Lok Sabha Question No. 2775 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: National Technical Textiles Mission
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar, Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

## NATIONAL TECHNICAL TEXTILES MISSION

2775. DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE: SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE: SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR: SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

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

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  sanctioned  20  new  research  projects  for  the  development  of  "Smart Textiles" and especially designed biodegradable fibres in February 2026;

(b)  whether  the  National  Technical  Textiles  Mission  has  successfully  replaced  the  import  of  highstrength carbon fibres used in the Indian aerospace industry;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  launched  a  dedicated  "Start-up  Scheme  for  Technical  Textiles" (GREAT) to provide grants of up to 50 lakh for young innovators;

(d)  whether  the  Government  in  collaboration  with  different  departments  to  mandate  the  use  of indigenous Geotextiles in all new hill-road constructions;

(e)  whether  the  Government  has  emerged  successfully  as  a  net  exporter  of  Technical  Textiles  in  the current financial year for the first time; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिरििाज ग िंह )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a): A  total  of  16  new  research  projects  focusing  on  areas  such  as,  indigenous  development  of advanced  technical  textile  products,  high-performance  fibres,  smart  and  functional  textiles,  protective gear,  textile  machinery,  and  composite  systems  for  infrastructure  and  industrial  applications  etc.  have been approved under National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) in February, 2026.

(b): One of the key objectives of Component-I of NTTM is to support fundamental research for the development of specialty fibres such as carbon fibre, aramid fibre, nylon fibre and Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly Ethylene (UHMWPE), etc. Under this component, a project for indigenous development of intermediate modulus grade carbon fibre has been approved to CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL).

(c): Under NTTM, a dedicated intervention titled 'Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT)' has been implemented with an objective to support start-up ecosystem of Technical Textiles in the country by assisting young innovators, scientists/technologists,  and  start-up  ventures  in  the  field  of  Technical  Textiles  to  translate  their  ideas into  commercial  technologies/products.  Under  the  GREAT  guidelines,  a  maximum  support  of  Rs.  50 lakh is provided to each approved start-up. A total of 31 Start-ups have been approved under NTTM at a cost of Rs. 15.40 crore.

(d): The  Ministry of Textiles is promoting  the  mandatory  use of indigenous geotextiles in infrastructure development, including road construction in hilly and difficult terrains, through coordinated efforts among various Ministries / Departments such as the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, the Ministry of Jal Shakti, etc. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and the Ministry of Jal Shakti have issued guidelines and codal provisions encouraging the use of various geosynthetic products such as Geocell, Geocomposites, Geogrid, etc. in highway construction and maintenance.

(e) & (f): As per Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) trade data, during the current financial year (till December 2025), total export of technical textiles from the country stands at Rs. 21,970 crore as against the import of Rs. 18,953 crore. The details of export and import of Technical Textiles in the last three financial years and current financial year as per the DGCIS data are given below:

| F.Y.                            | Exports (INR Cr)Imports (INR   | Cr)Trade   | Balance (INR Cr)   |
|---------------------------------|--------------------------------|------------|--------------------|
| 2022-23                         | 23,050                         | 21,809     | +1,241             |
| 2023-24                         | 24,724                         | 21,132     | +3,592             |
| 2024-25                         | 28,392                         | 22,865     | +5,527             |
| 2025-26 (April - December 2025) | 21,970                         | 18,953     | +3,017             |

Source: DGCIS, Ministry of Commerce.

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