Organic Food Certification in India: FSSAI, NPOP, and PGS Requirements 2026

The Organic Food Market in India

India is one of the world's largest producers of organic food, with over 4.4 million certified organic farmers — the highest in any country. The domestic organic food market is growing at 25% annually and is expected to reach ₹75,000 crore by 2028. If you want to participate in this market — whether as a farmer, processor, or retailer — you need to understand India's organic certification framework.

India's Organic Certification Framework

India has three main organic certification systems:

System	Governed by	Who it's for	Logo
NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production)	APEDA, Ministry of Commerce	Exporters, commercial producers	"India Organic" logo
PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System)	Ministry of Agriculture	Small and marginal farmers for domestic market	"PGS Green" or "PGS Organic" logo
FSSAI Organic Standards	FSSAI	All food businesses selling organic products in India	Must display NPOP/PGS certification + FSSAI number

NPOP Certification — For Commercial and Export-Oriented Organic Businesses

NPOP is the third-party certification program accredited by APEDA. It is equivalent to EU organic standards (mutual recognition), making NPOP-certified Indian products eligible for export to Europe without additional certification.

NPOP Certification Process

1. Select an Accredited Certification Body (CB): Choose from APEDA-accredited CBs like SKAL India, Bureau Veritas, IMO India, or Ecocert
2. Apply to the CB: Submit your farm/facility details, location, area, cropping history, and input usage history for the past 3 years
3. Conversion Period: For land with a history of chemical use, a minimum 2-year conversion period is required before the crop can be certified organic (3 years for perennial crops). During this period, organic practices must be followed.
4. Inspection: The CB inspects your farm and reviews records annually
5. Testing: Soil and produce samples may be tested for pesticide residues
6. Certificate Issued: If all requirements are met, you receive the NPOP certificate and the right to use the "India Organic" logo
7. Annual Renewal: Certification is renewed annually through inspection

NPOP Certification Cost: ₹15,000–₹50,000 per year for small farms; higher for large operations or processing units.

PGS-India — For Small Farmers

PGS-India is a participatory certification system designed for small and marginal farmers who find third-party certification too expensive. In PGS-India:

• Farmers form local groups and certify each other through peer review
• Groups register on the PGS-India portal maintained by APEDA
• Minimum 5 farmers per group; group elects a Secretary and conducts internal peer audits
• Two levels: PGS Green (farm under conversion) and PGS Organic (fully converted)
• PGS certification is valid for sale within India only — not for export
• Cost: Very low — mainly registration and administrative charges

FSSAI Requirements for Organic Food Businesses

The FSSAI Organic Food Regulations (2017) require:

• Any food labeled as "Organic" must be certified under NPOP or PGS-India
• The "India Organic" logo (for NPOP) or PGS logo must be displayed on the packaging
• The certification body's name and certificate number must appear on the label
• The FSSAI license number of the seller/manufacturer must also appear
• No product can be labeled "organic" without valid certification — even if the farmer genuinely uses no pesticides
• Processed organic food must use at least 95% organic ingredients to carry the "Organic" label

Can You Sell Organic Food Without Certification?

This is a common question. The answer:

• If you are a small farmer selling directly to local consumers (farmer's market, roadside stall), you may describe your produce as grown without pesticides — but cannot use the word "Organic" or the India Organic logo without certification
• If you sell online or through stores, you must be certified to use the "Organic" label
• Using "Organic" without certification can attract FSSAI penalties up to ₹10 lakh for misleading labelling

Conclusion

India's organic certification system — NPOP for commercial/export businesses and PGS-India for small farmers — provides a credible framework for growing and selling organic food. If you want to participate in the premium organic market, getting your certification is essential. Pair your organic certification with an FSSAI license to sell legally and confidently. Velco Legal India can help you navigate both the FSSAI licensing process and connect you with accredited certification bodies for your organic business.