From cigarettes to FMCG superbrands and luxury hotels—see how ITC rewrote its story and built one of India’s most powerful business empires.

A long time ago, in 1910, ITC started as a cigarette company. It was called the Imperial Tobacco Company of India. But today, ITC is much more than just cigarettes. It sells biscuits, noodles, flour, soaps, hotels, and even farming products. Let’s see how ITC grew big over the years!

Early Days: Selling Cigarettes (1910-1970)

• 1910: ITC was started by a British company to sell cigarettes in India.

• 1925: ITC built its first cigarette factory in India.

• 1954: ITC became a public company, meaning Indians could invest in it.

• 1966: ITC started a paperboard factory in Kolkata, showing signs of change.

ITC Tries New Things (1970-1990)

• 1970: ITC changed its name and decided to do more than cigarettes.

• 1982: ITC opened its first hotel, ITC Maurya in Delhi.

• 1990s: ITC grew in hotels, paper, and packaging.

ITC Sells More Than Cigarettes (2000-2010)

• 2000: ITC started e-Choupal, helping farmers sell crops online.

• 2002: ITC launched Aashirvaad Atta, which became India’s top flour brand.

• 2003: ITC launched Sunfeast biscuits and Classmate notebooks.

• 2005: ITC started Fiama soaps and Vivel shampoos.

ITC Grows Even Bigger (2010-2020)

• 2010: ITC launched YiPPee Noodles, a competitor to Maggi.

• 2012: ITC opened ITC Grand Chola, a luxury hotel in Chennai.

• ITC focused more on green energy, water saving, and less waste.

ITC Today: More Than Just Cigarettes (2020- Present)

Today, ITC makes more money from food and hotels than from cigarettes!

ITC is also focusing on eco-friendly projects to save water and reduce waste.

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ITC’s Business in 2025

ITC is one of India’s top companies today. Here’s how it is doing in 2025:

ITC’s food brands, like Sunfeast, Aashirvaad, and Bingo! are growing fast. ITC hotels are also earning good money. ITC is also leading in green business and sustainability.

Challenges & Future Plans

Even though ITC is big, it faces some problems:

• Tobacco rules may affect its cigarette business.

• Tough competition in the food business from Nestlé and HUL.

What ITC Plans Next:

• Selling more FMCG products.

• More investment in green energy and digital shopping.

Final Thoughts

ITC started with cigarettes but became a multi-business giant. It now sells food, hotels, and farm products. ITC is also saving the environment with green projects. It is a big name in India’s economy and will keep growing in the future.

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