The Gujarat Subordinate Service Selection Board (GSSSB) has published the syllabus and exam pattern for the Food Safety Officer (FSO), Class-3 recruitment under Advertisement Nos. 465/2026-27 and 466/2026-27. There are 90 posts in all: 84 regular posts and 6 posts in a special drive only for persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD). The selection is by a single written exam of 210 marks.
The key point of this exam is that it has two parts with separate passing marks. Part A is general (90 marks) and Part B is technical (120 marks), and you must score at least 40% in each part. This guide gives the full syllabus, the unit-wise weightage of the technical part, a smart priority list, a study plan and a table that shows how the part-wise cut-off works.
GSSSB Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern — Complete Guide
Advt. Nos. 465/2026-27 and 466/2026-27 | 90 Posts | 210 Questions in 3 Hours | Apply on OJAS till 10 November 2026
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| Particulars | Details |
| Board | Gujarat Subordinate Service Selection Board (GSSSB) |
| Post | Food Safety Officer (FSO), Class-3 |
| Department | Health and Family Welfare Department, Gujarat |
| Advertisements | 465/2026-27 (regular) and 466/2026-27 (PwBD special drive) |
| Total Vacancies | 90 (84 regular + 6 PwBD) |
| Selection | Single-stage competitive exam, then document verification |
| Exam Mode | CBRT or OMR (to be decided by the Board) |
| Total Questions and Marks | 210 questions, 210 marks |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Negative Marking | One-fourth of the marks for each wrong answer |
| Minimum Marks | 40% separately in Part A and Part B |
| Online Application | 27 October 2026 (6:00 PM) to 10 November 2026 (11:59 PM) on OJAS |
| Official Websites | gsssb.gujarat.gov.in and ojas.gujarat.gov.in |
Recruitment Snapshot — Dates, Age and Pay
| Point | Details |
| Notification Date | 27 October 2026 |
| Application Opens | 27 October 2026, 6:00 PM |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 10 November 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 13 November 2026 |
| Cut-off Date for Qualification, Age and Certificates | 10 November 2026 |
| Age Limit | 18 to 37 years as on 10 November 2026 |
| Pay | Fixed ₹40,800 per month for the first 5 years, then Level 5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300) |
| Registration Needed | One Time Registration (OTR) on OJAS |
| Exam Date | Not announced yet |
The qualification for this post is in the food and science field, such as a Master’s degree in Chemistry or a degree in food technology, dairy, agriculture, veterinary science, biotechnology or microbiology, as summarised on job portals. The exact list is in the official notification, so check it before you apply.
You apply on 10 November but pay the fee up to 13 November, so the fee deadline gives you three extra days. Do not use them to delay the form, because a form without the fee is not valid.
GSSSB FSO Exam Pattern 2026
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
| A | Reasoning and Data Interpretation | 30 | 30 |
| A | Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 |
| A | Constitution of India | 10 | 10 |
| A | Current Affairs | 10 | 10 |
| A | Gujarati and English Comprehension | 10 | 10 |
| Part A Total | 90 | 90 | |
| B | Technical Subjects Related to Food Safety Officer | 120 | 120 |
| Grand Total | 210 | 210 |
You get about 51 seconds per question (180 minutes for 210 questions). Part B has 120 questions, which is 57% of the paper. Since technical questions need more thinking than reasoning questions, you must be quick in Part A to keep time for Part B.
Qualifying Marks — The Part-Wise Rule
| Part | Maximum Marks | Minimum (40%) |
| Part A | 90 | 36 |
| Part B | 120 | 48 |
| Total | 210 | 84 (combined minimum) |
Scoring 84 marks in total is not enough. You must score at least 36 in Part A and at least 48 in Part B. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee selection, because the final merit depends on the recruitment rules, your exam performance and the vacancies.
| Candidate | Part A | Part B | Total | Result |
| Candidate 1 | 40 | 50 | 90 | Meets both minimums |
| Candidate 2 | 60 | 45 | 105 | Fails Part B, even with a high total |
| Candidate 3 | 34 | 80 | 114 | Fails Part A, even with a high total |
| Candidate 4 | 36 | 48 | 84 | Meets the exact minimums |
The table shows two candidates with totals above 100 who still fail, because one part is below 40%. A balanced score matters more than one very strong part, so keep daily practice for both.
Negative Marking Explained
For a one-mark question, one wrong answer costs 0.25 mark. So four wrong answers cancel one correct answer. Please follow the official instructions about unanswered questions.
| Attempted | Correct | Wrong | Net Marks |
| 170 | 130 | 40 | 120.00 |
| 190 | 140 | 50 | 127.50 |
| 210 | 150 | 60 | 135.00 |
Attempting all 210 questions with 150 correct gives 135 net marks, while attempting 170 with 130 correct gives 120. The extra attempts are worth it only if your accuracy stays high. A safe rule is to answer a question when you can remove at least one option.
Part A Syllabus (90 Marks)
1. Reasoning and Data Interpretation — 30 Marks
- 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
- 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, mensuration and coordinate geometry
- Trigonometry
3. Constitution of India — 10 Marks
- Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles
- Union and State Governments
- Legislature, Executive and Judiciary
- Local self-government and constitutional institutions
- Indian democracy and elections
4. Current Affairs — 10 Marks
Current events of state, national and international importance. Gujarat-related developments, government schemes, science and technology, public health and food safety news are the most useful areas.
5. Gujarati and English Comprehension — 10 Marks
| Language | Marks |
| Gujarati Comprehension | 5 |
| English Comprehension | 5 |
| Total | 10 |
Practise reading short passages in both languages, finding the main idea, and answering questions on meaning in context.
Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude together carry 60 of the 90 marks of Part A. To reach the 36-mark minimum in Part A, you need about 24 of these 60 marks (40%) plus about 12 of the 30 marks from the other three subjects, which is a realistic target for most science graduates.
Part B Syllabus — Unit-Wise Weightage (120 Marks)
| Unit | Technical Subject | Marks | Share of Part B |
| 1 | Food Laws, Regulations, Certification and Development Schemes | 30 | 25% |
| 2 | Introduction to Basic Food Science | 20 | 16.7% |
| 3 | Food Microbiology and Food Biotechnology | 15 | 12.5% |
| 4 | Food and Nutrition | 5 | 4.2% |
| 5 | Food Preservation, Packaging and Storage | 5 | 4.2% |
| 6 | Agricultural Science | 5 | 4.2% |
| 7 | Food Safety, Quality Control, Hygiene and Standards | 15 | 12.5% |
| 8 | Animal Product Processing | 5 | 4.2% |
| 9 | Dairy Science | 10 | 8.3% |
| 10 | Food Processing Technology | 10 | 8.3% |
| Total | 120 | 100% |
Units 1, 2, 3 and 7 together carry 80 of the 120 marks (about 67%). Food laws alone are worth 30 marks, which is the same as the whole Reasoning section of Part A. These four units should get two thirds of your Part B study time.
Unit 1: Food Laws, Regulations, Certification and Development Schemes (30 Marks)
- 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 and Codex Alimentarius
- Food certification systems
- Government programmes related to food safety and food processing
Unit 2: Basic Food Science (20 Marks)
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 (15 Marks)
Bacteria, yeasts, moulds, microbial growth, food spoilage, foodborne pathogens, fermentation, food biotechnology, microbial testing and methods of controlling contamination.
Unit 7: Food Safety, Quality Control, Hygiene and Standards (15 Marks)
- Food quality control and assurance
- Food hygiene and sanitation
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and 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
Smaller Units (5 to 10 Marks Each)
| Unit | Study Areas |
| 4. Food and Nutrition (5) | Essential nutrients, balanced diets, vitamins, minerals, nutritional requirements and deficiency disorders |
| 5. Preservation, Packaging and Storage (5) | Drying, freezing, refrigeration, pasteurisation, canning, packaging materials and storage conditions |
| 6. Agricultural Science (5) | Crop production, agricultural commodities, post-harvest handling and food supply systems |
| 8. Animal Product Processing (5) | Processing, preservation, quality and hygiene of animal-origin food products |
| 9. Dairy Science (10) | Milk composition, milk processing, pasteurisation, dairy products, dairy microbiology, quality testing and preservation |
| 10. Food Processing Technology (10) | Food processing operations, preservation technologies, product development and quality during processing |
These topic lists are study areas, and the official GSSSB syllabus PDF is the final word for the full coverage.
Smart Priority List — Where to Spend Your Time
| Priority | Subjects | Why |
| Top | Food Laws (30), Basic Food Science (20), Microbiology (15), Food Safety and Quality Control (15) | These four units carry 80 of 120 Part B marks |
| High | Reasoning (30) and Quantitative Aptitude (30) | 60 marks of Part A, and they need regular practice |
| Medium | Dairy (10), Food Processing (10) | Direct questions, and these units are related to Units 2, 3 and 5 |
| Quick Wins | Constitution (10), Current Affairs (10), Nutrition (5), Preservation (5) | Fact-based, easy to score with revision |
| Do Not Skip | Gujarati and English Comprehension (10) and Agriculture and Animal Products (10) | Small marks, but they help you cross the Part A and Part B minimums |
This priority list is my study suggestion based on the unit weightage, and it is not an official guideline.
30-Day Study Plan
| Days | Focus |
| 1–5 | Food Laws: FSS Act 2006, FSSAI, licensing and registration, labelling, adulteration, BIS, AGMARK, Codex |
| 6–9 | Basic Food Science and Food Chemistry |
| 10–13 | Food Microbiology and Food Biotechnology |
| 14–17 | Food Safety, Quality Control, Hygiene (GMP, GHP, HACCP), sampling and analysis |
| 18–21 | Dairy Science, Food Processing, Preservation and Packaging, plus Nutrition, Agriculture and Animal Products |
| 22–24 | Reasoning, Data Interpretation and Quantitative Aptitude |
| 25–26 | Constitution, Current Affairs and Language Comprehension |
| 27–28 | Full-length mock tests of 210 questions in 180 minutes |
| 29–30 | Revision of weak areas and important concepts |
This is a suggested plan, and it is not an official timetable. Since the exam date is not announced, keep the same order and stretch each block if you have more time.
A Daily Routine That Works
- 2 hours of technical (Part B) study in the morning, when your mind is fresh
- 1 hour of reasoning and aptitude practice in the afternoon or evening
- 30 minutes of current affairs and Constitution notes before sleeping
- One timed sectional test each weekend and a full mock every two weeks
How to Apply — Quick Steps
- Complete your One Time Registration (OTR) on the OJAS portal, if you have not done it
- Open ojas.gujarat.gov.in and go to the current advertisements
- Choose Advertisement No. 465/2026-27 (regular) or 466/2026-27 (PwBD special drive)
- Fill in the form, upload documents and submit before 10 November 2026, 11:59 PM
- Pay the examination fee online before 13 November 2026
- Save the confirmation printout
Mistakes to Avoid
- Studying only Part B and ignoring Part A, then missing the 36-mark minimum
- Studying only aptitude and missing the 48-mark minimum in the technical part
- Not reading the official syllabus PDF for your advertisement number
- Guessing every question, which can bring a lot of negative marks
- Waiting for the last day to apply, when the OJAS portal can be slow
- Not checking the qualification list in the notification before applying
GSSSB Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 — FAQs
Q. What is the GSSSB Food Safety Officer exam pattern?
210 MCQs for 210 marks in 3 hours, with Part A of 90 marks and Part B of 120 marks.
Q. What is covered in Part A?
Reasoning and Data Interpretation (30), Quantitative Aptitude (30), Constitution of India (10), Current Affairs (10) and Gujarati and English Comprehension (10).
Q. What is covered in Part B?
Technical subjects: food laws, food science, microbiology, nutrition, preservation, agriculture, quality control, animal products, dairy science and food processing.
Q. Which unit has the highest marks in Part B?
Food Laws, Regulations, Certification and Development Schemes, with 30 marks.
Q. Is there negative marking?
Yes. One-fourth of the marks of a question are cut for each wrong answer.
Q. What are the minimum qualifying marks?
40% in each part: 36 out of 90 in Part A and 48 out of 120 in Part B.
Q. Can I pass with a total of 84 marks?
Only if you score at least 36 in Part A and at least 48 in Part B. A total of 84 alone is not enough.
Q. How many vacancies are there?
90 in total: 84 regular posts under 465/2026-27 and 6 PwBD posts under 466/2026-27.
Q. What is the last date to apply?
10 November 2026 (11:59 PM) for the form, and 13 November 2026 for the online fee payment.
Q. What is the age limit?
18 to 37 years as on 10 November 2026, as per the job summaries.
Q. Is the exam date announced?
Not yet. The exam may be held in CBRT or OMR mode, as decided by the Board.
Important Links |
|
| Apply Online on OJAS (Till 10 November 2026) | click here |
| Download Official Syllabus (Advt. 465/2026-27 and 466/2026-27) | click here |
| GSSSB Official Website | click here |
| firstjob24 jobs | click here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | click here |
| Subscribe on YouTube | click here |
