The Indian Textile and Apparel Industry plays a crucial role in India’s economic growth, boosting exports, creating jobs, empowering women and showcasing India’s rich heritage and culture.

The industry contributes nearly 2% to the country’s GDP, 10% to industrial production, and 8.21 %to India’s overall exports. In terms of Global trade, India is the sixth largest exporter of textiles, with a 3.91% share in World Textile exports. The domestic textile and apparel production is approximately US$175.7 billion. Exports accounted for US $ 35.87 bn to the sector (2023-24).

The textile sector is highly labour intensive. Overall the sector provides direct employment to over 45 million people, including a large number of women and the rural population. This makes it the second largest employment generator in the country, next only to agriculture. The sector also has perfect alignment with the Government’s overall objectives of Make in India, Skill India, Women’s Empowerment, Rural Youth Employment and inclusive growth

COTTON SECTOR:

During the calendar year 2024, the average prices of kapas are hovering at MSP level due to subdued market condition.  To support cotton farmers, Cotton corporation of India (CCI) has commenced MSP procurement operations from October 2024 and have already procured around 42.11 lakh bales, valuing Rs. 16,215 crore under MSP Operations upto 22.12.2024.The total production under Cotton is at 1^st Position globally. CCI has immensely supported the cotton farmers and with the above procurement under MSP operations have benefitted about 7.75 lakh cotton farmers in all cotton growing States. CCI has taken following initiatives for the benefits of cotton and textile sector:

1. On spot Aadhar authentication (through OTP/biometric device) based farmer’s registration made mandatory.
2. Launched SMS service for payment to farmers from Cotton Season 2024-25. Once bill generated and payment confirmed, farmers receive notification on their mobile number linked to their Aadhaar.
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4. 100% payment directly in aadhar linked Bank Accounts of cotton farmers through National Automated Clearing House (NACH) to ensure MSP benefits goes to real cotton farmers.
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Branding of Cotton: Kasturi Cotton India

Kasturi Cotton India’s brand has been registered as a trademark to give a unique identity to Premium Quality Indian Cotton. Further, traceability of Kasturi Cotton would promote responsible sourcing and offer supply chain visibility of Indian cotton to international brands. A separate HSN code for ELS Cotton has also been introduced.

Kasturi Cotton Bharat programme of Ministry of Textiles is a pioneering effort in traceability, certification and branding of Indian cotton. This initiative, collaboration between the Government of India, trade bodies, and industry, was formalized with a budgetary support of Rs. 30 Crore including Rs.15 crores from Trade & Industry Bodies through a MoU signed on 15.12.2022 between CCI on behalf of Govt. of India, Ministry of Textiles and TEXPROCIL.

WOOL SECTOR:

For the holistic growth of the Wool Sector, the Ministry of Textiles has formulated a new integrated programme, i.e. Integrated Wool Development Programme, ( IWDP) for implementation during the period of 15^th Finance Commission i.e., from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26 with total financial allocation of Rs. 126 Crore through approval of its SFC meeting held on 15^thJune 2021. IWDP scheme of MOT is Central Sector Scheme for Development of Wool Sector. Further, the Guidelines of IWDP has been approved by MoT and appointed Central Wool Development Board, Ministry of Textiles as nodal agency for implementation of this scheme in all major wool producing States.

SILK SECTOR:

The annual Raw silk production has increased to 38,913 MT during 2023-24 from 26,480 MT in 2013-14.  Raw silk production in NE States increased to 7,670 MT in 2023-24 from 4,601 MT in 2013-14. The production of 3A-4A grade import substitute Bivoltine raw silk has increased to 9,675 MT (2023-24) from 2,559 MT (2013-14). The total production under Silk is at 2^nd position globally. International Grade quality Silk production through ARM increased from 25 % to 35%. Raw silk yield per hectare has increased to 110 kg during 2023-24 as compared to 95.93 kg during 2013-14. Estimated employment generation increased to 94.80 lakh persons during 2023-24 from 78.50 lakh persons during 2013-14.

HANDLOOM SECTOR:

As per Handloom Census 2019-20, there are 35.22 lakh handloom workers across the country, out of which more than 72% are women. Assistance worth Rs. 46.44 Crore released for 51clusters covering 12001 beneficiaries under Small Cluster Development Programme (SCDP). Assistance worth Rs. 17.55 Crore released for 133 marketing events. 4818 beneficiaries have been provided loans under MUDRA Scheme. 34,240 beneficiaries enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan JyotiBimaYojanaandPradhanMantri Suraksha BimaYojana. Total 203.778 lakh kg of yarn supplied under Transport Subsidy & Price Subsidy under Raw Material Supply Scheme.The soft launch of the E-Commerce portal viz. indiahandmade.com on 22.04.2023 with approx. 1000 products and 556 sellers. As on 05.12.2024 the no. of products uploaded is 9,453 with 1,722 sellers.

Handicrafts Sector

The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) is implementing the following two schemes for promotion and development of handicraft sector through 67 Handicraft Service Centre (HSCs) segmented in 6 Regional offices.

1. National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP)- Rs. 837 Cr budget approved for the period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26.
2. Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)- Rs. 142.50 Cr budget approved for the period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26.

• The handicrafts sector plays a significant role in the country’s economy. It provides employment to a vast segment of craft persons in rural & semi urban preserving our rich cultural heritage.
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• Total 32.03 lakh artisans have been mobilized under“Pahchan” initiative by the office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles,out of which 9.56 lakhs are male artisans and 20 lakhs are female artisans.
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• During the FY 2023-24, 2325 events have been sanctioned under NHDP scheme including 786 domestic& international marketing events, 674 skilling events and other different interventions benefitting 66775 artisans.

PM MITRA:

• The Government has approved setting up of 7 (Seven) PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites with world class infrastructure including plug and play facility with an outlay of Rs. 4445 cr for a period of seven years upto 2027-28.  The Government has finalised 7 sites viz. Tamil Nadu (Virudhnagar), Telangana (Warangal), Gujarat (Navsari), Karnataka (Kalaburagi), Madhya Pradesh (Dhar), Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) and Maharashtra (Amravati) for setting up PM MITRA Parks.
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• So far investment MoUs with expected investment potential of over Rs. 18,500/- crore have been signed. 100% land acquired and handed over to SPV. Post approval of sites by the Government, the selected States/SPVs have started activities to provide infrastructural facilities like water, power and road till the park gate. Environment Clearance is available to PM MITRA sites in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana. The foundation stone of the PM MITRA Park Amravati Maharashtra was laid by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in September 2024.
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NIFT:

The foundation stone of 19^th NIFT Campus at Varanasi was laid by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 23^rd February, 2024. NIFT, Varanasi campus initially with three UG programmes has commenced functioning w.e.f. 29^th July 2024 and is the first NIFT campus to offer UG Course in Fashion Interiors. Hon’ble Minister of Textiles launched VisionjNXT, India’s first ever trend insights and forecasting lab on 5^th September, 2024.

NATIONAL TECHNICAL TEXTILES MISSION (NTTM):

• With a view to boost Technical Textiles in the country, National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) was created for a period from 2020-21 to 2025-26 with a fund outlay of Rs.1480 crore. The key pillars of NTTM include 'Research Innovation & Development', 'Promotion and Market Development', 'Education, Training and Skilling' and 'Export Promotion'. The focus of the Mission is for developing usage of technical textiles in various flagship missions, programmes of the country including strategic sectors. Achievement as on date is 168 projects of value Rs. 509 crores (approx.) have been approved in the category of Specialty fibers and Technical Textiles.
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• To ensure quality for both domestic consumption as well as imports, the Ministry has issued 68 Quality Control Order (QCOs) in various segments, namely, 20 Geo-tech, 12 Protective Textiles items, 20 Agro Textiles items, 6 Medical Textiles items, 09 items under Ropes & Cordages and 01 item under Indutech textiles. More than 600 BIS standards have been developed for Technical Textiles till date including 200+ standards for Technical Textiles since the inception of NTTM.
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• The Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC) [now MATEXIL] has been assigned the role of the Export Promotion Council for promotion of Technical Textiles.
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• General Guidelines for Enabling of Academic Institutes in Technical Textiles- for Private & Public Institutes have been issued under NTTM in consultation with line Ministries. 38 such proposals worth Rs. 191 Crores are approved under the ibid guidelines for up gradation of lab facilities and training of faculty towards developing eco-system in technical textiles. Under the General Guidelines for Grant for Internship Support in Technical Textiles (GIST)incentive upto INR 20,000 per student per month is given to bachelors and master students as interns through empanelled companies. 16 companies/TRAs have been empanelled for providing Internships.

TEXTILES TRADE PROMOTION (TTP):

Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL): On 7th March 2019, Government has approved Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme to rebate all embedded State and Central taxes/levies on export of Apparel/Garments and Made-ups to enhance competitiveness of these sectors. Further, in order to make textiles products cost competitive, the Union Cabinet has given its approval for continuation of RoSCTL on exports of Apparel/Garments (Chapter-61 & 62) and Made-ups (Chapter-63) till 31st March 2026. Further, textiles products not covered under the RoSCTL are covered under Remissions of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) along with other products.

SAMARTH:

• The Government with a view to enhance the skills of the workforce in the textile sector has formulated Samarth Scheme under a broad skilling policy framework with the objective of providing opportunity for sustainable livelihood. With the recommendations of the SFC in its meeting held on 30.09.2024, and approval of the same by the Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, the scheme has been extended for the period FY 2024-25 to FY 2025-26 with outlay of Rs. 495 Cr. To train 3 Lakh persons.
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• The scheme aims to provide demand driven and placement oriented National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant skilling programmes to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organised textile sector and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles excluding spinning & weaving and in addition it also provides skilling and skill-upgradation in the traditional textile sectors.
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• The skilling programme under the scheme is implemented through Implementing Partners (IPs) comprising Textile Industry/Industry Associations, State Government agencies and Sectoral Organizations of Ministry of Textiles. Under the Scheme 191 implementing partners are working in entry level training programme and upskilling training programme. As on 30.12.2024, more than 3.54 lakh beneficiaries have been trained under Samarth, out of which 2.79 lakh beneficiaries has been provided placement.

BharatTex

A Global Textile Expo, Bharat Tex 2024, was successfully organized first time during 26th – 29th February, 2024 by the consortium of Textiles Export Promotion Councils with the support of this Ministry. The Indian Global event successfully demonstrated to the world the formidable strength of the Indian Textiles Sector and highlighted the latest advancements, innovations, and trends in the Textiles and Fashion Industry. It created a platform for networking opportunities and fostering valuable business collaborations between Indian and international business houses as well as amongst Indian players of different segments of Textile value chain. After successful completion of Bharat Tex 2024, it is decided to organize second edition i.e. BHARAT TEX 2025, a global textile mega event on similar pattern by a consortium of 11 Textile Export Promotion Councils (TEPCs) and supported by the Ministry of Textiles scheduled to be held from 14^th to 17^th February, 2025 at ITPO (Bharat Mandapam), PragatiMaidan and India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida from 12-15 February, 2025. It is planned to promote Bharat Tex as a Mega Event for textile sector and established it in the calendar of internationals events.

Key initiatives during the Government's first 100 daysf formation in 2024 include:

Handloom and Handicrafts: Launch of the Bunkar&KarigarUtthan Programme for skill development of 3,627 artisans and weavers across 100 clusters; celebration of the 10th National Handloom Day; development projects like Craft Tourism Villages and Common Facility Centers for artisans in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and J&K.

Silk Sector: Launch of the Eri Silk Project in Gujarat and Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Central Silk Board, showcasing advancements in sericulture and silk production.

Jute Sector: A new pricing methodology for jute sacking bags to benefit workers and farmers, promoting modernization and environmental sustainability.

Technical Textiles: International Conference on Technical Textiles, launch of 11 Startups under NTTM, and introduction of VisioNxt, India’s first AI-based fashion trend forecasting system.

Infrastructure Development: Foundation of PM MITRA Park in Maharashtra, aiming to position India as a global textile hub.

Mega Events: Curtain-raiser for Bharat Tex 2025, a global textile event to attract international investments and buyers.