AGMARK Certification, fully online for 2026
Grade your agricultural and food products under the Agricultural Produce (Grading & Marking) Act, 1937 filed end-to-end on the DMI's AQCMS portal, with lab coordination and renewal tracking handled by SSA Tax.
The Basics
What is AGMARK Certification?
AGMARK short for Agriculture Mark is India's quality-grading mark for agricultural and processed food products. It is granted under the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 (amended 1986), and administered by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Unlike a business license, AGMARK certifies the quality grade of the product itself cereals, pulses, ghee, honey, spices, edible oils and more after laboratory testing against a notified grade standard. A certified pack tells buyers, retailers and importers that the contents have been independently verified, not just self-declared.
SSA Tax helps food processors, packers, traders and exporters secure this Certificate of Authorisation correctly the first time, so your AGMARK replica reaches the shelf without delay.
1937
Founding Act (amended 1986)
220+
Commodities under notified grade standards
11+1
Regional Labs + Central Agmark Lab, Nagpur
DMI
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Why It Matters
What AGMARK Certification Does for Your Business
Beyond compliance, an AGMARK grade is a trust signal that moves products faster through retail, export and government procurement channels.
Lab-Verified Quality
Every certified batch is tested against a notified grade standard, not just labelled by the manufacturer.
Consumer & Retailer Trust
Buyers recognise AGMARK instantly, reducing friction in onboarding with large retail chains and distributors.
Export Readiness
AGMARK standards are aligned with Codex Alimentarius guidance, easing acceptance in international markets.
Tender Eligibility
Many government and institutional tenders for food grains, oils and pulses require AGMARK-graded supply.
Mandatory-Category Compliance
For edible vegetable oils and vanaspati, AGMARK is a legal requirement, not optionahelping avoid penalties and product seizures.
Premium Positioning
Certified packs routinely command better shelf placement and pricing compared to uncertified competitors.
2026 Regulatory Update
New AGMARK Rules & Regulations You Should Know
AGMARK compliance has changed shape over the last few cycles. Here's what's different heading into 2026.
Fully digital filing
The Agmark Quality Control Management System (AQCMS) now handles Certificate of Authorisation applications, laboratory sample tracking and certificate issuance entirely online via the DMI's portal.
Aadhaar-based e-signing
Applications and certificates can be authenticated digitally, cutting down physical paperwork and in-person visits to DMI offices.
Online fee payment
Government fees can be paid through the integrated Bharat Kosh gateway, with instant e-codes generated for approved replicas.
Lighter renewal process
Several recent orders have simplified renewals for many authorised packers, a fresh site inspection is no longer mandatory at every renewal cycle.
One Nation–One Commodity–One Regulator
As FSSAI consolidates food-safety oversight, AGMARK is being folded into a more unified compliance framework for several processed-food categories.
Edible oils stay mandatory
Edible vegetable oils and vanaspati continue to require AGMARK certification under FSSAI regulations, even as it turns voluntary-but-valuable elsewhere.
Eligibility
Who Needs AGMARK Certification?
Food Manufacturers
Processed foods, packaged snacks, sauces and canned goods producers.
Farmers & FPOs
Growers and producer organisations dealing in cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables.
Traders & Exporters
Businesses trading or exporting graded agricultural commodities.
Packagers
Units that pack agri-products for retail or export distribution.
Edible Oil Producers
Mustard, sunflower, groundnut and other cooking-oil manufacturers mandatory category.
Spice, Honey & Ghee Producers
Packaged spice, honey and dairy-fat businesses seeking a quality edge.
Don't Confuse These
AGMARK vs. Other Licenses & Registrations
AGMARK is often mixed up with other compliance marks. Here's how it actually differs.
| Parameter | AGMARK | FSSAI License | Drug License | BIS Hallmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governing Law | Agricultural Produce (Grading & Marking) Act, 1937 | Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 | Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 | BIS Act, 2016 |
| Regulator | DMI, Ministry of Agriculture | FSSAI | State/Central Drug Licensing Authority | Bureau of Indian Standards |
| What It Covers | Quality grade of agri & food commodities | Hygiene & safety of every food business | Manufacture, sale & import/export of drugs & cosmetics | Purity of gold & silver articles |
| Mandatory? | Only for edible oils & vanaspati; voluntary elsewhere | Mandatory for every food business operator | Mandatory for every pharma/cosmetic business | Mandatory for hallmarked jewellery sale |
| Where to Apply | AQCMS portal (DMI) | FoSCoS portal | State Drug Control Dept. | BIS Care portal |
Step-by-Step
AGMARK Registration Process (AQCMS, 2026)
Here's exactly how the online Certificate of Authorisation journey works.
Create Your AQCMS Account
Sign up as a primary user on the DMI's AGMARK Online portal and add your manufacturing/packing unit as a secondary user.
File the Application
Submit the commodity-wise Certificate of Authorisation form with business, premises and product documents.
Pay Fees Online
Clear the prescribed government fee through the integrated online payment gateway no physical demand draft needed.
Sample Testing & Verification
Your product sample is tested at the nearest Regional Agmark Laboratory or the Central Agmark Laboratory, Nagpur; premises checks apply where required.
Certificate & e-Code Issued
On approval, DMI issues your Certificate of Authorisation along with a unique e-code for printing the AGMARK replica.
Renew on Schedule
SSA Tax tracks your validity period and files the renewal on AQCMS before expiry, so your supply chain is never interrupted.
Paperwork
Documents Required for AGMARK Certification
- Business registration proof Incorporation Certificate, Partnership Deed or GST Certificate
- Factory/unit layout map and list of processing machinery
- Laboratory test report from a DMI-recognised or approved lab
- Declaration of compliance with the relevant AGMARK grade standard
- PAN card of the applicant business and authorised signatory
- Trademark registration certificate (where a brand mark is used)
- Product and packaging/labelling details for the commodity applied for
- Application fee paid online via the AQCMS payment gateway
Why Businesses Choose SSA Tax Over Other Consultants
Most consultants stop at paperwork. We stay involved from your first AQCMS login to your next renewal here's exactly what sets us apart.
Hands-on AQCMS Filing Experience
We file directly on the DMI's AQCMS portal ourselves, instead of outsourcing your case to a junior team learning the system on your file.
One Transparent Quote
Professional fee, government fee and lab charges are itemised upfront no surprise add-ons after you've already paid.
Pan-India Lab Coordination
We route your sample to the right Regional Agmark Laboratory for your commodity and region, avoiding unnecessary retesting delays.
One Dedicated Point of Contact
A single compliance manager owns your file end-to-end you're never repeating your story to a new person each call.
Free Lifetime Renewal Reminders
We track your certificate validity and surveillance audit schedule, so renewals never lapse and never surprise you.
Proven at Scale
1.03 Lakh+ clients, 18,000+ startups served and 5,752+ five-star Google reviews back our process not just our promises.
Frequently Asked