Lok Sabha Question No. 1375 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Innovation in Textile Industry
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab

## INNOVATION IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY

## 1375. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a)  the  details  of  key  untapped  domestic  and  international  markets  for  Indian  textiles  along  with  the manner to penetrate these markets with targeted marketing strategies, brand building, and promotional campaigns;

(b)  the  manner  in  which  it  is  proposed  to  encourage  innovation  and  diversification  within  the  textile sector, moving beyond traditional products to high-value, niche segments like technical textiles, fashion wear and home furnishings;

(c) the details of emerging trends in global textile markets and the manner in which Indian manufacturers are expected to adopt and capitalize on them;

(d)  the  ways  to  accelerate  the  adoption  of  advanced  technologies  like  AI,  IoT  and  automation  in  the textile value chain to improve efficiency, productivity and quality;

(e)  the  specific  technology  interventions  needed  to  enhance  design,  manufacturing  and  supply  chain management; and

(f)  the  details  of  critical  skill  gaps  in  the  textile  workforce  and  the  way  to  address  the  same  through effective skill development programme and vocational training initiatives?

## उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a): The textile industry is one of the largest sources of employment generation in the country with over 45 million people employed directly. The share of textile and apparel (T&A) including handicrafts in India's total exports stands at a significant 8.21% in 2023-24. India has a share of 3.91% of the global trade in textiles and apparel. In order to popularize the Indian textiles in global market and to promote Indian textiles, the Government is implementing various schemes/initiatives. The major schemes/initiatives  include   PM  Mega  Integrated  Textile  Regions  and  Apparel  (PM  MITRA)  Parks Scheme  which  seeks  to  create  a  modern,  integrated  ,  world  class  textile  infrastructure;  Production Linked  Incentive  (PLI)  Scheme  focusing  on  MMF  Fabric,  MMF  Apparel  and  Technical  Textiles  to boost large scale manufacturing and enhancing competitiveness; National Technical Textiles Mission focusing on Research Innovation & Development, Promotion and Market Development; SAMARTH Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector with the objective providing demand driven, placement oriented, skilling program; Silk Samagra-2 for comprehensive development of sericulture value chain ; National  Handloom  Development  Program  for  end  to  end  support  for  handloom  sector.  Ministry  of Textiles  is  also  implementing  National  Handicrafts  Development  Programme  and  Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme for promotion of handicraft artisans. Under these schemes, support  is  provided  for  marketing,  skill  development,  cluster  development,  direct  benefit  to  artisans, infrastructure and technology support etc.

Further, for global branding of Indian Textile, Government has registered Kasturi Cotton India's brand  as  a  trademark  to  give  a  unique  identity  to  Premium  Quality  Indian  Cotton.  Also,  after  a successful Global Mega Textile Event BHARAT TEX 2024, BHARAT TEX 2025 is being organized in February, 2025 by 12 Indian Textile Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and supported by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India to showcase the best of trade, technology and tradition, India's prowess as  a  premier  textile  manufacturing  hub,  encompassing  the  entire  value  chain  from  raw  materials  to finished products. The event highlights diversity and richness of Indian textiles, while emphasizing the industry's manufacturing strength as well as its commitment to sustainability and circularity.

(b) to (e): The  Government  is  laying  emphasis  on  the  promotion  of  innovative  and  creative technologies in textile industry. The Government is implementing National Technical Textile Mission with an outlay of Rs.1,480 crores with implementation period up to 31.03.2026. The Mission focuses on research and innovation and indigenous development of specialty fibres; promoting awareness amongst users; enhancing India's exports of technical textiles; and creating human resources with requisite skills. So  far  168  projects  of  value  Rs  509  Crores  have  been  approved  covering  specialty  fibres  and composites,  geotextiles,  agro  textiles,  protective  textiles,  medical  textiles,  defence  textiles,  sports textiles,  and  environment  friendly  textiles  have  been  approved  under  NTTM.  Government  launched VisioNxt, a bilingual web portal, and India-specific Fashion Trend Book Paridhi 24x25 on September 5, 2024.  VisioNxt  is  a  Fashion  Forecasting  Initiative  of  the  National  Institute  of  Fashion  Technology (NIFT). It aims to foster healthy global competition and elevate Indian culture and design to new heights globally.  The  fashion  industry  will  benefit  from  the  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI)  and  Emotional Intelligence (EI)- based trend insights offered by VisioNxt.

(f): Government is implementing SAMARTH scheme to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the  industry  in  creating  jobs  in  the  organized  sector  and  upskilling/reskilling  in  traditional  sectors (Handloom, Handicraft,  Silk, Jute).  Umbrella  skilling  scheme  covering  entire  value  chain  of  textiles, excluding Spinning and Weaving in organized sector. Samarth has mandatory placement of trainees  70% for entry level & 90% for upskilling under mainstream sector and Self-employment for sectoral organizations. The scheme was approved on 20.12.2017 and till date total 3.59 lakhs beneficiaries have been  trained  and  out  of  that  2.87  lakhs  have  been  placed.  The  scheme  has  been  extended  upto 31.03.2026.

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