April 2026 are perpetual. They remain valid until suspended, cancelled or surrendered, but the annual fee must still be paid. Existing operators are migrated automatically on the FoSCoS portal without changing their licence number, and no fee applies for migration caused by the threshold revision.
Side-by-side comparison
The table shows the three categories under the revised regulations. Turnover is the annual turnover of the food business, and some categories of business are assigned to a particular licence irrespective of turnover.
| Factor | Basic registration | State licence | Central licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover (from 1 April 2026) | Up to ₹1.5 crore | Above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore | Above ₹50 crore |
| Earlier turnover band | Up to ₹12 lakh | ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore | Above ₹20 crore |
| Issuing authority | Registering authority (district or local) | State food safety department | FSSAI central licensing authority |
| Typical businesses | Small manufacturers, retailers, home kitchens, cloud kitchens, petty vendors | Mid-sized manufacturers, restaurants, distributors | Large manufacturers, multi-state operations, specified categories |
| Inspection before grant | Generally not required | May be required | May be required |
| Validity | Perpetual from 1 April 2026 | Perpetual from 1 April 2026 | Perpetual from 1 April 2026 |
| Annual fee | Payable yearly or in advance | Payable yearly or in advance | Payable yearly or in advance |
| Annual return | Not generally | Applicable to specified categories | Applicable to specified categories |
How do you work out which one you need?
Start with turnover, then check category rules. Some activities, such as import of food, have traditionally required a central licence regardless of turnover, and businesses operating in more than one state may need a central licence for a head office in addition to state licences or registrations for each unit. High-risk categories such as dairy, meat processing, packaged drinking water and infant food remain subject to annual fee payment and returns, and non-compliance can lead to suspension.
Fees differ by category and, for licences, by the type of activity and capacity. Check the current fee schedule on FoSCoS before applying, because amounts are set by FSSAI and may change.
What should existing licence holders do?
If your turnover now falls into a lower category, you will be migrated automatically. A state licence holder moving to registration gets the state licence fee already paid adjusted against the annual registration fee. Keep paying the annual fee on time, because the perpetual validity depends on it, and continue to meet hygiene, labelling and testing obligations, which are unaffected by the change.
Which should you choose?
The category is decided by the regulations, not by preference, but these rules help you identify where your business sits and what to check on the FoSCoS portal before applying.
- Home baker, cloud kitchen or small retailer with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore: basic registration.
- Restaurant chain or manufacturer with turnover between ₹1.5 crore and ₹50 crore in one state: state licence.
- Manufacturer above ₹50 crore turnover: central licence.
- Food importer or multi-state operator: check the central licence requirement irrespective of turnover.
- Turnover close to a threshold: apply for the category your projected turnover will reach.
Related services
Sources
- FSSAI order dated 27 March 2026 on revised licensing thresholds and perpetual validity
- FSSAI raises turnover limits for registration and licensing (Chambers)
Written by the Refogo Editorial Team from the official sources above and checked on 2026-10-31. Laws, rates and due dates change, and authorities often extend deadlines, so confirm your own case with a qualified professional. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Read our editorial policy or report an error to support@refogo.com.
Common questions
What is the FSSAI basic registration limit in 2026?
From 1 April 2026, basic registration applies to food businesses with annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, up from ₹12 lakh earlier.
Do FSSAI licences still need renewal?
Licences and registrations issued from 1 April 2026 are perpetual and do not need periodic renewal, but the annual fee must be paid to keep them valid.
Will my existing state licence change to registration automatically?
Yes. FSSAI is migrating existing operators in the backend based on self-declaration, without changing the licence number. Fees already paid are adjusted.
Is a central licence needed for importers?
Food importers have generally required a central licence irrespective of turnover. Confirm the current category rules on FoSCoS before applying.