India’s textile and apparel industry has seen significant growth, supported by robust government initiatives and favorable trade policies. The following sections provide an overview of the industry’s recent developments, export performance, and key policy measures.

Textile Export Growth

• 7% Increase: India witnessed a 7% rise in textile and apparel exports (including handicrafts) from April to December 2024 compared to the previous year.
• Global Share: India holds a 4% share in global textiles and apparel exports.
• Key Markets: The USA, European Union, and UK accounted for 53% of India’s total textile exports in FY 2023-24.

Government Initiatives

• PM MITRA Parks Scheme: Aims to create world-class textile infrastructure to boost sectoral efficiency.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Encourages large-scale manufacturing of MMF (Man-Made Fiber) fabric, apparel, and technical textiles.
• National Technical Textiles Mission: Focuses on research and market development in specialty textiles.
• SAMARTH Program: A capacity-building initiative aimed at skilling workers in the textile sector.

Cotton Supply Mechanisms

• Minimum Support Price (MSP): Government intervention to protect cotton farmers from price fluctuations.
• Duty-Free Imports: Zero customs duty on Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton to enhance domestic availability.

Trade Agreements

• Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): India has signed 14 FTAs and 6 Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) to facilitate textile exports.

Support Schemes

• Remission of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) and Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP): Aimed at making Indian textiles globally competitive and promoting zero-rated exports.
• Quality Control Orders (QCOs): Implemented to protect domestic producers from substandard textile imports.

Innovation and Research

• Innovation Challenges: Conducted in collaboration with Startup India to promote sustainable textile solutions, including textile waste recycling.

Import Regulations

• Minimum Import Price (MIP): Implemented to curb imports of low-quality knitted fabrics and safeguard domestic production.

Key Data Summary

Parameter	Data
Textile Export Growth (April-Dec 2024)	7% increase
Global Share in Textile Exports	4%
Key Markets (FY 2023-24)	USA, EU, UK (53% of total exports)
FTAs Signed	14
Preferential Trade Agreements	6
Zero Customs Duty on ELS Cotton	Yes
Textile Infrastructure Development Scheme	PM MITRA Parks
Production Incentive Scheme	PLI Scheme for MMF & Technical Textiles
Skill Development Initiative	SAMARTH Program

These initiatives highlight the Indian government’s commitment to strengthening the textile industry and sustaining its global competitiveness.