India's Unincorporated Non-Agricultural Sector in 2025
The sector, excluding construction and corporate enterprises, saw significant growth, adding approximately 75 lakh workers in one year, employing 12.81 crore people, up from 12.06 crore the previous year. The growth was uneven across states, as per the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025 by the National Statistics Office (NSO).
State-wise Distribution and Contribution
- Uttar Pradesh (UP)
- Largest share of establishments: 13.8%
- Biggest share of workers: 14.5%
- Largest contributor to all-India GVA: 11.7%
- West Bengal (WB)
- Share of establishments: 13.1%
- Share of workers: 10.4%
- Maharashtra
- Share of establishments: 8.3%
- Share of workers: 9.1%
- GVA Contribution: 11.2%
- Tamil Nadu (TN)
- GVA Contribution: 8.2%
Together, these three states account for about 35% of all establishments in the sector.
Digital Divide and Internet Adoption
- Internet use for entrepreneurial activities increased significantly.
- Delhi led internet adoption at 71.9% among informal establishments.
- Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal had the lowest adoption rates at 18.7% and 25.7% respectively.
- Rural internet adoption increased from 18% to 31%.
- Urban internet adoption increased from 37% to 49%.
Female Proprietorship
27% of all unincorporated establishments nationally are headed by female proprietors. In the manufacturing sector, this share exceeds 60%.
- Telangana has the highest proportion of female-led establishments at 38.55%, with 80.45% of its proprietary manufacturing units run by women.
