India’s textile industry is important to the economy and makes some of the most innovative fabrics globally. India is the 6th largest exporter of textiles globally, with a 3.9% share in world textile exports.
It contributes nearly 2% to the country’s GDP. The sector is set to grow to US$350 billion by 2030 further strengthening India’s position in the global market. This growth is expected to create 3.5 crore jobs. While traditional textiles remain crucial, the rise of technical textiles is reshaping the industry. These are specialized fabrics designed for specific uses, focusing on function over appearance. They are divided into 12 categories, each serving a different purpose.
Framework for the National Technical Textiles Mission
With a view to boost technical textiles sector in the country, National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) was launched for a period from 2020-21 to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs.1,480 crores. The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) focuses on using textiles in key areas. The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) has four key components aimed at boosting the sector’s growth:
- Component I – Research, Innovation and Development: Supports R&D in technical textiles, inviting proposals to develop new materials and processes.
- Component II – Promotion and Market Development: Aims to increase technical textile adoption in India through market promotion and international collaborations.
- Component III – Export Promotion: Focuses on boosting exports of technical textiles with a dedicated export council. Outlay
- Component IV – Education, Training, and Skill Development: Promotes technical textiles education, skill training, and internships in top institutes and industries.
₹517 crore has been allocated for the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) since its launch. So far, ₹393.39 crore has been used for various activities such as research, innovation, market development, export promotion and skill development in technical textiles. A total of 168 research projects, valued at around ₹509 crore, have been approved under NTTM.
NTTM Strengthening the Textile Industry with Other Initiatives
The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) is driving the transformation of India’s textile sector with a range of initiatives focused on innovation, skill development and promoting indigenous production.