(GS Paper III – Indian Economy | Industry, Manufacturing & Employment)

Why in the news?

The National Textiles Ministers’ Conference is being held in Guwahati from January 8–9, bringing together the Centre and States to shape a coordinated national roadmap for India’s textile sector.

Why textiles matter to India

The textiles sector lies at the intersection of livelihood, culture, and commerce. It is not merely an industrial activity but a living ecosystem that connects farmers, artisans, factory workers, designers, exporters, and consumers.

• It is the second-largest employer after agriculture, providing direct employment to over 45 million people and indirect livelihoods to around 60 million.
• It contributes about 2.3 percent to Gross Domestic Product and 13 percent to industrial production.
• The sector reflects India’s civilisational diversity, from traditional handlooms to modern technical textiles.

This dual character—economic strength and cultural depth—makes textiles central to inclusive and sustainable growth.

India’s textile diversity: a national asset

India’s textile strength lies in its regional diversity. Almost every State has a distinctive textile identity shaped by local resources, climate, skills, and history.

• Assam’s Muga silk, Banarasi brocades, Patola of Gujarat, Phulkari of Punjab, Pashmina of Kashmir, Kanjeevarams of Tamil Nadu, and tribal textiles of the Northeast together form a global tapestry unmatched elsewhere.
• Alongside natural fibres like cotton, jute, silk, and wool, India is rapidly expanding into man-made fibres and technical textiles.

This diversity is a strength, but it also means that one-size-fits-all policies cannot work. Regional strengths require region-specific solutions.

Need for coordinated Centre–State action

Because the textile value chain spans farms, factories, markets, and exports, coordination between the Union government and States is essential.

• States control land, power, labour ecosystems, and local skill networks.
• The Centre provides national policy direction, fiscal support, and global market access.

The conference is significant because it creates a platform for cooperative federalism, allowing States to share best practices and align their textile policies with national goals.

Vision 2030: where India wants to reach

India has set an ambitious target of doubling the textile industry size from about 176 billion dollars to 350 billion dollars by 2030.

Key policy pillars supporting this vision include:

• Integrated textile parks to achieve scale and global competitiveness.
• Production-linked incentives to boost manufacturing and exports.
• Promotion of technical textiles for sectors such as health, defence, infrastructure, and agriculture.
• Skill development programmes to modernise the workforce while preserving traditional crafts.

This approach aligns with the broader goals of self-reliant India and the long-term vision of a developed India by 2047.

What the conference seeks to address

The two-day deliberations aim to take a holistic view of the textile ecosystem, covering:

• Strengthening infrastructure and investment frameworks.
• Ensuring availability of raw materials and fibres.
• Upgrading technology, processing, and value addition.
• Expanding exports and global branding of Indian textiles.
• Balancing heritage handlooms and handicrafts with modern supply chains.
• Promoting sustainability and environmentally responsible practices.

This balance between tradition and modernity is crucial for long-term resilience.

Why this moment is crucial

Global textile supply chains are undergoing a shift due to geopolitical changes, sustainability norms, and demand for diversification. India has an opportunity to position itself as a reliable, ethical, and diversified textile hub.

However, success depends on:

• Policy stability and inter-State coordination.
• Skill upgradation and productivity enhancement.
• Integration of small producers and artisans into formal value chains.

The National Textiles Ministers’ Conference marks a defining moment to align vision with execution.

Conclusion

India’s textiles future will not be woven by isolated policies, but by collective effort and coordinated governance. By bringing States and the Centre onto one platform, the conference seeks to create a unified national weave—one that sustains livelihoods, preserves heritage, and strengthens India’s position in global markets.

Exam Hook – UPSC / APSC Mains

Question:
Discuss the significance of cooperative federalism in achieving India’s Vision 2030 for the textile sector. Highlight the role of regional diversity and policy coordination.

Key Takeaways:

• Textiles are both an economic engine and cultural carrier.
• Regional diversity needs differentiated policy support, not uniform solutions.
• Centre–State coordination is critical for scale, sustainability, and global competitiveness.

SOURCE