Context: The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) introduced by the Ministry of Textiles in 2020 with ₹1,480 crore in total funding, ending in March 2026 will likely be extended by two years.
Textiles manufactured primarily for functional/technical performance rather than aesthetics. Used across sectors like infrastructure, defence, healthcare, agriculture, automobiles, sports, and environmental protection.
About the Mission
- Launched: 2020
- Duration: 2020–21 to 2023–24 (extended subsequently)
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles
- Outlay: ₹1,480 crore
- Vision: Make India a global leader in technical textiles by boosting research, manufacturing, exports and skill development.
Objectives
- Promote indigenous manufacturing and reduce import dependence.
- Strengthen R&D and innovation ecosystem.
- Expand domestic consumption and export competitiveness.
- Create skilled manpower and promote industry–academia linkages.
Key Components / Pillars
1. Research, Innovation and Development
- Funding for fibre-level and application-level research.
- Focus on high-performance and smart textiles.
- Collaboration with IITs, CSIR labs, DRDO and academic institutions.
2. Promotion and Market Development
- Support for pilot projects and demonstration centres.
- Encourages adoption of technical textiles in:
- Roads (geotextiles)
- Healthcare (medical textiles)
- Agriculture (agro-textiles)
- Mandatory usage promoted in certain infrastructure projects.
3. Export Promotion
- Aims to increase India’s share in the global technical textiles market.
- Branding, standards compliance and market access initiatives.
- Integration with PLI Scheme for Textiles (MMF & Technical Textiles).
4. Education, Training and Skill Development
- Introduction of technical textile courses in universities and institutes.
- Upskilling of workforce and entrepreneurs.
- Development of testing, certification and standardisation infrastructure.
Major Application Segments
Geotextiles – roads, railways, embankments
- Meditech – PPE kits, surgical gowns, implants
- Agrotech – crop covers, shade nets
- Mobiltech – airbags, seat belts
- Defencetech – bulletproof jackets, camouflage gear
- Protech – fire-retardant clothing
Significance
- Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
- Enhances infrastructure durability and disaster resilience.
- Boosts high-value manufacturing and exports.
- Generates skilled employment in sunrise sectors.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
