SYLLABUS

GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment

Context: Recently, the Union government has approved the Textiles Focused Research, Assessment, Monitoring, Planning and Start-up (Tex-RAMPS) Scheme to strengthen research, innovation, and competitiveness in the textiles sector.

About the Scheme

• Funding and Time frame: With a total outlay of ₹305 crore for the period 2025-26 to 2030-31, the scheme will function as a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Ministry of Textiles.
• Research & Innovation: The scheme promotes advanced research and development in smart textiles, sustainable and circular textiles, process-efficient manufacturing, emerging technologies, and other cutting-edge areas of textiles and technical textiles.
• Data, Analytics & Diagnostics: The scheme aims to develop a strong data infrastructure, including employment assessments, supply-chain mapping, and expanding the “India-Size” study to generate solid evidence for policymaking.
• Integrated Textiles Statistical System (ITSS): It aims to create a real-time, integrated data and analytics platform that enables continuous monitoring, strategic planning, and evidence-based decision-making throughout the textile ecosystem.
• Capacity Building & Knowledge Dissemination: It enhance state-level capabilities, share best practices among textile clusters, and organize training workshops and sectoral events to improve human resources and institutional strength.
• Support for Start-ups, Incubators & Industry-Academia Collaboration: The scheme aims to foster textile start-ups, incubators, hackathons, and partnerships between academia and industry to drive innovation in technical textiles, sustainable materials, and other high-value ventures.

Significance of the Scheme

• Boost to Innovation & Global Competitiveness: The scheme drives research and development in smart and technical textiles. This helps India climb the value chain and become a leader in innovative textile production.
• Evidence-Based Policy and Planning: Better data collection, analytics, and real-time monitoring through ITSS make policies sharper.
• Employment, Quality & Sustainability Gains: Focus on green processes and materials creates jobs in design, research, manufacturing, and startups. It also improves product quality and protects the environment.
• Stronger Institutions and State Capacity: The plan links states, industry, academia, and government to cut fragmentation. This balances regional growth and builds better research setups.
• Future Ready: The scheme is aligned with the upcoming Finance Commission cycle and is designed to “future-proof” the textiles and apparel ecosystem by addressing long-standing gaps in research, data systems and innovation support.

Other Initiatives to Boost Textile Sector 

• PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme: 

• It was launched to create seven mega textile parks across states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. 
• Each park offers world-class infrastructure, attracting over Rs 70,000 crore in investments and generating 1 lakh direct jobs per park through public-private partnerships.

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: 

• It provides Rs 10,683 crore incentives for MMF apparel, fabrics, and technical textiles to boost manufacturing and exports. 
• It targets new investments of at least Rs 100 crore, prioritizing backward areas for job creation and Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals.

• SAMARTH Scheme: 

• It focuses on skilling unskilled workers in garments, knitting, processing, and traditional sectors like handlooms and jute. 
• It offers NSQF-compliant training for job creation across the textile value chain, excluding spinning and weaving.

• National Technical Textiles Mission: 

• It aims to position India as a global leader in technical textiles through research in specialty fibres and geotextiles. 
• It promotes innovation, market development, exports, and skill training across 12 segments for inclusive growth. 

Sources:
News on Air.Gov
DD News
PIB