NIC is a hierarchical classification system that identifies businesses according to their economic activity. Under NIC-2008, the classification progresses from a 2-digit Division to a 3-digit Group, 4-digit Class, and 5-digit Sub-class. For Udyam Registration, business activities are commonly identified using the detailed 5-digit NIC Sub-class.

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.

NIC Code Structure: 2-Digit to 5-Digit Classification

In simple terms: the NIC-2008 classification becomes more specific as the number of digits increases – from the 2-digit Division to the 5-digit Sub-class. For Udyam Registration, the 5-digit Sub-class provides the detailed description of the business activity.

NIC code list: Sections under NIC code 2008

What is NIC-2008?

NIC-2008 (National Industrial Classification 2008) is India’s classification system for organising economic activities into a structured hierarchy. It groups business activities into sections, divisions, groups, classes and sub-classes, with each level providing greater detail about the nature of the activity.

• Activities are first grouped into Sections, alphabetically coded from A to U, covering 21 broad categories.
• Sections are divided into Divisions, identified by a 2-digit numeric code.
• Divisions are further categorised into Groups, identified by a 3-digit numeric code.
• Groups are divided into Classes, identified by a 4-digit numeric code.
• Each 4-digit class is further divided into a 5-digit Sub-class, providing more specific activity details.

Let’s look at NIC code examples for trading and manufacturing to understand how this classification works.

NIC code example for trading

For Manufacturing:

NIC code list

The NIC-2008 code list classifies businesses and economic activities into different industry sections. You can use the National Industrial Classification (NIC) code to identify the activity that best matches your business when completing Udyam Registration. The official Udyam portal records the National Industry Classification Code(s) for registered enterprises.

The table below lists the 21 NIC-2008 sections, from A to U, and the industries covered under each section. NIC-2008 follows a hierarchy of Section → Division → Group → Class → Sub-class.

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 identifies the nature of your business activity. You need to select the relevant business activity or activities while completing your Udyam Registration. The Udyam portal allows an enterprise to specify or add multiple activities, including manufacturing or services.

If you want to do a NIC code search for Udyam Registration, you can use the official MoSPI NIC Code Search tool to find the code that matches your business activity. The tool currently supports searches under both NIC-2008 and NIC-2025.

Follow these steps

1. Visit the official MoSPI NIC Code Search tool.
2. Enter a description of your business activity in the search box.
3. Select NIC-2008 or NIC-2025, depending on the classification relevant to your requirement.
4. Review the suggested classifications and identify the NIC code that most closely matches your actual business activity.
5. Use the applicable NIC code when completing your Udyam Registration on the official Udyam portal.

You can also verify the NIC code recorded against an existing Udyam Registration certificate, where the enterprise details include National Industry Classification Code(s).

Important: Do not select an NIC code solely because it appears similar to your business name. Choose the code that best describes your actual business activity. If your enterprise carries out multiple activities, the Udyam portal allows multiple activities to be specified or added in one registration.

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 (2026)

Here are some commonly searched NIC-2008 codes for Indian MSMEs. The appropriate NIC code depends on the actual business activity carried out by the enterprise, so the examples below should not be treated as a universal code for every business in that category.

For example, NIC 24105 covers the manufacture of hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel products; it should not be described as a TMT-bar-specific code. NIC 62011 covers writing, modifying and testing computer programmes for a particular client, excluding web-page designing. NIC 47912 covers retail sale via e-commerce, while NIC 52101 covers refrigerated warehousing or cold storage.

Note: These are NIC-2008 reference codes. NIC codes should be selected based on the actual activity of the enterprise. Before submitting an Udyam Registration application, verify the applicable code using the official MoSPI NIC Code Search tool, which currently supports both NIC-2008 and NIC-2025.

NIC code list for the Services Sector

Have a look at the NIC code list for services covering activities such as computer programming, software development, web-page designing, and software support.

Under NIC-2008, computer programming, consultancy, and related activities are covered under Section J – Information and communication, Division 62 – Computer programming, consultancy and related activities, Group 620 – Computer programming, consultancy and related activities, and Class 6201 – Computer programming activities.

Class 6201 is divided into the following three 5-digit sub-classes:

• 62011: Writing, modifying, testing, and supporting of software to meet the needs of a particular client, excluding web-page designing
• 62012: Web-page designing
• 62013: Providing software support and maintenance to the clients

NIC code list for the Manufacturing Sector

Section C of NIC-2008 covers the manufacturing sector in India. It includes activities ranging from food and textile manufacturing to steel, fabricated metal products, machinery, electrical equipment, automobiles, and furniture. For businesses looking for a NIC code for manufacturing or Udyam Registration, the relevant code is selected according to the specific manufacturing activity carried out by the enterprise.

The NIC-2008 manufacturing sector covers Divisions 10 to 33, as shown below:

Section C: Manufacturing

This structure is from NIC-2008, which has 21 sections, 88 divisions, 238 groups, 403 classes and 1,304 sub-classes.

For readers looking for a specific NIC code for manufacturing, the official MoSPI NIC Code Search tool now supports NIC-2008 and NIC-2025 and allows business activities to be searched using natural-language descriptions.

Note: The table above is specifically a NIC-2008 manufacturing sector list. For Udyam Registration or any current application, verify the applicable classification and code using the official NIC search tool before submission.

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

NIC code list for Retail shops

Retail trade, except the trade of motor vehicles and motorcycles, falls under Section G, Division 47 of NIC-2008. Division 47 covers the retail sale of goods to the general public through shops, department stores, stalls, markets, mail-order businesses and other retail channels.

For businesses looking for a NIC code for retail shops or Udyam Registration, the relevant code depends on the type of retail activity and products sold.

The above are only some examples of NIC codes for retail businesses. NIC-2008 Division 47 contains additional groups covering automotive fuel, information and communication equipment, household goods, cultural and recreation goods, clothing, footwear, pharmaceutical and medical goods, second-hand goods, retail sales via stalls and markets, and other non-store retail activities.

Note: The codes above are NIC-2008 codes. For Udyam Registration, select the NIC code that best matches the actual activity of the enterprise and verify the applicable code before submitting the registration.

NIC code list for the Traders

Retail and wholesale traders have been allowed to register on the Udyam Registration Portal as MSMEs for the limited purpose of Priority Sector Lending (PSL) since July 2021. The provision covers eligible wholesale and retail trade activities under NIC-2008 Divisions 45, 46 and 47.

Therefore, when an eligible retail or wholesale trader registers on the Udyam portal, the applicable NIC code for the trading activity must be provided.

NIC codes for wholesale and retail traders

Section G: Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

These divisions contain further groups, classes and 5-digit sub-classes covering specific trading activities.

NIC code 47300: Retail sale of automotive fuel

NIC 47300 covers retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores, including the activity of petrol filling stations.

Its NIC-2008 hierarchy is:

• Section G: Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
• Division 47: Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles.
• Group 473: Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores
• Class 4730: Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores
• Sub-class 47300: Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores

The original version had Group 474, which was incorrect. Group 474 covers retail sale of information and communications equipment in specialised stores.

2026 note: The above codes are NIC-2008 codes. MoSPI has since introduced NIC-2025. For a new application or verification, readers should check the applicable classification using the official NIC Code Search tool. The Udyam portal also continues to recognise eligible retail and wholesale traders for the limited purpose of PSL.

How to Use the Correct NIC Code on Udyam Portal

By choosing the right NIC code for Udyam Registration, you can accurately represent your business activity. If you choose an incorrect or unrelated NIC code, it can:

• Create issues when establishing eligibility for certain MSME schemes, tenders or procurement opportunities, where business activity classification may be relevant.
• Affect how your business activity is represented in records used for MSME finance and platforms such as TReDS.
• Create classification issues when applying for schemes, registrations, or other government programmes where the nature of business is relevant.

To help ensure you are accurate:

• Match your actual business activity to the most appropriate NIC code
• Check the latest NIC classification and code applicable to your activity, particularly where NIC-2008 and NIC-2025 may differ.
• Go back and update your Udyam Registration details if your business activities change or expand, so that your registration reflects your current activities.

2026 update: NIC-2008 remains relevant to Udyam-related classification, while MoSPI has also introduced NIC-2025. Therefore, do not assume that every older NIC-2008 code is the applicable classification for every current purpose. Verify the relevant code before submitting or updating your registration.

Latest Updates in NIC Code Usage for MSMEs (2026)

In 2026, important developments in India’s business classification system have affected how NIC codes are used by MSMEs. These include the introduction of NIC-2025 by MoSPI and continued use of NIC codes in Udyam Registration and other government systems.

GeM, TReDS, and PM Gati Shakti NIC Code Assessment

• Businesses registering on the GeM portal or using TReDS should ensure that their business activity and registration details are accurate and consistent. However, there is no general rule that an NIC code must exactly match across GeM and TReDS or that a discrepancy automatically leads to bid rejection or payment disqualification.
• For logistics and infrastructure businesses, accurate classification of activities such as transportation, warehousing, and storage remains important where a particular government scheme, registration, or procurement process requires business activity details.

Integration with Digital Public Infrastructure

• NIC codes are used to classify business activities in government and digital systems, including Udyam Registration. However, there is no general 2026 rule stating that NIC codes were integrated across ONDC, Account Aggregator and Udyam Assist from April 2025 for automatic MSME eligibility verification.
• Businesses should therefore check the specific eligibility and registration requirements of each platform or MSME scheme rather than assuming that an NIC code automatically establishes eligibility for financing, procurement, or government benefits.

New NIC Classification Introduced

• MoSPI released the National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025 in November 2025, introducing a revised classification of economic activities. NIC-2025 has a new structure with 22 sections, 87 divisions, 258 groups, 463 classes and 1,887 six-digit sub-classes.
• MSMEs should not automatically replace an existing NIC-2008 code with a NIC-2025 code. The applicable classification depends on the specific registration, reporting or government process. Businesses should verify the relevant code using the official MoSPI NIC Code Search tool before updating their records.

FAQS