New Delhi — The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on Tuesday released the National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025 during the culmination ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the National Sample Survey (NSS) and World Statistics Day 2025. The updated classification, launched at an event in Udaipur, marks the latest revision of India’s standard framework used for classifying economic activities.
The NIC is a foundational tool used in statistical surveys, censuses, economic research and policymaking. India introduced its first industrial classification system in 1962 and has updated it periodically to reflect economic changes, leading to earlier versions such as NIC 1970, 1987, 1990, 1998, 2004 and 2008. The newly released NIC 2025 incorporates sweeping changes designed to capture the evolving structure of the Indian economy, including rapid technological advancement, digital transformation and the rise of new sectors.
Officials said the updated framework reflects major shifts in areas such as renewable energy, fintech, e-commerce, digital intermediation and modern logistics, while also giving due recognition to indigenous sectors including Ayush-based healthcare and the handloom industry. Prepared in alignment with the UN’s International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Revision 5, the new classification was developed by MoSPI under the guidance of the Expert Committee for Revision of Economic Classifications, with wide consultation involving ministries, departments, states, industries and academic institutions.
One of the significant changes in NIC 2025 is the introduction of a 6-digit coding structure, replacing the 5-digit structure of NIC 2008, allowing greater granularity and the ability to better capture emerging economic activities. The new classification expands the number of groups, classes and subclasses, offering a more detailed representation of India’s economic landscape. NIC 2025 now comprises 22 sections, 87 divisions, 257 groups, 463 classes and 1,887 subclasses—substantially higher than the earlier system.
The revised classification introduces enhanced coverage of intermediation services across sectors such as energy, retail, logistics, healthcare, education, real estate and food services. It also strengthens the representation of environmental and green economy activities, including carbon capture, waste management and environmental remediation, with clearer alignment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). The digital economy also features more prominently, with distinct classification of cloud services, blockchain, platform-based activities and web search portals. MoSPI clarified that the system is technology-agnostic, with distinctions between traditional and modern production methods avoided unless required for statistical clarity.
According to the Ministry, NIC 2025 will enhance the quality of economic data, support evidence-based policymaking and improve the coherence of national statistical systems. It will serve as the standard reference for statistical surveys, administrative databases, national accounts and all official economic reporting going forward. The complete NIC 2025 document has been made available on the MoSPI website.
