The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) unveiled the new National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025 on Tuesday at the culmination ceremony of the 75th anniversary of the National Sample Survey Office (NSS) and World Statistics Day in Udaipur.
The classification system, first introduced in 1962 and subsequently updated in 1970, 1987, 1990, 1998, 2004 and 2008, has now been overhauled to reflect the changing economic landscape of India.
The NIC 2025 introduces a six-digit code structure (replacing the previous five-digit format) with the aim of offering finer granularity and more flexible classification of economic activities.
The update aligns with the United Nations’ International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Revision 5 and draws upon extensive stakeholder consultation involving ministries, states, industry experts and academia.
One of the major changes is the explicit inclusion of segments such as cloud infrastructure, blockchain, platform-based services, renewable energy, waste-management and AYUSH-based health services, recognising the growth of digital, green and indigenous economy segments.
By introducing new classes in sectors such as intermediation services (retail, logistics, real estate, food services) and environmental remediation, MoSPI is attempting to mirror current structures of production and consumption more closely.
MoSPI’s statement notes that NIC 2025 will now become the standard classification framework for all statistical surveys, administrative datasets, national accounts and official statistics in India — meaning that future economic data, national accounting and policy design will reference this document.
For researchers, policymakers and analysts this means a shift in how sectors are defined and compared over time — the move toward finer codes may aid precision but will also require adjustment of time-series and historical comparability of data. As India pursues ambitious growth in digital services, green sectors and new business models, NIC 2025 may act as a foundational tool to map these evolving activities within the statistical landscape.
