National Industrial Classification, NIC code, is a unique classification code – an 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 subsector your company belongs to. It’s a unique 5-digit code that represents the sector and sub-sector based on business activity.

Currently, the NIC code list contains 21 main sections or business activities (A to U), with 99 divisions and subsequent groups. For an MSME business, knowing the list of NIC codes is important, especially for manufacturing, for services, and for trading, as it is required for registration on the Udyam portal.

Let’s take a closer look at the NIC codes and details pertaining to it.

Introduction to NIC code

The National Industrial Classification (NIC) Code is a classification system created by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to classify business activities in India. The NIC code is used on several government portals such as the Udyam registration portal, GeM (Government eMarketplace), eProcure, and for PM Gati Shakti approvals.

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

Read this file: NIC code for MSME Classification (PDF to download)

Brief history

The first attempt to classify industries was in 1962 and was called the 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.

Similar to the revisions made to the MSME classification in India (composite classification based on annual turnover and investment in plant and machinery), the NIC has had multiple revisions since then to keep it aligned with the changing business and economic environment. The latest amendments to the classification system that is in use are the NIC code 2008.

  *Image for representation only. Not actual.

What is a 4-digit NIC?

A 4-digit NIC code is an element of India’s classification system that provides greater detail about your business activity. If the 2-digit code identifies the sector at a high level (like manufacturing or retail), the level of detail required is within that sector, and then the 4-digit NIC code tells the exact detail, e.g., the code “1311” for spinning of textile fibres. It provides government portals like Udyam, GeM, and TReDS with the specific details of your business activity.

NIC 4-digit code example

Division 13, Group 131 – Spinning, weaving, and finishing of textiles

• 1311: Preparation and spinning of textile fibres
• 1312: Weaving of textiles
• 1313: Finishing of textiles

NIC code list: Sections under NIC code 2008

What is the NIC code 2008?

Under the new NIC 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 (21 sections)
• Sections are divided into ‘Divisions’ with a 2-digit numeric code
• Divisions are further categorised into a ‘Group’ with a 3-digit numeric code
• Groups are divided into a ‘Class’ with a 4-digit numeric code, and every 4-digit class into a 5-digit ‘Sub-class’

Let’s take a look at examples of NIC code for trading and for manufacturing to understand the concept clearly.

For Trading:

Level	Description
Section G	Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
Division 45	Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
Group 451	Sale of motor vehicles
Class 4510	Sale of motor vehicles
Sub-class 45101	Wholesale and retail sale of new vehicles
Sub-class 45102	Wholesale and retail sale of used motor vehicles

For Manufacturing:

	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

NIC code list

A detailed NIC Code list is given on the Udyam registration portal. From the portal, you can find it for Udyam registration, which is necessary for registering your MSME online. The list below will help you categorise your business according to the list of codes.

Given below are the sections assigned to each industry:

Sections as per the NIC code	Industries
A	Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
B	Mining and quarrying
C	Manufacturing
D	Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply
E	Water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities
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 defense; 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 their use
U	Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies

Note: This classification is for reference only. Before submission, please verify the applicable NIC section on the official Udyam Registration Portal.

How do I find my NIC code for Udyam Registration?

The 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.  

If you want to do a NIC code search for Udyam registration or any other, you can visit the Udyam portal (udyamregistration.gov.in/) for the list. Follow the steps below:

• Visit the official Udyam registration portal: udyamregistration.gov.in/Government-India/Ministry-MSME-registration.htm
• Click on ‘NIC Code’ on the main menu bar: udyamregistration.gov.in/docs/NIC-code-for-MSME-classification-definition.pdf
• View the NIC Code list PDF in a new window.
• Scroll the PDF file to the relevant section or do a NIC code search manually.

 

NIC code for MSME Registration

Considering that MSME registration is open to businesses in the manufacturing and services sector, retail and wholesale trade, the NIC code list helps to classify the businesses based on their activity into appropriate categories.

List of Common NIC Codes for MSMEs (Updated July 2025)

Here are the frequently used NIC codes by Indian MSMEs:

Business Activity	NIC Code
Manufacturing of TMT Bars	24105
Retail Trade (Non-Specialised Stores)	47190
Custom Software Development (SaaS)	62011
Green Hydrogen Energy Services	35107
EV Charging Station Setup	35104
Online Retail (ONDC Seller)	47912
Drone Manufacturing	30305
Logistics Warehousing	52101

Note: The above-mentioned NIC codes are for information purposes only. Business owners should check the latest applicable NIC codes on the Udyam Registration Portal or the MoSPI site before submitting.

NIC code list for the Services Sector

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 62,0, and Class 6201. Class 6201 is subdivided into three sub-classes. 

• 62011: Writing, modifying, and testing of a 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

NIC code list for the Manufacturing Sector

Section C of the NIC code list 2008 is dedicated to the manufacturing sector. Listed below is the list of NIC codes for manufacturing for your reference:

Section C: Manufacturing sector

Division		NIC code
Division 10	Manufacture of food products	10101 to 10809
Division 11	Manufacture of beverages	11011 to 11049
Division 12	Manufacture of tobacco products	12001 to 12009
Division 13	Manufacture of textiles	13111 to 13999
Division 14	Manufacture of wearing apparel	14101 to 14309
Division 15	Manufacture of leather and related products	15111 to 15209
Division 16	Manufacture of wood and products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials	16101 to 16299
Division 17	Manufacture of paper and paper products	17011 to 17099
Division 18	Printing and reproduction of recorded media (This Division excludes publishing activities, see Section J for publishing activities)	181111 to 18200
Division 19	Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products	19101 to 19209
Division 20	Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products	20111 to 20304
Division 21	Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemicals, and botanical products	21001 to 21009
Division 22	Manufacture of rubber and plastic products	22111 to 22209
Division 23	Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products	23101 to 23999
Division 24	Manufacture of basic metals	24101 to 24320
Division 25	Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment	25111 to 25999
Division 26	Manufacture of computer, electronic, and optical products	26101 to 26800
Division 27	Manufacture of electrical equipment	27101 to 27900
Division 28	Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c	28110 to 28299
Division 29	Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers	29101 to 29304
Division 30	Manufacture of other transport equipment	30111 to 30999
Division 31	Manufacture of furniture	31001 to 31009
Division 32	Other manufacturing	32111 to 32909
Division 33	Repair and installation of machinery and equipment	33111 to 33200

*Source: View entire list at the official Udyam portal –  (udyamregistration.gov.in/docs/NIC-code-for-MSME-classification-definition.pdf)

NIC code list for the Retail shops

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 sales in non-specialized stores with food, beverages, or tobacco  predominating
	4719 – Other retail sales in non-specialised stores
	4721 – Retail sale of food, beverages, and tobacco in specialised stores	47190	Other retail sales 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 sweetmeats
		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 above–mentioned classifications 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 official portal. 

NIC code list for the Traders

Retail and wholesale trading were added to the list of MSME businesses in 2021. This meant that retail and wholesale traders could now register on the Udyam portal as MSMEs and be able to benefit from priority sector lending as per RBI guidelines. As such, when a retail or wholesale trader registers on the Udyam portal, they will need to provide this code too.

Section G: Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles

Division		NIC code
Division 45	Wholesale and Retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles	45101 to 45403
Division 46	Wholesale trade, except for motor vehicles and motorcycles	46101 to 46909
Division 47	Retail trade, except for motor vehicles and motorcycles	47110 to 47990

*Source: Udyam portal website

NIC code 47300: Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores (includes the activity of petrol filling stations)

It is a part of Section G of the NIC code list, Division 47:

• Section G: Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles
• Division 47: Retail trade, except for motor vehicles and motorcycles
• Group 474
• Class 4730
• Sub-class 47300: Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores (includes the activity of petrol filling stations)

How to Use the Correct NIC Code on Udyam Portal

By choosing the right NIC code, you can properly represent your business. If you choose the wrong or unrelated NIC code, it can:

• Limit eligibility for MSME schemes and tenders in eProcure or GeM
• Negatively impact how you access finance using TReDS
• Cause registration delay for PM Gati Shakti (especially for transport/logistics businesses)

To will help ensure you are accurate:

• Match your own core business to the NIC Code
• Historical cross-reference recent NIC code updates about your sector
• Go back to update your Udyam registration if your business grows or changes

Latest Updates in NIC Code Usage for MSMEs (2025)

In 2025, several government modifications and updates have allowed increased usage and integration of NIC codes nationally. These adjustments affect MSMEs registering under Udyam and utilizing public procurement, lending schemes, and infrastructure projects.

GeM, TReDS, and PM Gati Shakti NIC Code Assessment

• For any new businesses registered on the GeM portal or those signing up for TReDS (i.e., Trade Receivables Discounting System), businesses will need to ensure that the NIC codes they are using will exactly match their Udyam Registration as related to the business checking accountability. If businesses have discrepancies in their NIC codes, this may lead to rejection of bids or disqualification from payments.
• Furthermore, for logistics and infrastructure, MSMEs with PM Gati Shakti approvals will also ensure that they have correctly classified transport, storage, or classification NIC codes. 

Integration with Digital Public Infrastructure

• Since April of 2025, NIC codes have been integrated into various other Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) platforms, including ONDC, Account Aggregator, and Udyam Assist platforms. This allows for immediate eligibility verifications for research or eligibility under any MSME scheme, as well as digital lending.

New NIC Codes Have Been Announced

• MoSPI has announced new NIC codes classifications for new evolving sectors with new sub-classes of industries, such as:

NIC Code	Industries
36103	Manufacturing of Sustainable Packaging and Compostable Materials
35108	Energy Storage solutions (battery and hydrogen storage)
47913	Retail Platforms based on ONDC aggregating

• MSMEs who fall within these industries are encouraged to classify themselves under these now updated codes on the Udyam portal, as per the updated classification system, to ensure they are compliant/eligible for the Udyam MSME scheme.

Can I update my NIC code after Udyam Registration?

Yes, you can update your NIC code by revisiting the Udyam portal and editing your registration using your Udyam number and registered mobile number.

Does a wrong NIC code affect MSME scheme eligibility?

Yes, an incorrect NIC code may lead to rejection of benefits or disqualification from government schemes and tenders.

Is the NIC code the same for GST and Udyam?

Not necessarily. GST uses HSN codes for goods and SAC codes for services, while Udyam uses NIC codes based on business activity classification.

How many NIC codes can I add in Udyam Registration?

You can add multiple NIC codes, including one primary and several secondary codes, depending on the nature of your business.

Can traders register under Udyam using NIC codes?

Yes, traders can register using NIC codes under the 'G' section, which covers wholesale and retail trade activities.

Where can I find the latest NIC code list?

The official Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) website provides the most recent NIC code classification.

Is the NIC code mandatory for TReDS onboarding?

Yes, a valid and matching NIC code is required for businesses registering on TReDS platforms for invoice financing.

How is the NIC code different from the HSN code?

NIC codes classify businesses by type of activity, while HSN codes classify goods for taxation under GST.

Do freelancers need NIC codes for Udyam?

Yes, if freelancers wish to register as MSMEs, they must choose an appropriate NIC code under services or professional activities.

Can a mismatch in the NIC code cause loan application rejection?

Yes, financial institutions may reject MSME loan applications if the NIC code does not align with business documents.