Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Internship Scheme

What is the FSSAI Internship Scheme?

The FSSAI Internship Scheme is a short-term internship programme run by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that regulates food safety in India. According to the FSSAI Internship Policy, the programme gives currently enrolled students an opportunity to work with FSSAI's headquarters, regional offices and laboratories, gain exposure to food-safety regulation, and contribute to ongoing work.

The internship is designed as a learning opportunity, not a job. Interns are attached to a specific office or division and work under a reporting officer. The scheme is open across disciplines; food technology and science are the most directly relevant, but students of law, commerce, information technology and journalism can also apply, reflecting the range of FSSAI's regulatory, legal and communications work.

How much stipend and how long?

According to the FSSAI Internship Policy, the key terms are:

• Duration: a minimum of two months, extendable up to a maximum of six months. No internship shorter than two months is offered.
• Stipend: Rs 10,000 for the entire internship period, not a monthly amount, payable to deserving interns.

The stipend is not automatic. According to the policy, it is given to deserving interns on the recommendation of the office or division they are attached with, and the criteria for "deserving" are decided on the basis of (a) attendance and (b) assessment by the reporting officer. The stipend is generally released after the internship is completed and the required report or presentation has been submitted and evaluated.

Interns who complete the internship satisfactorily receive a certificate from FSSAI.

Where are interns placed and what do they do?

Interns are attached to a specific office or division of FSSAI. This can be the FSSAI headquarters, one of its regional offices, or its laboratories, depending on the requirement and the intern's background. Each intern works under a designated reporting officer who supervises the work and later assesses the intern for the stipend and certificate. Because the placement is division-based, the nature of the work varies: a food-science student may support laboratory or standards work, while a law or commerce student may assist regulatory, legal or administrative divisions. Interns are expected to maintain regular attendance and to follow FSSAI's conduct and confidentiality norms during the engagement, and to submit a report or presentation at the end that forms the basis of their evaluation.

Who is eligible for the FSSAI internship?

You can apply if you are:

• A student currently pursuing a full-time degree in a recognised institution.
• Studying in a relevant field — food science, life sciences, biotechnology, law, commerce, information technology, journalism and allied areas.

You cannot apply if you:

• Have already completed your degree. The internship is only for students currently enrolled in a full-time programme.
• Are a working professional seeking short-term placement outside a full-time student status.

Selection is competitive and depends on the requirement of the division offering the internship, so meeting the eligibility bar does not guarantee a place.

How to apply for the FSSAI internship

FSSAI advertises internship openings in batches rather than keeping a permanent window open. To apply:

1. Watch the FSSAI website (fssai.gov.in); internship tenures are declared online, generally on a quarterly basis through the year.
2. Check the notified eligibility and division requirements for the batch, since specific divisions may want particular academic backgrounds.
3. Prepare your documents; proof of current enrolment/bonafide certificate, latest academic records, and an updated resume.
4. Submit your application through the process specified in the internship notification before the stated deadline.
5. If selected, complete the internship under your reporting officer, maintain attendance, and submit the required report or presentation at the end to be considered for the stipend and certificate.

What documents are required?

Is this the right guide for you?

The FSSAI Internship Scheme suits current students who want hands-on exposure to food-safety regulation and are willing to commit at least two months. If you have already graduated, this internship is not open to you: look instead at entry-level roles or other government internship and fellowship programmes. Since openings are batch-based and competitive, keep an eye on the FSSAI website and apply promptly when a quarterly call appears.