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UPSC Notes

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

PYQs

9

Articles

1

Momentum

23

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

FSSAI is a crucial regulatory body impacting public health, consumer rights, and the food industry. UPSC frequently asks about the structure, functions, and challenges of such statutory bodies in governance.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Establishment

Established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Mandate

Sets standards for food articles, regulates manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food.

Objective

To ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

Functions

Grants licenses, conducts surveillance, monitors compliance, and promotes food safety awareness.

Administrative Ministry

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaPublic Health
Conceptual areaConsumer Protection

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Health & Family WelfareAdministrative ministry
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Institutional roles and functions

Quick revision

  • Statutory body under FSS Act, 2006.
  • Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
  • Sets food standards & regulates food businesses.
  • Ensures safe & wholesome food for consumers.
  • Combats food adulteration & misleading claims.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — FSSAI is a statutory body, not a constitutional one.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

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2022Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the "Tea Board" in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Tea Board is a statutory body. 2. It is a regulatory body attached to t...

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Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the "Tea Board" in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Tea Board is a statutory body. 2. It is a regulatory body attached to t...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2...

EconomyOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2...

EconomyOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2017Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedul...

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Public HealthConsumer Protection
Prelims 2014· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedul...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the "Tea Board" in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Tea Board is a statutory body. 2. It is a regulatory body attached to t...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the "Tea Board" in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Tea Board is a statutory body. 2. It is a regulatory body attached to t...

Open question

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details: | Sl. No. | Organisation | Function | Controlling Union M...

Open question

Why has FSSAI issued prohibition-of-sale orders against liquor makers? | Explained

05 Aug 2026 · FSSAI is India's apex food regulator, established under the FSS Act 2006, to ensure food safety and public health through standards, licensing, and enforcement.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Often confused with

Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Open notesOften confused with

Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 9 linked questions on Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

2018·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to the "Tea Board" in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Tea Board is a statutory body. 2. It is a regulatory body attached to t...

2022·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details: | Sl. No. | Organisation | Function | Controlling Union M...

2026·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedul...

2017·Indian Polity
Solve

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises...

2024·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2...

2019·Economy
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of Ind...

2022·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Indian Patents Act, a biological process to create a seed can be patented in India. 2. In India, the...

2019·Science & Technology
Solve

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