Summary: Companies filing their annual returns in Form MGT-7 or MGT-7A must disclose their principal business activities using the appropriate Main Activity Group Code and Business Activity Code. These classifications are based on the National Industrial Classification (NIC-2008) and provide a standard framework for identifying the nature of economic activities carried on by companies. Main Activity Group Codes, represented alphabetically from A to S, identify broad business sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, financial services, professional services and education. The corresponding numerical Business Activity Codes identify specific activities within each group. Accurate classification ensures consistency in information reported to the Registrar of Companies under Section 92 of the Companies Act, 2013. While selecting codes, companies should examine their actual business operations rather than relying solely on their corporate name, objects clause or proposed activities. Where multiple activities are carried on, the applicable codes should be selected with reference to the nature of operations and turnover attributable to the respective business activities. The following comprehensive classification table provides a ready reference for identifying the relevant Main Activity Group and Business Activity Codes when preparing annual returns in Forms MGT-7 and MGT-7A.
Introduction
The annual return filed by a company in Form MGT-7 or MGT-7A requires disclosure of the principal business activities carried on by the company. For this purpose, the company is required to identify the appropriate Main Activity Group Code and Business Activity Code corresponding to its business operations.
The classification of business activities is based on the National Industrial Classification (NIC-2008), which provides a systematic framework for classifying economic activities into different groups and categories. This classification facilitates uniform reporting and identification of the nature of business activities undertaken by companies.
Types of Principal Business Activity Codes
The classification consists of two levels:
- Main Activity Group Code: Represents the broad category under which the principal business activity of the company falls.
- Business Activity Code: Represents the specific nature of business activity undertaken within the relevant Main Activity Group.
The Main Activity Groups are identified alphabetically, from A to S, with corresponding numerical Business Activity Codes. Companies should identify the codes that most appropriately represent their principal business activities.
While selecting the appropriate business activity code, a company should carefully examine the nature of its actual business operations rather than relying merely on its name, objects clause or proposed business activities. Where a company carries on multiple business activities, the principal activity should be identified in accordance with the applicable MGT-7/MGT-7A reporting requirements and the relevant turnover information.
Complete List of Main Activity Group Codes and Business Activity Codes
| Main Activity Group Code | Description of Main Activity Group | Business Activity Code | Description of Business Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Agriculture, forestry, fishing | 01 | Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities |
| 02 | Forestry and logging | ||
| 03 | Fishing and aquaculture | ||
| B | Mining and quarrying | 05 | Mining of Coal and lignite |
| 06 | Extraction of Crude Petroleum & Natural gas | ||
| 07 | Mining of Metal Ores | ||
| 08 | Other Mining & Quarrying Activities | ||
| 09 | Mining Support Services activities | ||
| C | Manufacturing | 10 | Manufacture of Food products |
| 11 | Manufacture of Beverages | ||
| 12 | Manufacture of Tobacco products | ||
| 13 | Manufacture of Textiles | ||
| 14 | Manufacture of Wearing Apparel | ||
| 15 | Manufacture of Leather and related products | ||
| 16 | Manufacture of wood and of products of wood and cork, except furniture; manufacture of articles of straw and plaiting materials | ||
| 17 | Manufacture of paper and paper products | ||
| 18 | Printing and reproduction of recorded media | ||
| 19 | Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products | ||
| 20 | Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products | ||
| 21 | Manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medicinal chemical and botanical products | ||
| 22 | Manufacture of rubber and plastics products | ||
| 23 | Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products | ||
| 24 | Manufacture of basic metals | ||
| 25 | Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment | ||
| 26 | Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products | ||
| 27 | Manufacture of electrical equipment | ||
| 28 | Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. | ||
| 29 | Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers | ||
| 30 | Manufacture of other transport equipment | ||
| 31 | Manufacture of furniture | ||
| 32 | Other manufacturing | ||
| 33 | Repair and installation of machinery and equipment | ||
| D | Electricity, gas, steam and air condition supply | 35 | Electric power generation, transmission and distribution |
| E | Water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities | 36 | Water collection, treatment and supply |
| 37 | Sewerage | ||
| 38 | Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities, materials recovery | ||
| 39 | Remediation activities and other waste management services | ||
| F | Construction | 41 | Construction of Buildings |
| 42 | Civil Engineering | ||
| 43 | Specialized Construction Activities | ||
| G | Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 45 | Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
| 46 | Wholesale trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles | ||
| 47 | Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles | ||
| H | Transportation and storage | 49 | Land Transport and transport via pipelines |
| 50 | Water transport | ||
| 51 | Air transport | ||
| 52 | Warehousing and support activities for transportation | ||
| 53 | Postal & Courier activities | ||
| I | Accommodation and Food Services activities | 55 | Accommodation |
| 56 | Food and beverage service activities | ||
| J | Information and communication | 58 | Publishing activities |
| 59 | Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities | ||
| 60 | Broadcasting and programming activities | ||
| 61 | Telecommunications | ||
| 62 | Computer programming, consultancy and related activities | ||
| 63 | Information service activities |
| Main Activity Group Code | Description of Main Activity Group | Business Activity Code | Description of Business Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| K | Financial and insurance activities | 64 | Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding |
| 65 | Insurance, reinsurance and pension funding, except compulsory social security | ||
| 66 | Other financial activities | ||
| L | Real Estate activities | 68 | Real Estate activities |
| M | Professional, Scientific and Technical activities | 69 | Legal and accounting activities |
| 70 | Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities | ||
| 71 | Architecture and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis | ||
| 72 | Scientific research and development | ||
| 73 | Advertising and market research | ||
| 74 | Other professional, scientific and technical activities | ||
| 75 | Veterinary activities | ||
| N | Administrative and support service activities | 77 | Rental and leasing activities |
| 78 | Employment activities | ||
| 79 | Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service activities | ||
| 80 | Security and investigation activities | ||
| 81 | Services to buildings and landscape buildings | ||
| 82 | Office administrative, office support and other business support activities | ||
| O | Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 84 | Public administration and defence; compulsory social security |
| P | Education | 85 | Education |
| Q | Human health and social work activities | 86 | Human Health activities |
| 87 | Residential care activities | ||
| 88 | Social work activities without accommodation | ||
| R | Arts, entertainment and recreation | 90 | Creative, arts and entertainment activities |
| 91 | Library, archives, museums and other cultural activities | ||
| 92 | Gambling & betting activities | ||
| 93 | Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities | ||
| S | Other services activities | 94 | Activities of membership organisations |
Accurate Reporting of Principal Business Activities in Annual Returns
Correct identification and reporting of Principal Business Activity Codes ensure consistency and accuracy in the annual return filed with the Registrar of Companies. The following classification table serves as a ready reference for identifying the relevant Main Activity Group Code and Business Activity Code while preparing Form MGT-7/MGT-7A.
