India Reduces Import Dependency in Textile Sector by 13.9%
India is making significant strides in reducing its import dependency in the textile and apparel sector. Recent reforms have led to a 13.9% decrease in imports during the period of April to December 2025 compared to the previous year. During this timeframe, India imported textiles and apparel, including ready-made garments, from Bangladesh valued at USD 705.4 million.
India’s Growing Export Profile
As of 2024, India stands as the world’s sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparel. The country recorded impressive exports totaling USD 27.3 billion from April to December 2025. This growth is noted across more than 100 export destinations, showcasing India’s enhanced market penetration and export diversification efforts.
Government Initiatives to Boost Competitiveness
The Government of India has launched various key policy initiatives aimed at bolstering textile and apparel exports. Among these are 16 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) designed to reduce trade barriers and simplify procedures, enhancing competitiveness in global markets. Notably, the recent India-Oman FTA and the ongoing negotiations with New Zealand and the European Union are set to further improve market access for Indian exports.
Key Schemes and Programs
Several initiatives highlight the government’s commitment to enhancing the domestic textile sector. The PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme aims to establish a modern textile infrastructure. Additionally, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme focuses on boosting large-scale manufacturing in the fields of man-made fiber fabric, apparel, and technical textiles.
The National Technical Textiles Mission is dedicated to research, innovation, and market development. Other important programs include the SAMARTH scheme for capacity building, Silk Samagra-2 for sericulture development, and the National Handloom Development Program to support the handloom sector. Furthermore, the Ministry of Textiles is implementing the National Handicrafts Development Programme to promote craftsmanship throughout the country.
Supporting Exporters with Financial Assistance
To support exporters, especially in the MSME sector, the Government has introduced the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE). This initiative offers 100% credit guarantee coverage by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited for financial institutions lending to eligible exporters.
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