HPSC Food Safety Officer Recruitment 2026: Online Application Re-opened 22 to 28 October — Latest Update
Good news if you missed the first window! HPSC has re-opened the online portal for Food Safety Officer (Group-B) under Advertisement No. 25/2026. You can now apply from 22 October 2026 to 28 October 2026, up to 5:00 PM. This replaces the earlier closing date of 19 October 2026. Apply early, and do not leave it for the last evening. If you already applied, read the table on who needs to do what before you relax.
What Has Changed in HPSC Food Safety Officer Recruitment 2026?
Detail
Update
Portal re-opened
22 October 2026 to 28 October 2026, up to 5:00 PM
Earlier last date
19 October 2026 — no longer applies
Eligibility cut-off
Age, qualification and other conditions are counted as on 28 October 2026
Already applied
No need to apply again, except in the cases listed in the next table
Other terms
All other terms of Advertisement No. 25/2026 stay unchanged
Screening Test
6 December 2026 (held in case of a large number of applicants)
Who Needs to Do What After the Re-opening?
Your situation
What the Commission says
You applied and uploaded the signed form
You need not apply afresh
You applied but could not upload the signed form
Upload your duly signed and self-attested form through the online mode
You want to correct details in your submitted form
No change is allowed once the URN is generated. Cancel the previous application first, then apply afresh. The fee paid earlier is neither adjusted nor refunded under any circumstances
You applied earlier and became overage after 19 September 2026
You are still considered eligible
You are a new applicant
Read the instructions in Advertisement No. 25/2026 first, because incomplete or defective applications are liable to rejection
What Is the Selection Process and Exam Pattern for HPSC Food Safety Officer 2026?
On 16 October 2026 HPSC announced the scheme, pattern and syllabus. The selection has three stages, and you must be present in all of them.
Stage
Detail
Screening Test
6 December 2026, held in case of a large number of applicants. 100 MCQs, 100 marks, 2 hours, paper in English
Subject Knowledge Test
31 January 2027. 150 marks, 3 hours, subjective type, medium English. Weightage 87.5%
Interview
Weightage 12.5%
Final merit list
Marks of the Subject Knowledge Test and the interview are added
Rule
Detail
Marking
All questions carry equal marks. Each question has five options, and the fifth is for leaving it un-attempted
Negative marking
One-fourth mark is deducted for each wrong answer
Un-attempted questions
One-fourth mark is also deducted if you neither attempt a question nor darken the fifth option
Disqualification
A candidate who darkens none of the five circles in more than 10% of the questions is disqualified
Screening cut-off
Minimum 25% marks to clear the Screening Test
Who moves ahead
Candidates four times the advertised posts, along with bracketed candidates if any, provided they secure the 25% cut-off
Screening marks
Not counted in final selection, because the test is only for shortlisting
Interview call
Minimum 35% marks in the Subject Knowledge Test. Candidates two times the advertised posts, along with bracketed candidates if any, are called
Attendance
Presence in every stage is mandatory. A candidate absent in any of the three stages will not be considered
What Is the Syllabus for HPSC Food Safety Officer 2026?
The Screening Test syllabus is general. The Subject Knowledge Test syllabus has 12 units, so start with the units closest to your degree and then cover the rest.
Screening Test Section
Topics
General Awareness
General Science; current events of national and international importance; History of India; Indian and World Geography; Indian Culture, Polity and Economy
Reasoning
General Mental Ability (reasoning and analytical abilities)
Numeracy and Data
Basic numeracy and data interpretation, both at Class X level
Haryana GK
History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Culture etc.
Subject Knowledge Test Unit
Main Topics
I. Food Chemistry and Constituents
Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, water, vitamins, minerals; food enzymes; pH and water activity; natural toxicants and chemical changes in cooking and storage
II. Human Nutrition and Public Health
Digestion and metabolism; balanced diet and RDA; BMI, BMR and nutritional status; malnutrition and fortification; nutrition and food-security programmes
III. Food Microbiology
Food-relevant microorganisms; foodborne pathogens and toxins; spoilage; beneficial microbes in fermentation; culture and enumeration methods
IV. Primary Production and Food Supply
Farming systems of India and Haryana; dairy, meat, poultry, fishery and apiculture; good agricultural practices; post-harvest handling; ICAR, KVKs and NABARD
V. Food Commodities and Product Technology
Milk, meat, poultry, fish and eggs; cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, fruits, vegetables, spices and beverages; identity, quality and common adulterants
VI. Preservation, Processing, Packaging and Storage
Pasteurization, sterilization, canning, dehydration, freezing, irradiation; high-pressure and other novel methods; hurdle technology and additives; packaging and cold chain
VII. Food Hazards, Hygiene and Safety Management
Biological, chemical, physical and allergen hazards; hygiene and sanitation; FSSAI Schedule 4, GMP, GHP, HACCP; ISO 22000:2018; traceability and recall
VIII. Food Sampling, Analysis and Laboratory Quality
Sampling plans and chain of custody; chemical, spectroscopic, chromatographic and microbiological methods; method validation; FSSAI RAFT kits; ISO/IEC 17025
IX. Indian Food Law and Regulatory Compliance
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules, 2011; FSS regulations; licensing, labelling, claims; Food Safety Officer inspection, sampling and seizure; roles of Designated Officer and Food Analyst
X. FSSAI Systems, Institutions and Initiatives
Structure and functions of FSSAI and State Food Authorities; training; Eat Right India, food fortification, RUCO; BIS, AGMARK, APEDA, EIC, MPEDA, Spices Board, CFTRI, NIFTEM, ICAR, ICMR, DFRL
XI. International Food Control and Standards
Codex Alimentarius, JECFA, JEMRA, JMPR; WTO SPS and TBT agreements; standards, certification and accreditation bodies
XII. Food Biotechnology and Emerging Developments
Fermentation and enzyme production; genetic engineering and GM foods; molecular detection; emerging hazards and recent FSSAI regulations; binding rules versus drafts and advisories
The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) has released Advertisement No. 25/2026 for 45 posts of Food Safety Officer (Group-B) in the Food & Drugs Administration Department, Haryana. If you have studied food technology, agriculture, veterinary science, microbiology, chemistry or medicine, this is a rare opening that matches your degree, and its 150-mark Subject Knowledge Test carries 87.5% weightage. The post carries the pay scale ₹9,300 – ₹34,800 with ₹4,200 Grade Pay, placed at FPL-6 (Cell-1), ₹35,400. Anyone tracking government jobs in Haryana should keep this one at the top of the list.
One important update — the online portal opened on 28 September 2026 and has now been re-opened from 22 October 2026 to 28 October 2026, up to 05:00 PM (last date 19 October 2026). If you have not applied yet, you still have a few days, so keep your certificates ready and do not wait for the last evening. Below we have explained the vacancy break-up, the accepted degrees, the age limit with relaxation, the category-wise fee, the selection stages and the full application process. Read it carefully, and keep GovtJobsAlert.in open for every further update.
What are the Key Highlights of HPSC Food Safety Officer Recruitment 2026?
The Haryana Public Service Commission is the state body that recruits for Group-A and Group-B posts across Haryana government departments. This time it is hiring for the Food & Drugs Administration Department, the wing that checks the safety and quality of food sold in the state. A Food Safety Officer is a field officer with real authority — inspecting premises, lifting samples and enforcing standards under the food safety rules.
Detail
Information
Recruiting Body
Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC)
Advertisement Number
25/2026
Post Name
Food Safety Officer (Group-B)
Department
Food & Drugs Administration Department, Haryana
Total Vacancies
45
Pay Scale
₹9,300 – ₹34,800 + ₹4,200 Grade Pay
Pay Level
FPL-6 (Cell-1), ₹35,400
Job Location
Haryana
Application Start Date
28 September 2026 (portal re-opened on 22 October 2026)
Last Date to Apply
19 October 2026 (05:00 PM)28 October 2026 (05:00 PM) (Extended)
Application Mode
Online only
How Many Vacancies Are There in HPSC Food Safety Officer Recruitment 2026?
All 45 vacancies are for the single post of Food Safety Officer (Group-B). Here is how the seats are divided.
Category
Vacancies
Un-reserved
22
DSC
05
OSC
05
BC-A
05
BC-B
03
EWS
05
Total
45
Horizontal Reservation
Posts
ESM (General)
02
PwD
02 (01 Low Vision, 01 Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
Note on the Vacancies
Detail
Horizontal seats
ESM and PwD seats are taken from within the 45 posts above — they are not extra posts
Shortfall post
One SC post is a shortfall post of the SC category that has now been added to this requisition
Visually impaired seat
Only low vision candidates are eligible for the seat reserved horizontally for visually impaired candidates, as per the Government letter dated 17 July 2026
Count may change
The number of posts may increase or decrease as per Government requirements
What is the Eligibility for HPSC Food Safety Officer 2026?
Educational Qualification
A Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate from a recognised university, in one of the streams below, plus the language subject, makes you eligible. Whether you are a graduate looking for government jobs or you hold a medical or healthcare degree, find the row that matches your own degree.
Accepted Stream
Degrees and Disciplines Covered
Food Technology
Food Engineering; Food Engineering and Technology; Food Processing and Preservation; Food Processing Technology; Food Technology and Management; Food Biotechnology; Food Plant Operations Management; Food Process Engineering and Management; Food Processing; Food Safety and Quality Management; Process and Food Engineering
Veterinary Sciences, Bio-Chemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry or Medicine
Medical Degrees
MBBS, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery or Bachelor of Sowa Rigpa Medicine and Surgery
Any other equivalent
Any other equivalent recognised qualification notified by the Food Authority with the prior approval of the Central Government
Language requirement
Hindi or Sanskrit as one subject in Matric, or Hindi as one subject in Higher Education
Training
Specified by the Food Authority and given after appointment; you are notified as a Food Safety Officer only after completing it successfully
Equivalence
No claim of an equivalent qualification will be considered unless the relevant Service Rules specify it
Age Limit
You must be not less than 18 years and not more than 42 years as on the closing date, 19 October 202628 October 2026 (the new eligibility cut-off set in the re-opening announcement). A candidate who applied earlier and is becoming overage after 19 September 2026 is also considered eligible. Your Matriculation certificate, or an equivalent academic certificate, is the only document accepted as proof of date of birth.
Category
Age Relaxation
Scheduled Castes of Haryana (DSC and OSC)
5 years
Backward Classes of Haryana (BC-A and BC-B)
5 years
Persons with disabilities under the RPwD Act, 2016
5 years, plus 5 more if also SC, ST, BC or EWS (maximum 52 years)
Wife of military personnel disabled in service
5 years
Widowed or legally divorced women
5 years
Women judicially separated and living apart for over two years
5 years
Unmarried women
5 years
Ex-servicemen, including SSC and EC Officers
Length of military service plus 3 years
Ad hoc, contract, work-charged or daily wage service in a Haryana Government department, board or corporation
Equal to completed years on an equivalent post (maximum 52 years)
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including any age relaxation you qualify for. →
Relaxation Rule
What it means for you
Only where posts are reserved
For DSC, OSC, BC-A (NCL), BC-B (NCL) and ESM candidates of Haryana, relaxation applies only where posts are reserved for that category
Hard ceiling of 52 years
Except for ex-servicemen, the upper age can never cross 52 years, however many relaxations you add together
Ex-servicemen condition
At least six months of continuous military service, and not released by dismissal or discharge for misconduct or inefficiency
One-time ad hoc benefit
Ad hoc or contract service relaxation cannot be claimed again if you already used it once for a regular appointment
PwBD relaxation
Applies whether or not the post is reserved for PwBD, provided the post is identified as suitable for persons with disabilities
Important Conditions You Must Meet
Condition
What it means for you
Financial interest in food business
No person who has any financial interest in the manufacture, import or sale of any article of food can be appointed as a Food Safety Officer
Reservation is for Haryana only
Reservation benefit is given only to DSC, OSC, BC-A (NCL), BC-B (NCL), EWS and PwBD candidates who are residents or domiciles of Haryana
Reserved candidates of other states
They compete against General and Unreserved posts and are considered as General candidates
Creamy layer
BC-A and BC-B candidates of Haryana in the creamy layer cannot claim reservation; they apply as General and pay the full fee
Category cannot be changed
Your candidature is considered only in the category filled in the form; no change of category is allowed at any stage
Certificate from parental side
Women claiming a reserved category must give the caste certificate from the father’s side; a certificate from the husband’s side will not be entertained
Certificate validity
BC-A (NCL), BC-B (NCL) and EWS certificates must be issued on or before the closing date and be valid for the current financial year
Fake or unrecognised institutions
Degrees from a board or institution declared fake by the UGC, or not recognised by the Haryana Government, are not eligible and no representation will be entertained
False information
If any claim is found false at any stage, candidature is liable to be rejected and you may be debarred permanently or for a fixed period
Documents issued late
No certificate or document issued after the closing date is accepted at any stage, and marks improved after the closing date are not counted
Employer NOC
Government employees who have executed a bond must produce their Head of Department’s NOC on or before the interview date, failing which they will not be interviewed; Haryana Government employees who have not executed a bond may apply without an NOC, but must submit a self-declaration that they are not facing any disciplinary proceedings
Disclosure of cases
You must declare every pending FIR, criminal case, allegation of misconduct, disciplinary proceeding, investigation and civil case known to you; false or incomplete information makes your candidature liable to be cancelled without any claim to benefits from the Government
Uploaded documents only
Only the documents uploaded with the form are considered; if there is any variation between the uploaded document and the one produced at scrutiny, or if requisite documents are missing, candidature is liable to be cancelled
DFF sub-category
Children and grandchildren of Freedom Fighters of Haryana are considered in their own main category till the final stage, and the 2% benefit applies only if BC or ESM posts remain vacant then; it goes to one child only, income of the children is not taken into account, and it cannot be availed again if another child or grandchild has already used it
What is the Salary for HPSC Food Safety Officer 2026?
The advertisement states the pay clearly, so there is no guesswork about what you will earn on joining this Group-B post.
Component
Amount
Pay Scale
₹9,300 – ₹34,800
Grade Pay
₹4,200
Pay Level
FPL-6 (Cell-1)
Basic Pay on Entry
₹35,400
The advertisement fixes the entry basic pay at ₹35,400 per month under FPL-6 (Cell-1). It names no allowance, deduction or gross salary figure, so treat ₹35,400 as your confirmed starting basic and ignore any salary figure quoted elsewhere.
Beyond the money, this is an enforcement role in a department that touches every household in the state. It is a regular Group-B state post with the satisfaction of protecting public health where you live. Keep one thing in mind: you are formally notified as a Food Safety Officer only after you complete the training specified by the Food Authority once you have joined.
What is the Selection Process for HPSC Food Safety Officer 2026?
HPSC generally follows a three-stage process, but the Commission has deliberately kept the pattern flexible — so read the rules table below as carefully as the stages table above it.
Stage
What it involves
Screening Test
A shortlisting test the Commission may hold when the number of applications is large; if it is held on OMR sheets, the OMR rules below apply
Subject Knowledge Test
A written test on the subject of the post, for candidates who clear screening or are called directly
Interview
The final stage before the merit list is prepared
Rule
Detail
Pattern is not fixed
The Commission may hold a Screening Test and then the Subject Knowledge Test with Interview, or go straight to the Subject Knowledge Test with Interview; its decision on the pattern is final and binding (the 16 October 2026 announcement has since set the scheme)
Shortlisting modes
Marks in the minimum qualification, marks in different qualifications with weightage, desirable qualifications, higher qualifications, higher experience, experience counted before or after the essential qualification, or a Screening Test and Subject Knowledge Test
Experience that counts
Part-time experience is not considered, only experience acquired after the minimum essential qualification is counted, and no experience other than the one claimed in the online form is considered
OMR sheets
If the circles for Name, Roll Number and Booklet Series are not darkened correctly, the OMR sheet is rejected automatically as there is no manual checking
No re-checking
No claim for re-checking or manual checking of OMR sheets, and no request for re-checking or re-evaluation of Subject Knowledge Test answer sheets, will be entertained
Ex-servicemen
A separate merit list is prepared with relaxation in qualifying marks at each stage of the selection process
Document check
Eligibility against your uploaded documents is assessed after you qualify for the interview, but the Commission reserves the right to check it even before that if it thinks fit
The advertisement itself gave no syllabus or marking scheme, but HPSC has since announced the Screening Test and Subject Knowledge Test dates, the marking scheme and the syllabus. Trust that announcement, which is covered in the update section of this post, and not a pattern you see elsewhere. Do mention every extra qualification and every year of relevant experience in your form, because shortlisting may be done on exactly those. Follow our exam syllabus and pattern updates for any further HPSC announcement.
How to Apply Online for HPSC Food Safety Officer Recruitment 2026?
This is a single-portal online process on the HPSC website, and no other means or mode of submission will be accepted. Before you begin, keep your scanned photograph, signature, Matriculation certificate, degree certificates, Haryana resident or domicile certificate and caste or category certificate ready. The portal is open only from 22 October 2026 to 28 October 2026, so follow these steps now. If you applied earlier, you do not need to apply again.
Step
Action
1
Visit the official HPSC application portal (link in Essential Links below) from 22 October 2026 to 28 October 2026 (re-opened window)
2
Register once using your mobile number — after successful registration a URN is created for you
3
Log in with your ID and apply against Advertisement No. 25/2026 for Food Safety Officer
4
Fill the form carefully and upload the documents the notification asks for, including your photograph and signature
5
Keep your Aadhaar number or Virtual ID ready, as it is needed for Aadhaar authentication during biometric attendance
6
Pay the fee online by Net Banking, Debit Card or Credit Card by 05:00 PM on 19 October 202628 October 2026
7
Take a printout of the submitted form, check it for errors, sign it and upload the signed copy back on the portal
8
Save the final confirmation and a copy of the signed form for your records
Step 7 is the one candidates lose their form on, so treat it as part of the application and not as paperwork afterwards. The table below lists the mistakes that end an application on this portal.
Mistake
What happens
Signed copy not uploaded
The application is treated as incomplete and candidature is rejected automatically
Error noticed after submission
No particular or detail can be changed after submission; you must fill a fresh form with a fresh fee before the closing date, and a form already submitted must be cancelled first; the earlier fee is neither adjusted nor refunded
Fee not paid
An application without the prescribed fee is summarily rejected unless remission of fee is claimed
More than one form submitted
Only the form with the highest or latest application number is entertained, and the fee paid on the other form is not adjusted
Eligibility not met on the closing date
The online system will not accept the application at all
What are the Important Dates for HPSC Food Safety Officer 2026?
Event
Date
Date of Advertisement
18 September 2026
Date of Publication
19 September 2026
Online Application Start Date
28 September 2026 (portal re-opened on 22 October 2026)
Last Date to Apply Online
19 October 2026 (05:00 PM)28 October 2026 (05:00 PM) (Extended)
Last Date for Fee Payment
19 October 2026 (05:00 PM)28 October 2026 (05:00 PM) (Extended)
Eligibility Cut-Off Date
19 October 202628 October 2026
Portal Re-opened
22 October 2026
Screening Test (if held)
6 December 2026
Subject Knowledge Test
31 January 2027
Admit Card
To be announced by HPSC
What is the Application Fee for HPSC Food Safety Officer 2026?
Category
Fee
Persons of Haryana with Benchmark Disabilities (at least 40%)
NIL
OSC, DSC, BC-A (NCL), BC-B (NCL), ESM, EWS and women candidates of Haryana
₹250
DESM candidates of Haryana in the OSC, DSC, BC-A (NCL), BC-B (NCL), ESM or EWS category
₹250
DESM candidates of Haryana in the UR category
₹1,000
All remaining candidates
₹1,000
Read that table closely, because the concession is narrower than it looks. Every reduced or nil fee above applies only to candidates of those categories who belong to Haryana. A reserved-category candidate from another state pays the full ₹1,000, the same as a General candidate. The fee is paid online only and is never refunded, nor can it be held in reserve for another examination or selection.
Forty-five Group-B posts with a confirmed starting basic of ₹35,400 do not come along often, and the accepted degree list here is wide enough to cover food technology, agriculture, veterinary and medical graduates alike. Keep your certificates ready and do not leave the form for the last evening — the re-opened window closes on 28 October 2026 at 05:00 PM (19 October 2026). Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more state government job notifications.