GSSSB Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 has been published for the Food Safety Officer (FSO), Class-3 recruitment conducted by the Gujarat Subordinate Service Selection Board (GSSSB). The examination will consist of 210 multiple-choice questions carrying 210 marks, divided into Part A (90 marks) and Part B (120 marks). The total examination duration is 3 hours, with negative marking of one-fourth of the marks allotted to each incorrect answer. Candidates must obtain at least 40% marks separately in both parts. Applicants can check the subject-wise syllabus, examination pattern, qualifying marks and official syllabus PDF through gsssb.gujarat.gov.in.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 PDF Download

GSSSB has published syllabus documents for Food Safety Officer, Class-3, under Advertisement Nos. 465/2026-27 and 466/2026-27. Candidates should download the syllabus applicable to their recruitment advertisement from the official website.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 – Overview

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Exam Pattern 2026

The GSSSB Food Safety Officer examination consists of two parts. Part A assesses reasoning, numerical aptitude, constitutional knowledge, current affairs and language comprehension. Part B covers technical subjects related to Food Safety Officer qualifications and their practical applications.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Qualifying Marks 2026

Candidates must obtain at least 40% marks separately in Part A and Part B to meet the minimum qualifying standard.

Important: Scoring 84 marks in total does not automatically satisfy the qualifying requirements. Candidates must score at least 36 marks in Part A and 48 marks in Part B individually.

Meeting the minimum qualifying standard does not guarantee selection. Final merit depends on the applicable recruitment rules, examination performance and available vacancies.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 – Part A

Part A consists of 90 questions carrying 90 marks. Candidates should prepare for reasoning, quantitative aptitude, constitutional knowledge, current affairs and language comprehension.

1. Reasoning and Data Interpretation – 30 Marks

This section evaluates logical thinking, analytical ability and data interpretation skills.

• Analogy and classification
• Number and alphabet series
• Coding and decoding
• Blood relations
• Direction and distance
• Ranking and ordering
• Venn diagrams
• Logical reasoning and conclusions
• Clocks and calendars
• Data sufficiency
• Tables, charts and graphs
• Probability and basic mathematical reasoning
• Data interpretation using percentages, ratios and averages

2. Quantitative Aptitude – 30 Marks

The quantitative aptitude section focuses on arithmetic, numerical ability and mathematical problem-solving.

• Number system
• LCM and HCF
• Fractions and decimals
• Ratio and proportion
• Percentages
• Average
• Profit and loss
• Simple and compound interest
• Partnership
• Time and work
• Speed, time and distance
• Algebra and equations
• Geometry and mensuration
• Coordinate geometry
• Trigonometry

3. Constitution of India – 10 Marks

• Preamble of the Constitution
• Fundamental Rights
• Fundamental Duties
• Directive Principles of State Policy
• Union and State Governments
• Legislature, Executive and Judiciary
• Local Self-Government
• Constitutional institutions
• Indian democracy and elections

4. Current Affairs – 10 Marks

Candidates should prepare current events of state, national and international importance. Gujarat-related developments, government schemes, science, technology, public health and food safety developments are useful preparation areas.

5. Gujarati and English Comprehension – 10 Marks

The language section carries 10 marks, divided equally between Gujarati comprehension and English comprehension.

Candidates should practise reading passages, interpreting information, understanding contextual meaning and answering comprehension-based questions.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 – Part B

Part B is the technical section of the Food Safety Officer examination. It carries 120 marks and focuses on food safety laws, food science, microbiology, nutrition, food processing, agricultural science, quality control and related technical disciplines.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Technical Syllabus – Unit-Wise Weightage

Unit 1: Food Laws, Regulations, Certification and Development Schemes

This unit carries 30 marks and is the highest-weightage technical unit. Important preparation topics include:

• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
• Food Safety and Standards Rules and Regulations
• Food licensing and registration
• Food adulteration and misbranding
• Food labelling requirements
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
• AGMARK
• Codex Alimentarius
• Food certification systems
• Government programmes related to food safety and food processing

Unit 2: Introduction to Basic Food Science

This unit carries 20 marks and includes the scientific principles associated with food composition, characteristics and changes during processing.

Useful study areas include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, food chemistry, enzymes, food additives, physical and chemical properties of food, water activity, acidity and food deterioration.

Unit 3: Food Microbiology and Food Biotechnology

This unit carries 15 marks and covers microorganisms associated with food, their characteristics and applications.

Important preparation areas include bacteria, yeasts, moulds, microbial growth, food spoilage, foodborne pathogens, fermentation, food biotechnology, microbial testing and methods of controlling contamination.

Unit 4: Food and Nutrition

This unit carries 5 marks. Candidates should prepare essential nutrients, balanced diets, vitamins, minerals, nutritional requirements, deficiency disorders and the relationship between food and human health.

Unit 5: Food Preservation, Packaging and Storage

This unit carries 5 marks and focuses on techniques used to extend the shelf life and maintain the safety and quality of food products.

Preparation areas include drying, freezing, refrigeration, pasteurisation, canning, packaging materials, storage conditions and deterioration prevention.

Unit 6: Agricultural Science

This unit carries 5 marks and is related to the agricultural production and handling of food materials.

Candidates can revise crop production, agricultural commodities, post-harvest handling, agricultural quality practices and food supply systems.

Unit 7: Food Safety, Quality Control, Hygiene and Standards

This unit carries 15 marks. Important topics include:

• Food quality control and assurance
• Food hygiene and sanitation
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Good Hygiene Practices (GHP)
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
• Food contamination and adulteration
• Food safety inspections
• Sampling and laboratory analysis
• Quality standards and compliance

Unit 8: Animal Product Processing

This unit carries 5 marks and relates to processing, preservation, quality and hygiene requirements for animal-origin food products.

Unit 9: Dairy Science

This unit carries 10 marks. Candidates should prepare milk composition, milk processing, pasteurisation, dairy products, dairy microbiology, quality testing and preservation.

Unit 10: Food Processing Technology

This unit carries 10 marks and focuses on food processing operations, preservation technologies, food product development and quality maintenance during processing.

Preparation note: The technical topics described within each unit are useful study areas. Candidates should use the official GSSSB syllabus PDF as the final authority for the complete prescribed coverage.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Exam 2026 – Negative Marking

The examination includes negative marking for incorrect answers. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong response.

For a one-mark question, an incorrect answer results in a deduction of 0.25 marks. Candidates should also follow the official instructions regarding unanswered questions and any other available response options.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Selection Process 2026

The recruitment selection process includes a single-stage competitive examination followed by eligibility verification and the applicable selection procedures.

1. Competitive Examination: An objective examination containing Part A and Part B, carrying a total of 210 marks.
2. Merit Preparation: Candidates are considered according to examination performance and applicable recruitment rules.
3. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates must produce the required original certificates.
4. Final Selection: Selection is subject to merit, eligibility and applicable reservation requirements.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Exam Preparation Tips 2026

Since Part B carries 120 out of 210 marks, candidates should give significant attention to the technical syllabus while ensuring that Part A is also adequately prepared.

• Study the official syllabus and understand the weightage assigned to each unit.
• Prioritise Food Laws and Regulations, Basic Food Science, Microbiology and Quality Control.
• Practise reasoning and quantitative aptitude questions regularly.
• Prepare Gujarati and English comprehension separately.
• Revise the Constitution of India and important current affairs.
• Attempt timed mock tests covering 210 questions.
• Review incorrect answers and revise weak technical topics.
• Prepare to secure the minimum qualifying marks in both parts independently.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer 30-Day Study Plan

Candidates preparing over a 30-day period can use the following sample revision schedule. This is a suggested study plan, not an official timetable issued by GSSSB.

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 – Important Links

GSSSB Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 – FAQs