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NIC code or the National Industrial Classification code is a unique identification number given to different industries present in the country. This number determines the type of business you own including the main sector and the sub sector your company belongs to.  

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The government labels the NIC code as a statistical standard for developing and maintaining comparable data base according to economic activities. It is used to classify economically active population, statistics of industrial production and distribution, the different fields of labour statistics and other economic data such as national income. 

The first attempt to classify industries was in 1962 and was called Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). The SIC was a 4-digit classification and consisted of 9 divisions, 55 major groups, 284 groups and 753 sub-groups. The significant changes in the organisation and structure of the industries called for the revision of SIC in 1962. The revised classification called National Industrial Classification (NIC) was completed in 1970.  

Like the revisions made to MSME classification, the NIC has had multiple revisions since then to keep it aligned to the changing business and economic environment. The latest amendments to the classification system were made during 2008.  

NIC Code 2008 

Under the new code all activities are grouped into several ‘activity groups’ or ‘tabulation categories’ in a hierarchical manner.  

  • Activities are first grouped into a ‘section’ alphabetically coded from A through U  
  • Sections are divided into ‘divisions’ with 2-digit numeric code  
  • Divisions are further categorised into a ‘group’ with 3-digit numeric code  
  • Groups are divided into a ‘class’ with 4-digit numeric code and every 4-digit class into 5-digit ‘sub-class’ 
  • The five-digit sub class that identifies your business activity is your NIC code 

Here is an example for better understanding:  

Level  Description 
Section C  Manufacturing 
Division 13  Manufacture of textiles 
Group 131  Spinning, weaving and finishing of textiles 
Class 1311  Preparation and spinning of textile fibres 
Sub-Class 13111  Preparation and spinning of cotton fibre including blended cotton 

Sections under NIC Code

A detailed NIC Code list is given on the Udyam registration portal. From the portal you can find the NIC code list for Udyam registration that is necessary for filling your Udyam registration form. The Udyam NIC code list will help you categorise your business according to list of codes.

Given below are the sections assigned to each industry as per the NIC code for Udyam registration:

Sections as per NIC code Industries
A Agriculture, forestry and fishing
B Mining and quarrying
C Manufacturing
D Electricity, gas, steam and air condition supply
E Water supply, sewerage, waste management
F Construction
G Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
H Transport and storage
I Accommodation and food service activities
J Information and communication
K Financial and insurance activities
L Real estate activities
M Professional, scientific and technical activities
N Administrative and support service activities
O Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
P Education
Q Human health and social work activities
R Arts, entertainment and recreation
S Other service activities
T Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods and services-producing activities of households for own use
U Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies

 

How do I find my NIC code for MSME/Udyam registration? 

NIC codes are used in MSME registration, Udyam registration, Udyog Aadhaar registration and company registration/ LLP registration. NIC code for Udyam registration will be asked while filling in the registration form of your company and will help the government determine the nature of your business.  

Before applying for any of the registrations mentioned above, you need to know your NIC code. If you are looking for the MSME NIC code list, you can head over to Udyam portal and download the complete list of NIC code for MSMEs. 

How to find NIC Code 

Examples for NIC Code

Given below are a few examples of NIC code classifications: 

1. NIC code list for services 

Have a look at the NIC code list for services like computer programming, consultancy and related activities. 

Computer programming, consultancy and related activities are included in Section J, Division 62, Group 620 and Class 6201. Class 6201 is subdivided into three sub classes. 

  • 62011 – Writing, modifying, testing of computer program to meet the needs of a particular client excluding webpage designing 
  • 62012 – Webpage designing 
  • 62013 – Providing software support and maintenance to the clients

2. NIC code for retail shops 

This is the NIC code for retail shops for Udyam/MSME registration: 

Retail trade except for the trade of motor vehicles and motorcycles comes under Section G, Division 47, Group 471. Group 471 branches into multiple classes. 

Group   Class  Subclass  Description 
471  4711 – Retail sale in non-specialised stores  47110  Retail sale in non-specialized stores with food, beverages or tobacco 

predominating 

  4719 – Other retail sale in non-specialised stores     
  4721 – Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores  47190  Other retail sale in non-specialised stores 
    47211  Retail sale of cereals and pulses, tea, coffee, spices and flour 
    47212  Retail sale of fresh or preserved fruit and vegetables 
    47213  Retail sale of meat, meat products, poultry products, fish, other seafood and 

products thereof 

    47214  Retail sale of bakery products, dairy products and eggs 
    47215  Retail sale of sugar confectionery and sweetmeat 
    47219  Retail sale of other food products n.e.c. 
  4722 – Retail sale of beverages in specialised stores  47221  Retail sale of alcoholic beverages not consumed on the spot 
    47222  Retail sale of non-alcoholic beverages including ice cream not for 

consumption on the premises 

The abovementioned classifications of both NIC code for trading and computer consultancy activities are just a few sub classes. There are many more classes and sub classes. To get a full list of NIC codes for services and other NIC codes for MSMEs please visit the Udyam portal