Introduction
  • The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025 in Udaipur.
  • This launch took place during the 75th anniversary of National Sample Survey (NSS) and World Statistics Day 2025.

WHAT IS NIC?

  • NIC stands for National Industrial Classification.
  • It is used to categorize all economic activities in India
  • It helps in:
    • Statistical surveys
    • Census reporting
  • Economic research
  • Government policy making
EVOLUTION OF NIC IN INDIA India first introduced NIC in 1962. It has been updated several times to match changing economic activities.
Year Version
1962 First classification
1970 NIC 1970
1987 NIC 1987
1990 NIC 1990
1998 NIC 1998
2004 NIC 2004
2008 NIC 2008
2025 Latest – NIC 2025
WHY WAS NIC UPDATED IN 2025? NIC 2025 reflects modern economic changes in India, such as:
  • Growth of renewable energy
  • Expansion of fintech and e-commerce
  • Rise of digital platforms and cloud services
  • Recognition of Ayush healthcare and handloom sectors
It aims to show today’s economy better, which is more digital, innovative, and technology-based.

ALIGNED WITH GLOBAL STANDARDS

  • NIC 2025 is aligned with ISIC Revision 5 (International Standard Industrial Classification), which is developed by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD).
  • The revision was guided by an Expert Committee, with help from ministries, states, departments, and industry experts.

KEY CHANGES

  • NIC 2025 introduces a 6-digit coding structure, replacing the 5-digit format of NIC 2008.
  • This allows more detailed and specific classification of economic activities.

2008 NIC V/S 2025 NIC

Level NIC 2008 NIC 2025
Sections (Alphabetic) 21 (A to U) 22 (A to V)
Divisions (2-digit) 88 87
Groups (3-digit) 238 257
Class (4-digit) 403 463
Sub-class 1304 1887

IMPORTANT FEATURES OF NIC 2025

1. Better Classification of Intermediation Services Covers growing areas like logistics, retail, power, healthcare, education, real estate, and food services. 2. Environmental and Green Economy Coverage Includes new areas like carbon capture, waste management, and environmental clean-up activities. 3. Digital Economy Representation Includes cloud computing, blockchain, platform-based services, AI, and web search portals. 4. Technology Neutral It does not separate activities based on old or new technology. Example: Handloom and machine-based textile work fall under the same activity type. WHY IS NIC 2025 IMPORTANT? NIC 2025 will help in:
  • Better planning of economic policies
  • Accurate data collection for national accounts
  • Support to researchers, economists, and planners
  • Better comparison of economic activities across regions and sectors
  • Strengthening evidence-based policymaking
It will now serve as the standard framework for all official statistics, surveys, and administrative datasets in India.