If you run any food business in India, one question shows up early and keeps coming back when you scale. Should you take Basic registration, State license, or Central license under FSSAI?
Most people don’t get stuck because the form is hard. They get stuck because they choose the wrong category. A small cloud kitchen chooses Central when it should be State. A brand selling in multiple states keeps Basic and later faces issues during onboarding with marketplaces or distributors. A manufacturer underestimates capacity rules and then has to modify the license again.
This guide keeps it simple and practical. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to choose, how fees usually look, and what to keep ready on FoSCoS.
If you want BizSetups to handle the full filing and follow-ups, we do FSSAI registrations for businesses across India.
📍 For faster coordination, you can also connect with our BizSetups teams in Noida and Gurugram.
The simplest difference between Basic State and Central
Think of FSSAI categories like business size and reach.
Basic Registration is for very small food businesses.
State License is for mid-sized businesses operating within one state.
Central License is for large businesses, importers, exporters, and businesses with bigger turnover or multi-state operations.
FSSAI’s own “Kind of Business eligibility” document on FoSCoS uses turnover and activity-based criteria, and you’ll see the same three levels repeated across many business types.
The quick eligibility rule that works for most businesses
For many common food business types, the turnover-based thresholds are broadly used like this:
Basic registration is typically used up to ₹12 lakh turnover.
State license is commonly used above that and up to ₹20 crore for many categories.
Central license is commonly used above ₹20 crore, and also for specific activities like import/export and multi-state operations.
Important note: FSSAI eligibility is not only turnover. Some activities push you into Central even if turnover is lower, especially where the business nature is regulated at Central level. FoSCoS eligibility tables list category-wise rules.
A simple decision method you can use in 3 minutes
Start with one sentence: what do you do and where do you do it?
If you are a home-based or very small seller within a city, Basic often fits.
If you operate within one state at a moderate scale, State often fits.
If you operate across states, or you are into import/export, or your scale is large, Central becomes relevant.
Now verify your exact activity against FoSCoS “Kind of Business” eligibility because food businesses are not all treated the same. A restaurant, a manufacturer, a wholesaler, a transporter, and an e-commerce operator can have different triggers.
Basic FSSAI registration who it is best for
Basic registration is typically meant for “petty” or very small food business operators.
You’ll usually see it used for small retailers, small home bakers, small snack sellers, small tiffin services, or tiny units that are just starting and staying within a limited local area.
FoSCoS eligibility tables frequently show Basic registration around the ₹12 lakh turnover band for many typical activities.
Fees for Basic registration are also typically the lowest, and FoSCoS eligibility tables often show Basic registration fee as ₹100 per year in many categories.
State FSSAI license who it is best for
State license is the most common category for growing businesses. It generally covers businesses that are bigger than “petty” but still operate within one state and are not in special Central categories.
Typical examples include a cloud kitchen that is scaling within one state, a mid-sized restaurant group in a single state, a mid-level manufacturer, a distributor, or a storage unit operating within a state.
Many commonly referenced guides place State license in the ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore turnover band for typical businesses, and FoSCoS eligibility tables show State license fee commonly around ₹2,000 per year for many categories.
Central FSSAI license who it is best for
Central license is generally for large businesses and special categories.
If your operations are across multiple states, Central becomes relevant. If you import food products, export food products, or run certain large manufacturing capacities, Central commonly becomes necessary even if your turnover logic feels unclear.
FoSCoS eligibility tables show Central license fee commonly around ₹7,500 per year for many categories.
If you’re planning to supply large institutional buyers, do national distribution, or plan rapid scaling across states, Central is often the smoother route because it aligns with the operating model.
A clean comparison table you can screenshot
| Type | Best fit for | Common turnover band for many categories | Common govt fee shown in FoSCoS tables (Price may be vary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Very small local FBOs | Up to ₹12 lakh | ₹100 |
| State License | Mid-sized within one state | ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore | ₹2,000 (often) |
| Central License | Large, multi-state, import export | Above ₹20 crore or special category | ₹7,500 (often) |
These figures are shown across many “kind of business” rows in FoSCoS eligibility PDFs and fee pages.
What documents you should keep ready before applying
Document lists can vary by business type and category. But FoSCoS provides an official documents section and state-wise document requirements, which is the best reference point for “what is currently needed on the portal.”
In practice, most applications go smoother when you have your identity proof, business proof, address proof, and a clear description of your food activity ready, plus any category-specific attachments the portal asks for.
If you want, BizSetups can do a pre-check so you don’t submit and then get stuck on “clarification required.”
How long is an FSSAI license valid
FoSCoS allows selecting validity for multiple years in many cases and fees are usually charged per year depending on license type and kind of business. FoSCoS fee pages reflect the fee structure and show that fees differ by activity and license type.
A practical approach many businesses use is choosing 2 to 5 years if they’re confident about continuity, so they reduce renewal pressure.
Common mistakes that cause rejection or rework
One mistake is choosing Basic when your turnover or business model already needs State or Central. That creates rework and sometimes business onboarding issues.
Another mistake is selecting the wrong “kind of business” on FoSCoS. The eligibility PDF is detailed for a reason. It maps each activity to the right licensing level and fee.
A third mistake is ignoring multi-location reality. If you have multiple outlets, central kitchen plus outlets, or you plan multi-state operations, your structure should match your license choice.
Get the right FSSAI category in one call
If you want to avoid delays, wrong category selection, and repeated modifications, BizSetups can help you choose the right type and file it end-to-end.
We serve clients across India, and you can coordinate quickly with our teams in Noida and Gurugram.
Share these three details and we’ll tell you the correct category fast: business type, number of locations, and estimated annual turnover.
FAQ | FSSAI
1 What is the difference between Basic State and Central FSSAI
Basic is for very small FBOs, State is for mid-sized within a state, and Central is for large, multi-state, or special categories like import export as per eligibility criteria.
2 What is the turnover limit for Basic FSSAI registration
FoSCoS eligibility tables commonly show Basic registration up to ₹12 lakh turnover for many categories.
3 When do I need a Central FSSAI license
Central is commonly needed for higher turnover above ₹20 crore in many categories and for multi-state operations or specific regulated activities like import export.
4 What is the government fee for FSSAI Basic State and Central
FoSCoS eligibility tables commonly show ₹100 for Basic registration, around ₹2,000 for State license, and around ₹7,500 for Central license in many categories, but fees vary by kind of business.
5 Where do I apply for FSSAI license online
Applications and document requirements are handled through the FoSCoS portal and its documents section.
6 Can document requirements change by state and business type
Yes, FoSCoS provides state-wise documents and category-based requirements, so always check the portal list for your exact business activity.
