The MSME registration asks for the business activity by NIC code. For research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities, that activity is 72200.
NIC code · National Industrial Classification 2008
72200 is the 5-digit NIC 2008 code for research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities: a sub-class of class 7220, research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities, within division 72, scientific research and development. Search a code or activity below, or copy the code for your Udyam or SPICe+ form.
This code
Division 72Group 722Class 7220Sub-class 72200
Research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities
Sub-class 72200 · Class 7220 · Group 722 · Division 72 · Section M, NIC 2008
The code
Where the code sits in the National Industrial Classification 2008, from section to sub-class, in the official wording.
722005 digits: 72 + 2 + 0 + 0NIC 2025 · Notice dated 16 October 2026
On 18 November 2025 the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released NIC 2025, which uses 6-digit codes aligned with the UN's ISIC Revision 5. This page shows the NIC 2008 code 72200. The matching NIC 2025 code will be added here once it is mapped from MoSPI's official concordance.
How to read it
An NIC code is built in layers. Each digit narrows the one before it: the division, the group, the class, and finally the 5-digit sub-class. Divisions themselves are grouped under lettered sections.
The broadest numbered layer. Division 72 covers scientific research and development. It sits in section M, professional, scientific and technical activities.
Research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities.
Research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities. The official note for this class is quoted below.
Research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities. The full 5-digit code you enter where a form asks for the business activity by NIC code.
What it covers
72200 is a sub-class of class 7220, research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities. The NIC 2008 document explains the class in the note below, quoted exactly.
This class includes research and development on social sciences, research and development on humanities, interdisciplinary research and development predominantly on social sciences and humanities
This class excludes:
- - market research, see 7320
Where you use it
Two registration forms ask for the business activity by NIC code. This is where 72200 is entered.
The MSME registration asks for the business activity by NIC code. For research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities, that activity is 72200.
The company incorporation form asks for the main industrial activity of the proposed company by NIC code.
Not GST. GST registration does not use NIC codes; goods and services there are classified by HSN and SAC codes.
Questions
Research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities, in the National Industrial Classification 2008. It is a sub-class of class 7220, research and experimental development on social sciences and humanities.
In Udyam Registration, which asks for the business activity by NIC code, and in the SPICe+ company incorporation form, which asks for the main industrial activity by NIC code. GST registration does not use NIC codes.
About this page
The section, division, group, class and sub-class on this page, and the explanatory note for class 7220, are taken word for word from the official document “National Industrial Classification (All Economic Activities) 2008”, Central Statistical Organisation, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India.
This is reference information on the classification of a business activity. It is not advice on which code your own business should declare, and the official NIC document prevails if the two ever differ. A change in the classification, including the MoSPI concordance to NIC 2025, re-opens this page for checking.
Not sure which code fits your activity, or spotted a mismatch? Use the WhatsApp button on this page and tell us what the business sells and how.