The number of industries for which industrial licensing is required has now been reduced to

1. Industrial licensing was a key feature of India's pre-1991 planned economy, regulating the establishment and expansion of industries. 2. The New Industrial Policy of 1991 significantly delicensed industries to promote liberalization. 3. Initially, licensing was abolished for all except 18 industries. This list was further pruned over the years. 4. By 1996-1997, the number of industries requiring compulsory licensing had been reduced significantly. 5. As of 1997, the number stood at 6 industries requiring compulsory licensing. These typically included strategic sectors, hazardous chemicals, and items of social concern (like alcoholic drinks, cigars/cigarettes, electronic aerospace and defence equipment, industrial explosives, hazardous chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals). The list has been reduced further since then.