Summary: The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Instant License and Registration explain FSSAI’s scheme for instant grant of License/Registration to selected low-risk food businesses through digital verification. The scheme covers specified businesses including wholesalers, distributors, retailers, transporters, certain storage facilities, importers, food vending agencies, direct sellers, merchant-exporters, petty retailers of snacks/tea shops and hawkers, provided they are not involved in food categories such as Milk, Meat and Fish. The FAQs specify the appropriate food product category for petty retailers of snacks/tea shops and hawkers and state that FPC 16 (Prepared Foods) is required where the business deals only in freshly cooked/prepared food. Applications for instant License/Registration are made through FoSCoS. Applicants must pay the entire applicable fee when filing the application. The initial phase from 28 June 2024 permitted only proprietor or single-owner food businesses to apply for instant License. The instant process differs from the regular process because it relies on digital verification of information such as PAN, GST, AADHAAR and CIN. The FAQs also prescribe verification requirements and mandatory photographs of the premises. Certain applicants are expressly excluded, including those already holding a valid License/Registration at the same premises, those whose License/Registration has been suspended, those whose License/Registration was cancelled within the preceding three months, and businesses outside the listed categories. False declarations may attract penalty under Section 61 of the FSS Act, 2006. The FAQs further confirm that perpetual validity and revised turnover thresholds apply to Tatkal Licenses/Registrations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Instant License and Registration
Q.1 Which Kind of business can get benefit of Instant issuance scheme for FSSAI License/Registration in food businesses?
Ans: The scheme aims to enable instant grant of License/Registration for selected low-risk categories of food businesses through digital verification which means, when you apply for license or registration for Wholesaler, Distributor, Retailer, Transporter, Storage without Atmospheric Controlled + Cold, Importer, Food Vending Agencies, Direct Sellers, Merchant-Exporter, Petty Retailer of snacks/tea shops, & Hawker (Itinerant / Mobile food vendor) and who are not involved in food categories like Milk, Meat and Fish.
Q.2 What is the appropriate Food Product Category for Petty Retailer of snacks/tea shops, & Hawker?
Ans: FPC 16 (Prepared Foods) is required to be selected in case the food business is dealing in only freshly cooked/prepared food. Further, in case the food business is involved in retailing/sale of packed food of other categories, he/she is required to select appropriate food categories.
Q.3 Can Food Businesses involved in Retail, Wholesale, Distribution, Storage, Direct Selling, & Food Vending Agency can obtain instant license/registration for Meat & Fish Products?
Ans: Food Businesses dealing with Meat & Meat Products & Fish & Fish Products for categories like Retailer, Wholesaler, Distributor, Storage, Direct Seller, & Food Vending Agency are not allowed under instant license/registration.
Further, in case of transporter, dealing with Dairy, Meat & Fish Products is not allowed under instant License/Registration.
Q.4 How can food businesses operators apply for Instant process for license and registration?
Ans: The instant license/registration can be applied through Food Safety Compliance System [FoSCoS – [https://foscos.fssai.gov.in](https://foscos.fssai.gov.in)] which can also be accessed through Mobile phones.
Food Businesses can seek help through FSSAI Helpline 1800112100 or [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
Q.5 What are the payment requirements for instant license/registration?
Ans: Applicants are required to pay the entire fee for the instant license/registration at the time of filing the application. The fee structure for the license/registration is same as per the existing provision. In case of Registration – Rs. 100, State License – Rs. 5000, Central License – Rs. 7500 plus GST as applicable.
Q.6 Which type of Food businesses can apply for instant license?
Ans: For Initial phase 28th June 2024 onwards: Only proprietor [single owner] type of food businesses is allowed for Instant issuance of license.
Q.7 How does the Instant issuance process differ from the regular application process?
Ans: Unlike the regular process which involves scrutiny and verification by food authorities, Instant issuance leverages digital verification of information like PAN, GST, AADHAAR, CIN, etc.
Q.8 What are the requirements for applying for Instant License/Registration?
Ans: The requirements for obtaining instant license /registration are as below:
Document Submission for Digital Verification
Proprietorship firms in case of License:
- Verification through GST and AADHAAR
Document Submission for Digital Verification in case of Registration:
- Verification through PAN and AADHAAR for Petty FBOs under Wholesaler, Distributor, Retailer, Transporter, Storage without Atmospheric Controlled + Cold, Food Vending Agencies, & Direct Seller & verification through AADHAAR for Petty Retailer of snacks/tea shops & Hawker.
- Applicants are required to mandatorily upload entrance/front facing photographs of the premise. These photographs must clearly show the address of the premise and include an image of the Food Business Operator (FBO) in front of the premise.
Q.9 Who shall ‘not’ apply for License/Registration under instant provision?
Ans: The applicants –
- Who already possess valid license /registration on the same premise
- Whose license / registration has been suspended by the authorities
- Whose license /registration cancelled by the authorities in past three months.
- Who is not falling under the listed Kind of Businesses for Instant Issuance of License. Food Businesses who have obtained the license /registration under wrong Kind of Businesses or not as per eligibility criteria may be penalised under Section 61 of FSS Act, 2006, wherein any false declaration shall attract penalty up to Rs. 10 lakhs.
Q10. Is perpetual validity and revised turnover threshold applicable to Tatkal Licenses / Registrations as well?
Ans: Yes.
[Please refer ‘FAQs on Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026 issued on 27.03.2026 and available on FSSAI website for more details on perpetual validity and revised turn over threshold. Link: [https://fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2026/03/69c6a23234827order_27032026.pdf](https://fssai.gov.in/upload/advisories/2026/03/69c6a23234827order_27032026.pdf) ]
