The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Textiles, has completed five years of operation. Envisioned to make India a global hub for technical textiles by 2025–26, the mission is driving innovation, research, market expansion, and skill development across multiple industries.

What are Technical Textiles?

• Technical textiles refer to functional fabrics specifically engineered for non-aesthetic purposes where performance is the key criterion.

• These textiles use natural or synthetic fibers and serve a wide range of industrial applications such as:

  • Defence and military (e.g., bulletproof vests, fire-retardant gear)

  • Healthcare (e.g., PPE kits, sanitary napkins, wound dressings)

  • Infrastructure and construction (e.g., geotextiles, roofing materials)

  • Automotive (e.g., seat belts, airbags, upholstery)

  • Agriculture (e.g., crop covers, shade nets)

  • Others: Mosquito nets, helmets, tents, filter fabrics, etc.

India is currently the 5th largest producer of technical textiles globally and is rapidly scaling up its market share.

 About the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)

• Launched: In 2020 for a duration of 6 years (2020–21 to 2025–26)

• Implemented by: Ministry of Textiles

• Objective: To strengthen India’s position in global technical textiles value chains, boost domestic capabilities, and promote sustainable growth in high-performance fabrics.

 Key Pillars of the Mission:

1. Research & Development

   • Support for cutting-edge R&D in new fibers and composites like carbon fiber, aramid, and high-performance polymers

   • Promotion of indigenous innovations through institutions and industry collaboration

2. Market Development & Promotion

   • Expansion of domestic demand for technical textiles

   • Creation of awareness among users and policy-level stakeholders

3. Export Promotion

   • Enhancing India's share in the global technical textile market (estimated at USD 260 billion+ in 2023)

   • Policy support for value-added exports

4. Education, Training & Skill Development

   • Training of 50,000 skilled professionals under sector-specific courses

   • Collaboration with premier institutions like NIFT, IITs, and Textile Research Associations

 Related Government Schemes Supporting the Textile Ecosystem:

PM MITRA Park Scheme

• Full Name: PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA)

• Aims to develop 7 integrated textile parks under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode via Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).

• Offers plug-and-play infrastructure including design studios, testing labs, common facilities, and sustainable processing units.

• Inspired by the 5F Vision:

  • Farm → Fibre → Factory → Fashion → Foreign

• Objectives:

  • Reduce logistics costs

  • Improve value chain competitiveness

  • Generate lakhs of direct and indirect jobs

Other Key Textile Sector Schemes:

• ATUFS (Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme): Provides subsidies for upgrading textile machinery and infrastructure.

• SITP (Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks): Supports infrastructure development for textile clusters.

• SAMARTH Scheme: A skill development program for the organized and unorganized textile and apparel sectors.

• Power-Tex India: Supports the power loom sector through modernization, solar power, and capacity-building.