Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body established under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. As the apex body responsible for ensuring food safety and compliance with food standards across the country, FSSAI plays a critical role in regulating India's vast food industry, from imports and licensing to laboratory testing and quality assurance. Through its Internship Scheme 2024, FSSAI offers students unique, hands-on exposure to various aspects of food regulation and food safety administration.
Why You Should Apply
This internship offers students from a wide range of academic backgrounds — food technology, chemistry, biotechnology, business administration, journalism, computer science, law, and commerce — a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience at a premier statutory food regulatory body. With placements available at FSSAI Headquarters, Regional Offices, and National Food Laboratories across multiple cities, interns get exposure to diverse domains such as Human Resource, IT, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance, Food Imports Clearance, and Food Sampling and Testing. The internship also offers a stipend for deserving interns and a certificate upon successful completion, adding real value to a student's academic and professional profile.
About the Post
Interns will be attached to one of several Divisions at FSSAI Headquarters, Regional Offices, or National Food Laboratories, depending on their academic and technical training, and will be assigned project(s) related to different aspects of Food and Nutrition Management Processes. The specific area/domain of internship (as opted by the candidate in their application) will be treated as indicative of preference, not a confirmed allocation. Depending on the placement location, interns may work in areas ranging from Human Resource and IT to Food Imports Clearance and Licensing, or Food Sampling and Testing.
Recruitment Overview
FSSAI has issued a Circular (File No. HR-33012/3/2026-HR-FSSAI, dated 21.09.2026) inviting applications for its Internship Scheme 2024, for the internship batch starting in the Quarter of October-December 2026. Internships are offered on a quarterly basis throughout the year, for a minimum duration of 2 months, extendable up to a maximum of 6 months. Interested and eligible students can apply online in the specified format, with the application window open from 22.09.2026 to 01.10.2026.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Circular/Notification Date | 21.09.2026 |
| Starting Date of Receiving Application | 22.09.2026 |
| Last Date for Submitting Online Application | 01.10.2026 |
| Announcement of Shortlisted Candidates | Will be communicated |
| Date of Joining | Will be communicated |
| Internship Period (this batch) | October–December 2026 |
Vacancy Details
Specific numerical intake figures (number of interns to be selected) are not mentioned in the circular. Internship placements are available across the following locations and domains:
| Region | Topics/Subjects for Internship |
|---|---|
| FSSAI (HQ), New Delhi | Human Resource, Information Technology, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Compliance, Science and Standards, Imports/Trade and International Cooperation, Legal, Policy Coordination Unit, Social and Behavioural Change, Training (HQ & NTCFSS Ghaziabad), Central Procurement Unit and General Administration and Regulation |
| Regional Offices — WRO Mumbai, NRO Ghaziabad, SRO Chennai | Food Imports Clearance and Licensing |
| National Food Laboratories — NFL Ghaziabad, NFL Kolkata, NFL Kolkata Extension Centre (Raxaul), NFL Chennai, NFL Mumbai | Food Sampling and Testing |
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit: Not mentioned in the circular.
Educational Qualification: Students must be pursuing (full-time) a Graduate/Post Graduate Degree/higher degree from a Recognized Institute within India or abroad, in any of the following streams:
(a) Post Graduate Degree/B.Tech/BE in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Technology, Food Science & Technology, Food & Nutrition, Edible Oil Technology, Microbiology, Dairy Technology, Agricultural or Horticultural Sciences, Industrial Microbiology, Toxicology, Public Health, Life Science, Biotechnology, Fruit & Vegetable Technology, or Food Safety & Quality Assurance.
(b) Business Administration & Management including policy regulation, Finance, Taxation Law, Marketing, Psychology, Human Resource, Economics, Statistics, Information and Communication Technology, Entrepreneurship, and related fields.
(c) PG Diploma/Degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, and Public Relations.
(d) B.E./B.Tech (only 3rd and 4th Year students, NOT 2nd or 1st Year) in Computer Science/Information Technology/Software Engineering or related stream.
(e) Post Graduate Degree/Diploma in Public Policy/Public Administration — Only for FSSAI (HQ).
(f) Bachelor/Master of Law.
(g) Bachelor of Commerce & Equivalent courses.
Experience: Not applicable — this is a student internship program requiring current enrollment in a qualifying course.
Nationality: Not explicitly restricted; students pursuing courses from recognized institutes within India or abroad are eligible.
Important Notes:
- Students who have already completed the above-mentioned courses need NOT apply.
- Multiple applications will not be entertained.
- Candidates must ensure that the internship location they opt for has the subject/topic available at that location — for example, only technically qualified candidates will be eligible for placement at an FSSAI lab.
Physical Standards
Not applicable for this internship.
Salary/Pay Scale
A stipend of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) for the WHOLE internship period will be given to deserving interns, on the recommendation of the Office/Division they are attached with. The criteria for determining "deserving" interns include: (a) attendance, (b) assessment by their respective reporting officers, and (c) evaluation of their reports by Divisional Heads at FSSAI (HQ) and Director at ROs/NFLs. Note: FSSAI does not cover local lodging, travel facilities, or boarding expenses for interns.
Selection Process
- Interested and eligible students apply online in the specified format within the given timeline.
- Candidates applying may be required to submit a short write-up/presentation in the application portal for final selection.
- All applications are scrutinized by the concerned Nodal Officers nominated for the internship program.
- The final list of selected candidates, along with their date of joining and internship tenure, is declared online on the FSSAI website.
- Applicants who had applied for internship in a particular quarter but were not selected need to apply again for the next quarter — there is no automatic carry-forward.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Not applicable — there is no written examination; selection is based on the online application and a short write-up/presentation submitted through the application portal.
Application Fee
Not mentioned in the circular.
How to Apply
- Visit the official FSSAI website at https://fssai.gov.in/internship@fssai.php.
- Ensure your area of interest/preference aligns with a location where that subject/topic is actually available (e.g., only technically qualified candidates should opt for an FSSAI lab).
- Apply online in the specified format within the application window (22.09.2026 to 01.10.2026).
- Fill in your personal, academic, and course details accurately, along with your preferred internship location/domain.
- Submit only ONE application — multiple applications will not be entertained.
- You may be required to submit a short write-up/presentation as part of the application for final selection.
- Wait for your application to be scrutinized by the concerned Nodal Officer.
- Check the FSSAI website regularly for the announcement of shortlisted candidates and your date of joining.
- If selected, prepare a letter from your Institute confirming your student status, along with a "No Objection Certificate" allowing you to undergo the internship for the selected period.
- Prepare a character certificate from your Institute's authority, along with proof of educational qualifications as mentioned in your application form, to be submitted at the time of joining.
- Note that any request to extend your joining time by more than a week will NOT be accepted, since the scheme runs on a strict quarterly schedule.
- Ensure you have your own laptop ready, as FSSAI will provide working space, internet facility, and other necessities, but not a laptop.
Documents Required
Letter from the Institute confirming student status, "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from the Institute for undergoing the internship, character certificate from the Institute's authority, and proof of educational qualifications as mentioned in the application form — all to be submitted at the time of joining.
Important Instructions
- Students who have already completed the qualifying courses mentioned in the eligibility criteria need not apply.
- Multiple applications from the same candidate will not be entertained.
- Candidates must ensure the internship location they opt for has the relevant subject/topic available — e.g., only technically qualified candidates are eligible for FSSAI lab placements.
- For any query related to the Internship Programme, students may contact FSSAI only via email at internship-fssai@fssai.gov.in.
- Internship is offered for a minimum of 2 months, extendable up to a maximum of 6 months — no internship of duration less than 2 months will be offered.
- Interns must have their own laptops; FSSAI will provide working space, internet, and other necessities, but will NOT cover local lodging, travel, or boarding expenses.
- Since the internship scheme runs on a strict quarterly schedule, requests for extension of joining time by more than a week will not be accepted.
- All interns will be awarded a certificate upon successful completion of the internship, based on submission and review of their final report/presentation by their respective Divisional Heads at FSSAI (HQ) and Director at ROs/NFLs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the FSSAI Internship Scheme 2024 about? A1. It is FSSAI's ongoing internship program offering students hands-on learning opportunities in various areas of food regulation and food safety administration, with this circular covering the October-December 2026 quarterly batch.
Q2. Who is eligible to apply for the FSSAI Internship? A2. Students currently pursuing a full-time Graduate/Post Graduate degree or higher, in fields such as Food Technology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Business Administration, Journalism, Computer Science (3rd/4th year only), Law, or Commerce, from a recognized institute in India or abroad.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for the Oct-Dec 2026 FSSAI Internship batch? A3. The last date for submitting the online application is 01.10.2026; the application window opened on 22.09.2026.
Q4. What is the stipend offered under this internship? A4. A stipend of Rs. 10,000/- for the entire internship period is given to deserving interns, based on attendance, reporting officer assessment, and evaluation of their final reports.
Q5. What is the duration of the FSSAI internship? A5. The internship is offered for a minimum of 2 months, extendable up to a maximum of 6 months; no internship shorter than 2 months is offered.
Q6. Where can students intern under this scheme? A6. Placements are available at FSSAI Headquarters (New Delhi), Regional Offices (Mumbai, Ghaziabad, Chennai), and National Food Laboratories (Ghaziabad, Kolkata, Raxaul, Chennai, Mumbai).
Q7. Will interns receive a certificate? A7. Yes, all interns will be awarded a certificate on successful completion of the internship, based on submission and review of their final report/presentation.
Important Links
- Official Website: https://fssai.gov.in
- Apply Online: https://fssai.gov.in/internship@fssai.php
- Download Notification PDF: Available via the official FSSAI website
- Official Notification: File No. HR-33012/3/2026-HR-FSSAI, dated 21.09.2026
Conclusion
The FSSAI Internship Scheme 2024 (October-December 2026 batch) offers students across a wide range of disciplines a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience at India's apex food safety regulatory body, with placements available at FSSAI HQ, Regional Offices, and National Food Laboratories. Eligible and interested students should complete their online application well before the deadline of 01.10.2026. For more such internship and government opportunity updates, keep visiting certifica.in.