This invention provides an improved process for the fabrication of a planar anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) of dimension up to 10 cm x 10 cm x 1.5 mm that comprises a novel Ni-YSZ functional cermet anode wherein the functionality in the anode is achieved through a uniform coating of discrete Ni particles over YSZ that leads to improved electrocatalytic reaction at the anode-electrolyte interface and hence, improved performance in the resultant cells having such functional anode which is well bonded to a 10 - 15 µm thin and gas-tight YSZ electrolyte layer that, in turn, has successive adherent layers of semi-porous LSM-YSZ cathode (8-15 µm) and porous LSM cathode current collector (40 - 70 µm) on top.