What is a NIC code?
The National Industrial Classification (NIC) code is a 5-digit number that identifies the kind of economic activity a business is engaged in. NIC was developed by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MOSPI), Government of India, and is harmonised with the United Nations' International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC).
NIC 2008 — the version used by the Udyam Registration portal — has a five-level hierarchy:
- Section (1 letter, A–U): the broadest grouping like "Manufacturing" or "Construction" (21 sections)
- Division (2 digits): industry families like "Manufacture of textiles" (88 divisions)
- Group (3 digits): a narrower industry segment (238 groups)
- Class (4 digits): a more specific activity (403 classes)
- Sub-class (5 digits): the finest level — this is what Udyam Registration asks for (1,304 sub-classes officially)
Why is the right NIC code important?
The NIC code you select on the Udyam portal:
- Determines which government schemes and subsidies your business is eligible for
- Decides whether your business needs additional licences or compliances (e.g., factory licence, FSSAI, drug licence)
- Affects how your enterprise is classified for statistical, tax and tender purposes
- Helps banks evaluate your loan profile against MSME schemes like CGTMSE and PMEGP
Picking an inaccurate NIC code can disqualify you from sector-specific benefits or trigger reclassification later. Use this finder to make sure you select the most accurate sub-class for each of your business activities.
Can I add multiple NIC codes?
Yes. The Udyam portal lets you add multiple NIC codes — one primary activity (your main revenue source) and any number of secondary activities. If your business does both manufacturing and trading, for example, you'd add an NIC code for each. We recommend listing the activity with the highest turnover share as primary.
How to use this NIC Code Finder
- Search: Type a keyword like "tailor", "biscuits", "consulting", or even a partial 5-digit code. Results are ranked by relevance.
- Browse: Click any of the 21 sector cards below to drill down by group and class.
- Quick filters: Use the chips above the search bar to jump straight to popular sectors.
- Copy: Hit the "Copy" button next to any code to copy the 5-digit number to your clipboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a NIC code?
NIC (National Industrial Classification) is a 5-digit code issued by India's Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MOSPI) to classify business activities. The Udyam Registration portal requires you to select the correct NIC 2008 sub-class code for each of your business activities.
How do I find the right NIC code for my business?
Use the search box above. Type your business activity (e.g., "restaurant", "garment manufacturing", "IT services") and the tool ranks the closest matches across all 1,277 NIC 2008 sub-classes. You can also browse by sector to drill down.
Can I add multiple NIC codes in Udyam Registration?
Yes. The Udyam portal allows you to add multiple NIC codes — one primary activity and additional secondary activities. Choose the code that best describes your main revenue source as the primary, and add others for related activities.
Which NIC version does Udyam use — 2004 or 2008?
Udyam Registration uses NIC 2008 (the current version). NIC 2004 was the previous version and is no longer accepted. All codes shown in this tool are NIC 2008 5-digit sub-classes.
Is this NIC code list official?
Yes. The NIC 2008 codes shown here are sourced from the official National Industrial Classification 2008 document published by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, Government of India.
What if I can't find my exact business activity?
Pick the closest matching sub-class. If your activity is not specifically listed, look for a code ending in "9" (n.e.c. — "not elsewhere classified") within the most relevant group. If you're still unsure, our team at
Provelty Enterprises can review your profile during the registration process.