Samarth is a demand-driven, placement-focused skilling initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, recently extended for two more years (FY 2024-25 and 2025-26) with a budget of Rs. 495 crore. The program aims to train 3 lakh individuals in textile-related skills.

The scheme's goal is to support the textile industry in creating jobs within the organized textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain, excluding spinning and weaving. The curriculum and training modules are aligned with evolving technological advancements and market needs to ensure relevance. Besides entry-level skilling, Samarth also offers upskilling and reskilling opportunities to boost the productivity of existing workers, particularly in the apparel and garmenting sectors. It further extends to the traditional textile industries such as handloom, handicrafts, silk, and jute, addressing their specific skilling needs.

The program is executed through Implementing Partners (IPs), which include textile industry organizations, government agencies, and sectoral bodies under the Ministry of Textiles like the Development Commissioners for Handloom and Handicrafts, the Central Wool Development Board, and the Central Silk Board.

So far, the scheme has trained 3.27 lakh candidates through its IPs, with 2.6 lakh (79.5%) of them securing employment. There is a strong emphasis on empowering women, with 2.89 lakh (88.3%) women being trained to date.