MoSPI releases National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025, introduces modernised 6-digit coding for India’s evolving economy
The NIC is a foundational statistical tool used across surveys, censuses, economic research and policymaking.
Udaipur, November 20: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025, the country’s updated standard framework for classifying economic activities. The release took place during the culmination ceremony of the 75th anniversary of the National Sample Survey (NSS) and World Statistics Day 2025 in Udaipur this week.
The NIC is a foundational statistical tool used across surveys, censuses, economic research and policymaking. India’s industrial classification system—first introduced in 1962—has undergone several revisions over the decades. NIC 2025 is the latest update after NIC 2008, capturing India’s fast-transforming economic landscape driven by technological progress, new-age sectors and emerging business models.
MoSPI said NIC 2025 reflects major structural and technological shifts, including rapid growth in renewable energy, fintech, e-commerce, digital intermediation and environmental services. It also includes improved categorisation of indigenous sectors such as Ayush-based healthcare and handloom industries.
Prepared in alignment with the UN’s International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Revision 5, NIC 2025 was developed under the Expert Committee for Revision of Economic Classifications (ECREC) with extensive consultations across ministries, states, industry bodies and academia.
Key structural updates
NIC 2025 introduces a new 6-digit coding structure, replacing the earlier 5-digit format to allow greater granularity and better representation of emerging activities. Notable changes include:
– 22 sections (A to V), up from 21
– 257 groups vs 238 earlier
– 463 four-digit classes, up from 403
– 1,887 subclasses, representing a significant expansion from 1,304 under NIC 2008
Key features of NIC 2025
– Enhanced classification of intermediation services across power, retail, logistics, education, healthcare, real estate and food services
– Wider coverage of green economy sectors such as carbon capture, waste management and environmental remediation
– Comprehensive representation of digital-economy activities including cloud infrastructure, blockchain, platform services and web search portals
– Technology-agnostic classification to ensure comparability regardless of production method
MoSPI said NIC 2025 will strengthen evidence-based policymaking, improve sector-wise economic analysis and bring greater consistency and comparability to India’s statistical systems. It will now serve as the standard reference for all future statistical surveys, administrative datasets and national accounts. The complete classification is available on the MoSPI website.
