Recent Current Affairs related to Textile

According to a report titled “Key Sectors to Position India as a Global Manufacturing Hub” released by NITI Aayog, which provides a data-driven assessment of the manufacturing sector in India, 12 manufacturing sectors have been identified to accelerate the transition of India into a global manufacturing hub.

Among the 12 key sectors, four high-potential sectors identified to drive manufacturing growth and strengthen the position of India in global value chains are chemicals, textiles, telecom and networking equipment, and solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing. The study conducted for the report followed a 4-phase methodology.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh has inaugurated ‘IIHT SUTRA 2026’, the first national conclave of the Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHTs), at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre (DAIC) in New Delhi.

The conclave was organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) under the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) under the theme “IIHTs: Weaving the Future of the Indian Handloom Sector - Educate. Innovate”. The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) also organised a special gathering titled ‘Srijan: Voices from the Loom’ to celebrate women in the handloom sector.

During the event, 3 strategic MoUs were signed with Grasim Industries Ltd, Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA), and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur. The MoT released a publication titled “Handloom Change Makers”, highlighting the achievements of prominent IIHT alumni, and launched a film titled “Weaving India’s Handloom Future”.

National Handloom Day

Day – August 07

Observed since – 2015

Commemorating – To commemorate the Swadeshi Movement, launched in 1905

Union Minister Giriraj Singh has inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Handloom Technology (CoE-HT) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.

During the event, 5 flagship initiatives were launched: 'Handloom 4.0 Mobile App', 'Handloom e-Vidya', 'HandloomX', 'Kalagriha Handloom Studio' (GenZ Design Studio), and 'Threads of Valour'.

The government has designated cotton as "White Gold" due to its pivotal role in supporting the livelihoods of farmers and stakeholders across the textile value chain.

India ranks 1st globally in cotton cultivation area, covering 114.84 lakh hectares (ha) or 38% of the world's total cotton area, and holds the 2nd position in both cotton production and consumption.

According to the Ministry of Textiles (MoT), India's cotton production is provisionally projected at 290.91 lakh bales or 4.95 MT for the 2025-26 period. India's total cotton exports were valued at $11.49 billion in FY25. It is to be noted that the USA is the largest destination for India's cotton fabrics and made-up exports, accounting for 26.35% of the total shipments.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurated the 3rd edition of Bharat Tex, India's flagship global textile event, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

During the event, the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) established a bilateral industry platform in collaboration with the European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX). The event generated business enquiries worth $2.8 billion and secured investment commitments of ₹14,300 crore across various states. Additionally, participating states signed over 30 MoUs.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), has launched a premium brand named “RISA - Timeless Tribal” for tribal textiles, embroideries, and handicrafts. An exclusive RISA store was inaugurated at the Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhawan in New Delhi.

The initiative aims to establish a brand identity for tribal products, strengthen market linkages for tribal artisans, facilitate design development, and promote tribal heritage in domestic and international markets.

The Government of India (GoI) has approved 22 new applicants under the third round of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles. These entities are expected to bring an investment of ₹2,339.14 crore and generate a turnover of ₹15,561.34 crore.

With this, a total of 96 companies have been selected under the third round of the scheme, with a cumulative committed investment of ₹12,822.67 crore and a projected turnover of ₹58,294.18 crore. The approved applicants operate in the Man-Made Fibre (MMF) Apparel, MMF Fabrics, and Technical Textiles segments.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma have launched Mission ‘Senehjori’ to transform the Assam Muga Silk sector into a globally competitive luxury textile ecosystem.

Muga silk is the world’s only naturally golden silk and India’s first GI-tagged silk. The total budget for the revitalization of this sector is ₹396-411 crore, with a contribution of ₹136-151 crore from the Ministry. The initiative is structured as a 3-year roadmap with milestones to be completed by 2028.

The Ministry of Textiles has launched the “Bharat Tex 2026 Event Application” to facilitate AI-driven networking and business matchmaking for the upcoming “Bharat Tex 2026” exhibition. The exhibition is scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The application features an AI-powered smart assistant designed to provide 24x7 conversational support for event schedules, venue details, directions, and other related queries.

PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated and dedicated infrastructure, rail, and healthcare projects worth ₹9,400 crore in Hyderabad. He inaugurated the first functional Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park of India in Warangal. The Malkapur Terminal Project of the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and the Sindhu Hospital in Hyderabad were also dedicated to the nation during the visit.

The Ministry of Textiles has signed an MoU with the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) to conduct evidence-based policy research in the textile and apparel sector.

The collaboration aims to support the formulation of data-driven and analytically robust policies to strengthen the domestic textile industry.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) have developed “Phoenix Geocell”, India’s first technical textile geocell made from 100% end-of-life mixed plastic waste.

The technology uses a 3-dimensional (3D) honeycomb-like structure made from processed mixed plastic waste. It is to be noted that the innovation has been recognized by the “India Book of Records” and “Asia Book of Records” during a ceremony at the CSIR-CRRI auditorium in New Delhi.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh released the study report titled “Market for Textiles and Clothing: National Household Survey 2024” in New Delhi. The report states that the domestic demand for textiles in India recorded a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.3%, increasing from ₹4.89 lakh crore in 2010 to ₹14.95 lakh crore in 2024.

Household demand for textiles rose from ₹4.18 lakh crore in 2010 to ₹8.77 lakh crore in 2024. The per capita demand for textiles increased at a CAGR of 7.8%, growing from ₹2,119 in 2010 to ₹6,066 in 2024.