NIC code list for businesses to register as MSMEs (2024)

NIC code full form expands to National Industrial Classification 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 sub sector 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 a MSME business, knowing the list of NIC code is important, especially for manufacturing, for services, and for trading as it is required for registration on Udyam portal.

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

What is a NIC code?

The full form of NIC code is National Industrial Classification code. It is a classification system to classify businesses based on their business activities.

Since 2014, NIC 2008 code is in use (from the previous NIC 1987 version) and all businesses in India are classified according to NIC code 2008 categorisation. It facilitates compliance and is used in during business registration processes on udyam portal.

The government labels the NIC code as a statistical standard for developing and maintaining comparable database 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.

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 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 to the changing business and economic environment. The latest amendments to the classification system that is in use is NIC code 2008.

*Image for representation only. Not actual.

What is 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 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’

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

For Trading:

For Manufacturing:

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 that is necessary for registering your MSME online. The below list will help you categorise your business according to list of codes.

Given below are the sections assigned to each industry:

What is NIC 4 digit?

As explained in the previous section, NIC code 2008 is a 5 digit code, where the first 2 digits refer to the Division, the first 3 digits refer to the Group, and the first 4 digits refer to the Class of 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

How do I find my NIC code?

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 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.

NIC code list for 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 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

NIC code for Manufacturing sector

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

Section C: Manufacturing sector

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

NIC code for 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.

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.

What is the NIC code for trading?

Retail and wholesale trading was added to the list of MSME businesses in 2021. This meant that retail and wholesale traders could now register on the Udyam portal as a MSME 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

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 of 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)