HPSC FSO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026: Download Official Syllabus PDF

Haryana Public Service Commission has released the examination scheme and syllabus for Food Safety Officer recruitment under Advertisement No. 25/2026. The selection process includes a Screening Test, Subject Knowledge Test, and Interview. Candidates can download the official PDF and review topic-wise details below. Candidates can also check the HPSC Food Safety Officer Recruitment 2026 details for information about vacancies, eligibility, and the application process.

Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) has issued the official announcement outlining the scheme and syllabus for recruitment to 45 posts of Food Safety Officer (Group-B) in the Food & Drugs Administration Department, Haryana, under Advertisement No. 25/2026.

The examination scheme comprises a Screening Test for shortlisting, a Subject Knowledge Test, and an Interview. Review the complete syllabus, stage-wise paper pattern, qualifying standards, and official PDF download details below.

HPSC FSO Syllabus 2026 Highlights

The table below provides a concise overview of the examination scheme, conducting body, vacancy details, and syllabus status. Candidates preparing for the recruitment process can check the key details tabulated here.

Candidates can refer to the HPSC Food Safety Officer Recruitment 2026 notification for additional recruitment-related details.

HPSC FSO Syllabus 2026 PDF Download

Candidates can access the official notification containing the complete syllabus and examination scheme directly through the commission's link. The document outlines the general subjects for the preliminary screening as well as twelve specialized units for the subject knowledge paper.

Download the official document using the link below:

Candidates preparing for other technical recruitment examinations can also refer to the FSSAI Central Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 to explore the subject areas covered in food safety, food science, food technology, and regulatory knowledge.

How to Download HPSC FSO Syllabus 2026?

Candidates can follow these official steps to obtain the examination scheme and syllabus directly from the commission portal:

1. Visit the official website of the Haryana Public Service Commission at hpsc.gov.in.

2. Navigate to the Announcements or Syllabus section on the homepage.

3. Locate the link for Scheme and Pattern of Examination / Syllabus for the post of Food Safety Officer (Group-B) (Advt. No. 25/2026).

4. Click on the document link to view the official PDF.

5. Download and save the PDF file for exam preparation.

Candidates can also check the IBPS Clerk Admit Card 2026 article for an example of how candidates can access recruitment-related documents and examination information through official portals.

HPSC FSO Stage-Wise Syllabus 2026

The syllabus covers both general aptitude and in-depth technical subjects relevant to food science, safety regulations, and public health. Candidates must prepare according to the structure specified for each stage.

The table below outlines the subject distribution across the Screening Test and the Subject Knowledge Test.

Screening Test Syllabus Topics

• General Science: Core scientific concepts and daily applications.

• Current Events: National and international developments of significance.

• History & Geography: Indian history, Indian geography, and world geography.

• Polity, Economy & Culture: Indian culture, governance structure, constitutional framework, and economic fundamentals.

• Mental Ability & Numeracy: General mental ability (reasoning and analytical abilities), basic numeracy (Class X level), and data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data sufficiency at Class X level).

• Haryana General Knowledge: History, geography, polity, economy, and culture of Haryana.

Candidates preparing for the general awareness component can also refer to the RBI Grade B Admit Card 2026 article for related recruitment examination information.

Detailed Subject Knowledge Test Syllabus (Units I to XII)

• Unit I (Food Chemistry and Constituents): Composition, classification, structure, functional properties of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, water, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre; food enzymes, physical chemistry of foods (pH, water activity, colloids, emulsions), anti-nutritional factors, and chemical changes during cooking/storage.

• Unit II (Human Nutrition and Public Health): Digestion, absorption, nutrient metabolism, balanced diet, RDA; nutritional status assessment (BMI, BMR, PER, NPU); deficiencies, malnutrition, fortification, non-communicable diseases; major national nutrition and food-security programmes.

• Unit III (Food Microbiology): Food-relevant microorganisms, foodborne pathogens, infections, intoxications, microbial spoilage of major food groups, beneficial fermentative organisms, and standard plate count/enumeration principles.

• Unit IV (Primary Production and Food Supply): Farming systems in India and Haryana; livestock, poultry, fishery, apiculture production; GAP, GHP, soil and water quality, pesticide use, harvest/post-harvest handling, and roles of ICAR, KVKs, and NABARD.

• Unit V (Food Commodities and Product Technology): Processing and quality attributes of milk, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, fruits, vegetables, spices, and beverages; adulteration and authenticity standards.

• Unit VI (Preservation, Processing, Packaging and Storage): Thermal processing, pasteurization, sterilization, drying, freezing, irradiation, fermentation; novel methods (HPP, pulsed electric fields, cold plasma, membrane filtration); hurdle technology, food additives; packaging materials, food-contact safety, and shelf-life controls.

• Unit VII (Food Hazards, Hygiene and Safety Management): Biological, chemical, physical, and allergen hazards; hygiene in food establishments; FSSAI Schedule 4, prerequisite programmes, GMP, GHP, GLP, HACCP, and ISO 22000:2018 systems.

• Unit VIII (Food Sampling, Analysis and Laboratory Quality): Sampling plans, chain of custody, chemical, physical, spectroscopic, chromatographic, and microbiological methods; method validation, measurement uncertainty; FSSAI RAFT kits, laboratory recognition, and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

• Unit IX (Indian Food Law and Regulatory Compliance): Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and FSS Rules, 2011; applicable FSS regulations; FSO inspection, surveillance, sampling, seizure procedures, and roles of Designated Officers, Food Analysts, and Commissioners.

• Unit X (FSSAI Systems, Institutions and Initiatives): Functions of FSSAI and State Food Authorities; Eat Right India, food fortification, Clean Street Food Hubs, RUCO; roles of BIS, AGMARK, APEDA, EIC, MPEDA, Spices Board, CFTRI, NIFTEM, ICAR, ICMR, and DFRL.

• Unit XI (International Food Control and Standards): Codex Alimentarius Commission, JECFA, JEMRA, JMPR; WTO SPS and TBT agreements; international standard-setting bodies.

• Unit XII (Food Biotechnology and Emerging Developments): Biotechnology principles, fermentation, enzymes, GM foods and biosafety regulations; emerging hazards, rapid diagnostics, and recent FSSAI regulations.

Candidates who want to compare technical food safety topics with another recruitment syllabus can refer to the OSSC Food Safety Officer Syllabus 2026 for subject-wise topics and examination structure.

HPSC Food Safety Officer Exam Pattern 2026

The recruitment scheme specifies distinct formats, weightages, and qualifying criteria for each stage. While the Screening Test serves exclusively for shortlisting candidates, final merit is computed from the Subject Knowledge Test and Interview.

The table below outlines the detailed exam pattern, durations, and qualifying benchmarks.

Candidates following other competitive recruitment schedules can also check the Bank of India Credit Officer Admit Card 2026 update for details about an examination's format, qualifying marks, and instructions.

Important Rules and Marking Scheme

• Screening Test Question Options: Each question has 5 options. The fifth option must be darkened if a candidate leaves a question unattempted.

• Negative Marking in Screening Test: Deduction of one-fourth (1/4) mark applies for every wrong answer or if a candidate neither attempts a question nor darkens the fifth circle.

• Disqualification Clause: A candidate who fails to darken any of the five circles in more than 10% of questions will be disqualified.

• Mandatory Attendance: Attendance in every stage of the examination process is compulsory. Candidates absent at any stage will be eliminated.

• Final Selection Weightage: Final merit is determined on the basis of Subject Knowledge Test marks (87.5% weightage) and Interview marks (12.5% weightage).

Candidates preparing for other recruitment examinations can also review the UP Cooperative Bank Admit Card 2026 article for additional information on examination schedules and candidate instructions.