Overview
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) recruitment drive in 2025 is one of the year’s biggest government hiring events. Posts range across Manager, Junior Engineer, Assistant Grade/AG, Stenographers, Typists and other technical/non-technical roles. Most written selection processes follow a multi-phase online test (Prelims/Phase I, Mains/Phase II ± post-specific papers). Given the scale and competition (tens of thousands of vacancies have been reported for 2025 cycles), knowing the official food corporation exam syllabus and exam structure must be your first step.

Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility varies by post (Manager, JE, Assistant Grade etc.). Typical requirements candidates must check in the official notification include:
- Nationality: Indian citizen (subject to notification specifics).
- Educational qualification:
- Assistant Grade III (AG III): Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) for general posts; post-specific degrees/qualifications for technical/accounts roles.
- Junior Engineer (JE): Diploma or BE/BTech (relevant branch).
- Manager/Category II posts: Graduate/postgraduate and in many streams a minimum percentage may be specified (and some streams require specialized degrees).
- Assistant Grade III (AG III): Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) for general posts; post-specific degrees/qualifications for technical/accounts roles.
- Age limits & relaxations: Vary by post and category. For several posts the common upper age is in the high-20s (e.g., 27–28) while some posts (like Manager — Hindi) have higher upper limits; statutory relaxations for OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Ex-servicemen apply. Always check the specific post notification for exact cut-offs.
Exam Pattern
FCI selection typically uses a phased food corporation exam syllabus. While exact names and timings can change by recruitment year, the commonly reported structure for 2025 cycles is:
- Phase I / Prelims (Objective): Single online paper including English Language, Numerical Aptitude, Reasoning Ability and sometimes General Studies/General Awareness. Typical format: 100–120 MCQs, ~60–90 minutes.
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- Phase II / Mains (Objective + Post-specific):
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- Paper I (General Aptitude): English, Reasoning, Numerical, General Studies — around 120 marks/90 minutes.
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- Paper II (Post-specific): For technical/accounts posts there’s an additional paper (often 60 questions, 120 marks — check weightage). Some posts (e.g., Manager Hindi) have a language paper.
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- Paper I (General Aptitude): English, Reasoning, Numerical, General Studies — around 120 marks/90 minutes.
- Negative marking: Commonly ÂĽ mark deduction for incorrect answers in many stages (confirm in notification).
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- Final stages: Skill tests (typing/steno), document verification and/or interview for certain posts.
Syllabus
Below is a concise, high-value breakdown of the food corporation exam syllabus by subject. Use this as the backbone of your study plan.
1. English LanguageÂ
- Reading comprehension (long/short passages)
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- Cloze test, para jumbles
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- Error spotting / sentence correction
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- Fillers, vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms/one-word substitutions)
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- Para completion, phrase replacement.
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2. Reasoning Ability & General Intelligence
- Syllogisms, seating arrangement, puzzles
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- Coding-decoding, blood relations, directions
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- Series (numeric/alphanumeric), inequality, data sufficiency
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- Input-output, logical reasoning & critical thinking tasks.
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3. Numerical Aptitude / Quantitative Aptitude
- Number systems, percentages, ratios & proportions
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- Time & work, time & distance, averages, mixtures & alligations
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- Profit & loss, simple & compound interest, mensuration, algebra, geometry
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- Data interpretation (tables, charts, graphs).
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4. General Studies / General Awareness
- Current affairs (last 6–12 months; economy, schemes)
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- Indian polity, geography, modern & post-independence history
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- Basic science (up to Class 8 level for many posts) and computer basics
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- Agriculture & food-related policies (for technical/food-inspector streams).
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5. Post-specific Papers (Accounts / Technical / Engineering)
- Accounts: Accounting principles, company/accounts standards, budget & finance basics.
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- Technical / JE: Discipline-wise engineering topics (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical), food technology for certain posts.
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- Computer Knowledge: Basics of MS Office, internet, data security.
The exact topics and marks are post-specific; consult the official PDF for full syllabi.
Important Dates
The official FCI recruitment notification contains final dates. For the 2025 cycle multiple reputable portals reported a large vacancy release and tentatively projected notification windows — but you must confirm dates on the official portal before applying. Key milestones to track:
- Official notification release – check fci.gov.in .
- Application start / last date – displayed in the notification.
- Admit card release – usually ~2 weeks before exam date.
- Phase I / Phase II exam dates – published with the admit cards.
Bookmark the official FCI page and set calendar alerts for the notification and closing date. Official FCI site: https://fci.gov.in.
How to Apply
- Check the official notification on FCI’s website: fci.gov.in. It lists posts, vacancies, fee, eligibility, exam pattern and timelines.
- Register online on the application portal linked from the notification.
- Fill the form carefully (personal details, educational qualifications, category, zone preferences).
- Upload documents (photo, signature, category certificates) as per specified size and format.
- Pay fees online (if applicable) and download the confirmation page / receipt.
- Keep copies of the submitted form and payment receipt for future reference.
Preparation Tips
- Start with the syllabus: Map topics to a 10–12 week plan; allocate daily slots for Quant/Reasoning/English.
- Quality resources: Use standard NCERTs for basics, plus focused food corporation exam syllabus test series and previous year papers. (Mock tests are the single best predictor of exam readiness.
- Timed practice: Simulate full-length tests (strict timing & negative marking) to build pace/accuracy.
- Sectional strategy: For many Indian competitive exams, score gains come fastest in Reasoning & Data Interpretation with daily practice.
- Current affairs: Maintain a 6-month current affairs file—focus on economy, food & agriculture schemes and government policies.
- Post-specific study: If applying for technical or accounts streams, allocate 40% of revision time to technical papers in the last 4 weeks.
- Revision & short notes: Create formula/shortcut sheets and revise them in the last 10 days only.
FAQs
Q. Where do I get the official food corporation exam syllabus PDF?
Q. Is there negative marking?
Q. How many phases are there?
Q. Which posts require special skills?
Internal resources by Career Managers
If you want tailored coaching, test series, or zone-wise exam strategies, Career Managers provides focused guidance and mock tests for government exams and related streams:
Final checklist before you submit application
- Read the official notification line-by-line.
- Confirm your exact eligibility (date of birth reference, qualifying cut-offs).
- Scan documents, confirm sizes & formats.
- Pay fees and save confirmation.
- Start a timed mock test program immediately.
Author & Review box
Author: Career Managers — exam & career coaching specialists
Location: Near Maxus Mall, Near Old MHB Colony, Gorai Road, Borivali-West
Website: https://careermanagers.in/
Phone: +91 89760 55508
Reviewed by: Senior Faculty — Competitive Exams (Career Managers)
Last updated: Based on 2025 recruitment cycle reports and official advisory channels. For official PDFs and exact dates always refer to FCI’s website: https://fci.gov.in.Â