India's unincorporated or informal sector is vast and diverse, playing a vital role in both local and national economies. It provides livelihoods to millions across manufacturing, trade and services, drawing on local skills, cultural strengths and entrepreneurial agility.
The first-ever district-level estimates from MoSPI's Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025 reveal a sector that's both geographically concentrated and highly varied. Districts with a large share of workforce do not necessarily have high productivity, while some that contribute substantially to value addition are not major sources of employment. The degree of specialisation also differs widely: some districts rely heavily on a handful of activities, while others have a more diverse economic base, with jobs spread across a wider range of industries.
