What it is?
- A standardized six-digit classification system for categorizing all economic activities in India, replacing the earlier five-digit NIC-2008.
History:First introduced in 1962, with revisions in 1970, 1987, 1998, 2004, and 2008.
Aim:To reflect India’s evolvingeconomic structure improve granularity, and align with the UN’s International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Revision 5.
Key Features:
- Explicitly includes emerging sectors likecloud services, blockchain, platform-based services, renewable energy, waste management, andAYUSH
- Introduces new classes for intermediation services (logistics, real estate, food services) and environmental remediation.
- Will serve as thestandard framework for all official statistics, surveys, and policy designin India.
AboutNational Sample Survey Office(NSSO):
What it is?
- India’s premier institution for large-scale sample surveys across socio-economic domains.
Established:In 1950 by ProfP.C.Mahalanobis
Aim:To collect and analyse nationally representative data on topics like employment, health, education, industries, and prices.
Key Features:
- Headed by a Director General under the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.
- Comprises four divisions:
- Survey Design and Research Division (SDRD):Kolkata-based; designs surveys and methodologies.
- Field Operations Division (FOD):Manages nationwide data collection through zonal and regional offices.
- Data Processing Division(DPD):Handles sample selection, software, and data validation.
- Survey Coordination Division (SCD):Coordinates activities and publishes the journalsarvekshana
- Conducts key surveys such as the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) and Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
