The recent developments in the theory of industrial organisation have underlined the importance of small scale industry. Small industry can be equally competitive in the fast changing global economy provided it exploits economies of scale and scope while locating itself in clusters along with making technological progress endogenous. This study situates Punjab’s small scale industry in the context of recent developments both in theory and practice This study by utilising the NSSO data for the period 1994-95 to 2000-01 points out that Punjab’s unorganised industry has emerged distinctly among its counterparts in other major Indian states by recording sufficiently high growth in employment, relatively high usage of capital and labour productivity etc. It along with exploring the structure of Punjab’s unorganised industry has also identified major problems faced by it. Policy issues have been raised to draw the attention of the policy makers towards small industry so that it can become competitive in the fast globalising industrial economy.